Most families send their Elf on the Shelf “home” on Christmas Eve night, after the elf has finished reporting to Santa and the presents are on their way.

Quick scoop: when the elf goes home

For the classic Elf on the Shelf story, the elf’s official job ends the night before Christmas, on December 24. The idea is that once Santa has all the reports and starts his big trip, the elf hops back to the North Pole with him.

Typical timing in most homes

Many households quietly “retire” the elf after kids go to bed on Christmas Eve, so by Christmas morning the elf is gone and back at the North Pole. Some families keep the elf out through Christmas Day and let them “fly home” that night instead, but Christmas Eve is the most commonly suggested rule.

Little variations families use

Parents sometimes tweak the tradition a bit:

  • Elf leaves on Christmas Eve night with Santa’s sleigh.
  • Elf stays through Christmas Day, then disappears that night after all the festivities.
  • Elf lingers a few extra days (for example until December 26 or until the tree comes down) if the family wants a longer visit.

All of these still fit the basic idea that the elf only visits during the Christmas season and then goes home to the North Pole until next year.

TL;DR: The elf usually goes home on Christmas Eve night with Santa, but some families choose Christmas night or a day or two after, as long as the elf is gone once the holiday season wraps up.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.