Elf on the Shelf is a Christmas tradition built around a Scout Elf who watches your family by day and flies back to the North Pole each night. The tradition starts with a boxed set, and then the choices are the elf, the extras and the little helpers that make each morning scene easier. This page compares eight picks across sets, accessories and a plush.
Every pick below comes from its Amazon listing, with the rating and the number of ratings. We say plainly where ratings look shared across a listing, where an elf is not included, and where a count is small.
Best official boxed set: The Elf on the Shelf Girl Light
Best official boxed set: the Elf on the Shelf Girl Light, because it puts the Scout Elf in a keepsake box with the adoption certificate and storybook, and it has the most ratings of any set here.
The listing describes a Scout Elf in a keepsake box with an official adoption certificate and a storybook that explains the tradition. It says the elf returns to the North Pole every night to report to Santa, that you name your elf, and that you find the elf in a new spot each morning, sometimes in silly scenes. It holds 4.8 stars from 15,016 ratings, the most of any set on this page.
It suits a family starting the tradition for the first time, or a child whose elf needs replacing. The honest catch: it is the Girl Light version only, and the 15,016 ratings look shared across the variants of this listing, so they are not about the girl elf alone.
Best official set with a snowflake skirt: The Elf on the Shelf Girl Elf Edition
Best official set with a snowflake skirt: the Elf on the Shelf Girl Elf Edition, because it pairs a blue eyed girl elf with a girl themed storybook and a snowflake skirt.
The listing title describes the North Pole blue eyed girl elf, a girl character themed storybook and a snowflake skirt. It calls the set a brand new item and a tradition the whole family can enjoy. It holds 4.8 stars from 3,711 ratings.
It suits a family who wants the girl elf with a ready outfit in the box. The honest catch: it is one of the dearer sets here, and the listing says little beyond the title and a few general lines about the tradition.
Best boy Scout Elf set: The Elf on the Shelf 20th Anniversary Edition
Best boy Scout Elf set: the Elf on the Shelf 20th Anniversary Edition, because it has the first flex and bend elf, a pyjama set and an ornament, and the highest rating of the full sets here.
The listing describes a posable boy Scout Elf with blue eyes and the first ever flex and bend limbs for easy elf scenes. The box set adds the 20th edition storybook, a keepsake box, an adoption certificate, a limited edition luxury loungewear pyjama set and an ornament keepsake. A QR code in the packaging links to ways to celebrate. It holds 4.9 stars from 321 ratings.
It suits families who want a boy elf, or a collector marking the anniversary. The honest catch: it is a limited edition with blue eyes only, and 321 ratings is far fewer than the top sets.
Best dark skin tone Scout Elf set: The Elf on the Shelf Girl Dark Tone
Best dark skin tone Scout Elf set: the Elf on the Shelf Girl Dark Tone, because it is the same Scout Elf, adoption certificate and storybook set as the Girl Light, in the Dark Tone version.
The listing title says it includes the doll, book and box, and the description matches the Girl Light set: a Scout Elf in a keepsake box with an official adoption certificate and a storybook. It holds 4.8 stars from 3,059 ratings.
It suits a family who wants a Scout Elf with a dark skin tone. The honest catch: it is a girl elf only, and the ratings may be shared with other styles of the same listing.
Best add on pet: Elf Pets Arctic Fox Tradition
Best add on pet: Elf Pets Arctic Fox Tradition, because it adds an arctic fox cub, a storybook and a glow in the dark snow globe beside your Scout Elf.
The listing describes a beautifully illustrated storybook, an adorable arctic fox cub, glow in the dark snow in a snow globe and an official adoption certificate. It holds 4.8 stars from 7,221 ratings.
It suits a family that already has a Scout Elf and wants a second character. The honest catch: it is a pet and a book, not a Scout Elf, so it does not start the tradition by itself, and the ratings are shared across other Elf Pets styles.
Best accessory set for winter scenes: Claus Couture Totally Tubular Snow Set
Best accessory set for winter scenes: the Claus Couture Totally Tubular Snow Set, because the snow tube, earmuffs and scarf give the elf a ready made sliding scene.
The listing describes a three piece set for boy or girl elves: a snowflake spangled inflatable snow tube, fleecy earmuffs and an extra long, cosy scarf. It says you place the set where your Scout Elf can see it and the elf will use it to create a scene. It holds 4.7 stars from 1,186 ratings.
It suits families who want easy elf scenes without planning each one. The honest catch: it is clothing and props only, so you need a Scout Elf from another set.
Best outfit: Claus Couture Yeti Hoodie Set
Best outfit: the Claus Couture Yeti Hoodie Set, because it dresses the elf in a yeti character hoodie with sculpted yeti slippers.
The listing describes a hoodie with the signature blue heart and the look of the North Pole SnoBiggie yeti, plus soft plastic yeti slippers that are sculpted to look like real yeti feet. It holds 4.7 stars from 177 ratings, a smaller count than most picks here.
It suits a family who wants to dress the elf for the morning surprise. The honest catch: the listing says the Scout Elf is not included, and the ratings sit on a parent listing with other styles.
Best cuddly elf for small kids: Plushee Pals Snuggler Girl
Best cuddly elf for small kids: the Elf on the Shelf Plushee Pals Snuggler Girl, because it is a soft toy version of a Scout Elf that can be held and played with.
The listing describes a cuddly Snuggler of about 30 cm that is a toy version of a North Pole Scout Elf, made of soft plush for children aged 3 and up. It holds 4.7 stars from 1,485 ratings.
It suits children aged 3 and up who want a soft elf to hug. The honest catch: the listing says it is not the original Elf on the Shelf but a companion for your little one, so it is not the tradition set, and the ratings come from a parent listing with other Snuggler styles.
How to choose an Elf on the Shelf
Start with a boxed set
The elf is what makes the tradition, so buy a set that includes the Scout Elf before any extras. The Girl Light, Girl Elf Edition, 20th Anniversary and Girl Dark Tone sets all include an elf. The snow set, the yeti hoodie and Elf Pets do not start the tradition on their own, and the yeti listing says the Scout Elf is not included.
Girl, boy and skin tone
Each set here is one version of the elf. The Girl Light, Girl Elf Edition and Girl Dark Tone sets are girl elves, and the 20th Anniversary Edition is a boy elf with blue eyes. If you want a different version from these, check the listing title before you buy, because the set you see is one version of a wider range.
Reading the ratings
The top set holds 4.8 stars from 15,016 ratings, and its ratings look shared across the variants of that listing. Counts on the other Scout Elf sets are also shared in places, so treat them as a sign of a trusted set, not as a score for one elf. The 20th Anniversary Edition has the highest rating of the full sets at 4.9, but from only 321 ratings.
What is in the box
The boxed sets differ in what comes with the elf. The Girl Light set lists a keepsake box, an adoption certificate and a storybook. The 20th Anniversary Edition adds a pyjama set, an ornament and a QR code in the packaging. The Girl Elf Edition adds a snowflake skirt. Choose by what you want to open on the first night.
Ready made scenes and extras
The morning scene is the fun part of this tradition. The Snow Set gives the elf a snow tube, earmuffs and a scarf, and the yeti hoodie gives it an outfit. The 20th Anniversary elf has flex and bend limbs for easy poses. For props around the house, our Christmas decorations guide has ideas to set the scene.
For younger children
The Plushee Pals Snuggler is the pick for small children who want a soft elf to hold, and the listing gives ages 3 and up. It is a companion, not the original elf, so it pairs well with a boxed set. More soft toys are in our plush toy guide.
Using it as a gift
A boxed set is a gift in its own right, and the smaller extras suit stockings. Our stocking fillers guide lists more small gifts that fit.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best Elf on the Shelf to buy in Australia?
The Elf on the Shelf Girl Light is our top pick: it has the Scout Elf in a keepsake box with an adoption certificate and storybook, and holds 4.8 stars from 15,016 ratings. For a boy elf choose the 20th Anniversary Edition, and for a dark skin tone choose the Girl Dark Tone set.
What are the rules around Elf on the Shelf?
The listings describe a simple routine. You name your elf, which gives it Christmas magic to fly to the North Pole each night, and you find it in a new spot each morning. The Girl Light listing says the elf reports to Santa nightly. The Plushee Pals listing says its plush elf has no magic and can be played with.
Does Elf on the Shelf have a book?
Yes. The Girl Light listing says each box set comes with a storybook that explains the tradition and the work Scout Elves do for Santa. The 20th Anniversary Edition has a newly updated storybook, the Girl Elf Edition has a girl themed one, and Elf Pets Arctic Fox Tradition has its own illustrated book.
What is the story behind the Elf on the Shelf?
Per the Girl Light listing, Scout Elves are Santa's helpers who watch your family by day and fly home each night to report. The storybook in each box set explains the tradition. The 20th Anniversary Edition listing says the tradition has brought festive fun to families for two decades.
Is there an Elf on the Shelf girl and an Elf on the Shelf boy?
Yes. The Girl Light, Girl Elf Edition and Girl Dark Tone sets are girl elves, and the 20th Anniversary Edition is a posable boy Scout Elf with blue eyes. The boy set has 4.9 stars from 321 ratings, a smaller count than the 15,016 behind the Girl Light set.
What are easy Elf on the Shelf ideas?
Start with a ready made scene. The Claus Couture Snow Set has a snow tube, earmuffs and a scarf, and the listing says the elf will use it to create a scene. The Yeti Hoodie Set dresses the elf up, and the 20th Anniversary elf has flex and bend limbs for easy poses.
What Elf on the Shelf accessories are worth buying?
Elf Pets Arctic Fox Tradition adds a fox cub, storybook and glow in the dark snow globe, with 4.8 stars from 7,221 ratings. The Snow Set and the Yeti Hoodie Set dress and pose the elf. None of them includes a Scout Elf, so buy a boxed set first.
What is a cheap Elf on the Shelf gift for a young child?
The Plushee Pals Snuggler Girl is the lowest priced pick here and a soft toy version of a Scout Elf, for ages 3 and up per the listing. It is a companion, not the original elf, so choose a boxed set such as the Girl Light if you want the tradition.
Does the elf leave on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day?
The listings give no leaving date, so families set their own. The Girl Light listing says the Scout Elf returns to the North Pole every night until Christmas Eve, when Santa decides on presents or coal, so Christmas Eve is the last report in the story. The 20th Anniversary set follows the same orders from Santa.
