Elf!

The Elf traditionally arrives on December 1st, often bringing along an advent calendar to count down to Christmas. He could also arrive when you put up your Christmas tree, or two weeks before Christmas, or at the start of the Christmas holidays. He may arrive in a basket on the doorstep, or underneath the Christmas tree, or be sat on the mantle with the advent calendars.. The Elf arrives with his Elf passport, stamped for his visit. He will also bring with him a letter from Santa, introducing him to your family, or giving a little update on what he has been doing over the year if he has visited before. It will explain where the Elf needs to stay, and that he is not a toy to be played with, he is a real little Elf! Or Santa may have sent a letter ahead of his visit to 'warn' the children that the Elf is on his way. Santa may have sent the Elf to report back to him on their behaviour. If he has, it will be explained in the letter that the Elf will be watching over them and letting Santa know if they're being naughty or nice. The Elf will also bring an Elf notebook with him. This may be used to report back to Santa, or it may just be used to make notes on his stay. He may write in it overnight, detailing what he has been up to that day and leaving any messages for the children. The children can also leave messages for the Elf which he will answer overnight. He may also bring a sleeping bag, which he needs to be returned to every night (he likes it best to sleep under the Christmas tree). He may also bring some magic snow, which he likes to keep by him to remind him of home. Elves get up to all kinds of mischief during the night, and you should look hard for them in the morning as they will often not be where you left them! On December 24th, the Christmas Elf needs to be packed up and ready to go. He may wait in a stocking, or next to Santa's cookies and milk, or under the Christmas tree, but he should be ready to go when Santa gets there! He often delivers a Christmas Eve Hamper as a parting gift to share with the family before he leaves.