Elf Pets are the official companion line to The Elf on the Shelf, made by The Lumistella Company. Three plush characters: a Reindeer (introduced 2011), a Saint Bernard (2014), and an Arctic Fox (2018). Each comes with its own storybook and a unique role in the Christmas magic — the Reindeer powers Santa's sleigh with cheer, the Saint Bernard rescues the Christmas spirit, and the Arctic Fox brings frost magic to bring the snow on time.

When should an Elf Pet arrive?

Most families bring an Elf Pet mid-December (around the 10th-15th) as a second wave of magic — gives the elf a friend for the back half of the season. A few families introduce them on December 1st alongside the elf. Either works; mid-December is more dramatic because it gives the kids a fresh surprise when the holiday energy is starting to peak.

Can the Elf Pet be touched?

Yes — and this is the key difference from the Scout Elf. Elf Pets are explicitly snugglable. The official line: kids can hold them, hug them, take them to bed. This makes them especially good for younger toddlers who don't quite understand the no-touching rule and would otherwise feel rejected by the regular elf.

Which Elf Pet should I get first?

For families with younger kids (toddlers and early elementary), start with the Saint Bernard — it's the largest of the three and the easiest to cuddle. For families with kids who already love reindeer or animal-themed things, the Reindeer fits the canon best. The Arctic Fox is the newest and a great fit for families in cold-climate areas where kids have an emotional relationship with snow.

Does my Scout Elf interact with the Elf Pet?

Yes — the magic of having both is the photo and scene possibilities. The Scout Elf can be set up "leading" the pet (a tinsel leash, a tiny sled), pranking the pet (drawing on its face with marker — but lightly), or napping with it. Scenes with both characters tend to be the most photogenic of the season.

What's the storyline for each Elf Pet?

Each comes with its own storybook explaining its role: the Reindeer (small, plush) helps power Santa's sleigh by collecting Christmas cheer from kids; the Saint Bernard (larger, fluffier) is a Christmas-spirit rescue dog; the Arctic Fox brings frost-magic that ensures snow falls on time around the world. Reading the book on arrival night is part of the ritual.

Are Elf Pets worth it?

Worth it if your kids are deeply into the Scout Elf and ready for more. Not worth it as a "fix" if the original elf isn't landing — adding more characters won't rescue an underwhelming season. Best ROI: families with multiple kids close in age (each kid can have "their" pet), or families in year 3+ where the original elf has lost some surprise factor.

Elf Pets: The Companion Line

Elf Pets are the official plush companions to your Scout Elf. Three characters, each with its own storyline, all touchable (unlike the Scout Elf). Here's what each one does, when to introduce them, and how families actually use them through the season.

The Reindeer (2011)

The original Elf Pet. A small plush reindeer that "collects Christmas cheer" from the family — the more cheer in the house, the more flying power Santa's sleigh has on Christmas Eve. The North Pole legend ties the pet to a tangible, family-wide responsibility, which gives the pet a bigger purpose than just being a toy.

Best for: families who want the canonical companion. Kids who love reindeer specifically. Smallest of the three — best for younger kids who'll carry it everywhere.

The Saint Bernard (2014)

A larger, fluffier plush. The story: Saint Bernards are Christmas-spirit rescue dogs, sent from the North Pole to homes where the family needs a little extra magic. Lands well as a "second-year" Elf Pet for families who want something snugglier than the Reindeer.

Best for: toddlers and early elementary kids who want a real snuggle plush. Largest of the three. The "rescue dog" framing makes it especially meaningful for families who've had a hard year — the dog "showed up because they needed it."

The Arctic Fox (2018)

The newest. White and silver plush; the legend says Arctic Foxes deliver frost magic, ensuring snow falls on time around the world. Smaller than the Saint Bernard, larger than the Reindeer.

Best for: families in cold-climate areas where kids have a relationship with winter weather. Year-three families who already have the Reindeer or Saint Bernard. Kids who like fantasy/fairy-tale aesthetic — the frost-magic story has the most "fairy" energy of the three.

When to introduce an Elf Pet

The most common arrival timing is mid-December (around the 10th–15th) as a second wave of magic. The setup: a wrapped box delivered with a letter from Santa, the Scout Elf "introducing" the new friend, and a copy of the pet's storybook left out for bedtime reading. It refreshes the season's energy when kids are starting to know what to expect.

Some families pair the introduction with a service activity — the Saint Bernard as a "rescue dog" pairs naturally with a food-bank run; the Reindeer as a "cheer collector" pairs with a kindness challenge.

Photogenic scenes with both

Half the value of an Elf Pet is the scene possibilities once you have both characters. The most-shared setups:

The leash walk. Scout Elf "walking" the pet on a tinsel leash through the kitchen. Universal cuteness.
The sled team. Pet pulling a tiny sled (an Amazon box lid works) with the Scout Elf riding behind.
The story circle. Pet seated in a ring of stuffed animals while Scout Elf "reads" them the pet's storybook.
The bath. Pet in a sink full of cotton-ball "snow"; Scout Elf with a tiny toothbrush "scrubbing."
The nap. Both characters tucked into a tissue-box bed under a washcloth blanket.

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Frequently asked questions

What are Elf Pets?: Elf Pets are the official companion line to The Elf on the Shelf, made by The Lumistella Company. Three plush characters: a Reindeer (introduced 2011), a Saint Bernard (2014), and an Arctic Fox (2018). Each comes with its own storybook and a unique role in the Christmas magic — the Reindeer powers Santa's sleigh with cheer, the Saint Bernard rescues the Christmas spirit, and the Arctic Fox brings frost magic to bring the snow on time.
When should an Elf Pet arrive?: Most families bring an Elf Pet mid-December (around the 10th-15th) as a second wave of magic — gives the elf a friend for the back half of the season. A few families introduce them on December 1st alongside the elf. Either works; mid-December is more dramatic because it gives the kids a fresh surprise when the holiday energy is starting to peak.
Can the Elf Pet be touched?: Yes — and this is the key difference from the Scout Elf. Elf Pets are explicitly snugglable. The official line: kids can hold them, hug them, take them to bed. This makes them especially good for younger toddlers who don't quite understand the no-touching rule and would otherwise feel rejected by the regular elf.
Which Elf Pet should I get first?: For families with younger kids (toddlers and early elementary), start with the Saint Bernard — it's the largest of the three and the easiest to cuddle. For families with kids who already love reindeer or animal-themed things, the Reindeer fits the canon best. The Arctic Fox is the newest and a great fit for families in cold-climate areas where kids have an emotional relationship with snow.
Does my Scout Elf interact with the Elf Pet?: Yes — the magic of having both is the photo and scene possibilities. The Scout Elf can be set up "leading" the pet (a tinsel leash, a tiny sled), pranking the pet (drawing on its face with marker — but lightly), or napping with it. Scenes with both characters tend to be the most photogenic of the season.
What's the storyline for each Elf Pet?: Each comes with its own storybook explaining its role: the Reindeer (small, plush) helps power Santa's sleigh by collecting Christmas cheer from kids; the Saint Bernard (larger, fluffier) is a Christmas-spirit rescue dog; the Arctic Fox brings frost-magic that ensures snow falls on time around the world. Reading the book on arrival night is part of the ritual.
Are Elf Pets worth it?: Worth it if your kids are deeply into the Scout Elf and ready for more. Not worth it as a "fix" if the original elf isn't landing — adding more characters won't rescue an underwhelming season. Best ROI: families with multiple kids close in age (each kid can have "their" pet), or families in year 3+ where the original elf has lost some surprise factor.