Elf on the shelf question

[Zeeky]

This is our first year of it & I have got the official boxed one from Amazon. I don't want to open the box & taken everything out as want the children to do that, so I don't actually know what is in it. Is it just the elf and book or is there a letter in there too explaining who the elf is? I have seen lots of sample letters on Pinterest so was wondering if I need to print one off? Does the elf come with a name or do we name him?

I was planning on the elf arriving on Dec 1st, having filled the advent calendars (we have reusable ones) with treats overnight.

There's no letter, but I find the book is a good enough explanation of who he is. Also when you get to the last page it tells you to choose his name, with a space to write it in and put the date.

Our elf just came with the book which I read to my boys and then they decided on his name, Larry. I need to get him down this weekend.

When we first got our Elf I wrapped the box up in brown paper and red ribbon so it was a parcel from Santa that had come down the chimney.
The girls loved unwrapping it.

elfyescapades.blogspot.co.uk/2011/12/elf-on-shelf.html

Great thanks for the info. I won't bother with the letter this year & will let the book do the ex

Oops posted too quickly!

Will let the book do the explaining. I've also got the DVD.

I also wrapped up the box (in green tissue paper, with red ribbon) for the DC to find. They had already seen the DVD, we had bought it as a spur of the moment thing, was on the discount rack in Matalan around August time! So they had got the idea from that they wanted an elf and had actually written a letter to Santa asking him to please send one.