Perhaps your child has spotted a Scout Elf in a classroom cubby, seen one hiding in a neighbour’s Christmas tree, or maybe you’ve noticed these cheerful North Pole visitors popping up across Instagram and TikTok. However the magic reached you, there’s one big question parents across Canada ask every year: How do we start The Elf on the Shelf® tradition?

The good news? It’s wonderfully simple, and filled with festive charm. Since 2005, families around the world have been welcoming Santa’s official Scout Elves into their homes, and now it’s your family’s turn to experience the joy, imagination, and heart-warming memories this tradition brings.

Whether you adopt through an authorised Canadian retailer or order online while wrapped in a cosy blanket, welcoming your Scout Elf is the first step toward an unforgettable Christmas season.

Here’s everything you need to know about adopting and welcoming an official Scout Elf into your Canadian home, the authentic, Santa-approved way.

How Do I Get an Elf on the Shelf®?- The Elf on the Shelf

1. Visit an Official Elf Adoption Centre in the UK

Each Christmas season, authorised Elf on the Shelf® adoption centres appear in trusted Canadian retailers. These stores receive Santa’s North Pole Seal of Approval, meaning every box set on their shelves contains a genuine Scout Elf, trained at the official Scout Elf School of Christmas Magic.

Inside every adoption box, you’ll find:

  • a beautifully illustrated keepsake storybook explaining the tradition
  • your official Scout Elf, ready to be named
  • a special storage box for keeping them safe each year
  • your Scout Elf’s official adoption certificate

Families will often find magical displays in well-known Canadian shops, from big retailers to local specialty bookshops, especially in the lead-up to December. These displays mark the start of the season and help children feel the excitement of adopting their very own North Pole visitor.

North Pole Tip:
Only elves with the official storybook and seal are true Scout Elves. Others on shelves may be general holiday decorations that don’t carry Christmas magic.

2. Adopt Your Scout Elf Online

If you prefer shopping from the comfort of home, perhaps during a snowy evening or while sipping hot chocolate, you can adopt an official Scout Elf through Santa’s authorised Canadian online retailers.

From there, you can:

  • choose between a boy or girl Scout Elf
  • explore Claus Couture Collection® outfits
  • discover Elf Pets® companions such as the Reindeer, Arctic Fox, or Saint Bernard
  • browse accessories that spark imaginative setups throughout December

Once you complete the adoption, Santa’s helpers will carefully package your Elf and deliver them straight to your doorstep, even in the chilliest Canadian weather!

Your Scout Elf will arrive ready for their official December mission.

3. Add The Elf on the Shelf® to Your Christmas Wish List

Canadian children who love surprises can go straight to the source, Santa himself! Many families write letters to the North Pole, include The Elf on the Shelf® on their wish list, and pop the envelope into a Canada Post letterbox before the holiday cut-off.

Santa reads every letter he receives through the Canada Post Letters to Santa programme, a beloved staple across the country, and he may decide your home is the perfect place for a Scout Elf this Christmas.

It’s a magical way to make your Elf’s arrival a Christmas morning surprise.

Elf on the Shelf highlighting the attributes in an image with arrows and text

What To Do Once You Adopt a Scout Elf

Once your Scout Elf has been adopted, the real magic begins.

Start by reading the storybook together, it explains exactly how the tradition works and helps children understand why their elf is such an important part of Santa’s preparation for Christmas Eve.

Next, help your child choose a name for their new friend. Naming your Scout Elf is incredibly important, it’s what activates their Christmas magic and allows them to take flight each night to report back to Santa at the North Pole.

From then on:

  • your Scout Elf will fly home to Santa every evening
  • they will return before dawn
  • they’ll rest in a brand-new spot each morning

It’s one of the most joyful parts of the Christmas countdown: waking up and racing to find where your Scout Elf has landed.

Most Scout Elves return during Scout Elf Return Week™, usually between 24 November and 1 December, so it’s a good idea to get ready early. Set out your adoption box, storybook, and a cosy shelf, ledge, or festive nook where they can settle on their first morning.

Need inspiration for your elf’s big arrival? Visit our Elf Ideas page for charming, simple setups, from welcome breakfasts to tiny North Pole notes.