24-Day Elf on the Shelf Planner & Printable Calendar 2026
Plan every elf night from arrival to Christmas Eve in one click. Quick ideas on school nights, bigger setups on weekends, no repeats. Print it, or add it to your phone calendar.
How to use the plan
- Build the plan, then glance at the props column and pick up anything missing in one shopping trip (see the props list).
- Swap any night that doesn't suit your week (late work nights, travel, parties).
- Print it and stick it inside a kitchen cupboard, or download the .ics so your phone reminds you each evening.
- Print the arrival letter for night 1 and the goodbye letter for Christmas Eve.
FAQ
How does the elf planner work?
It builds a plan from your start date to Christmas Eve using our 172 ideas: an arrival idea on night 1, a goodbye idea on Dec 24, quick ideas on school nights and bigger ones on Fridays and Saturdays, with no repeats. Everything runs in your browser.
Can I change a single night?
Yes. Click 'Swap' on any night to replace it with a different idea that fits the same rules. Your plan is saved in this browser automatically.
Can I put the plan in my phone calendar?
Click 'Download calendar (.ics)'. It works with Google Calendar, Apple Calendar and Outlook; each night becomes an all-day event with the setup steps.
Is there a printable elf calendar for 2026?
Yes. Click 'Print calendar' to print your personalized plan for 2026 as a one-page table.