5 Magical Ideas for Hosting an Elf Visit at Home or School

An elf visit is one of the most exciting ways to bring festive magic into your home, school, or community event. Whether they’re acting as Santa’s cheeky messengers or helping Father Christmas prepare for the big day, professional elves are experts at capturing children’s imaginations and creating memories that last long after Christmas has passed.

At Hire a Santa, we work with fully trained, DBS-checked Santas and elves who know how to adapt to any setting — from a cosy family living room to a bustling school hall. If you’re planning an elf visit this year, here are five ideas to make it truly magical.

1. Create an Official “Arrival from the North Pole” Experience
Set the tone for your elf visit with a grand entrance. Professional elves are skilled at building excitement from the moment they arrive, so work with them to stage a believable North Pole arrival.

At home, this might mean a knock at the door, jingling bells, and an elf carrying a small sack of letters or gifts from Santa. In a school setting, your elf could “arrive” straight from the playground, explaining they’ve just landed with Santa’s sleigh parked nearby.

The key is to create a sense of wonder and authenticity. Professional performers know how to stay in character, answer tricky questions, and make children feel like they’ve met a real elf.

2. Run Interactive Festive Games and Activities
An elf visit is the perfect opportunity to mix fun with festive magic. Professional elves come prepared with activities that work for different age groups and group sizes.

At home, you might enjoy:

Elf Treasure Hunts — hide small treats or notes from Santa around the house.

Reindeer Ring Toss — a silly but fun game using antler headbands and rings.

Snowball Races — cotton wool balls and spoons for a safe, indoor race.

In schools, games can be adapted for larger groups:

North Pole Quiz Time — questions about reindeer, Christmas traditions, and Santa’s workshop.

Elf Training School — obstacle courses where children “train” to be Santa’s helpers.

Professional Santas and elves know how to keep these games moving, keep everyone involved, and ensure children feel confident to join in.

3. Share Personalised Messages from Santa
One of the most memorable parts of an elf visit is delivering special messages from Father Christmas himself. Professional elves can arrive with:

Handwritten letters from Santa

Certificates for “making the nice list”

Little gifts with a note from the man in red

Parents and teachers can provide details in advance so the messages feel truly personal. Imagine a child’s face when the elf mentions their pet’s name, their favourite toy, or something kind they did this year — that’s the magic you get when you work with trained performers.

4. Include Storytelling and Singing
Professional elves are natural entertainers, and many have theatre or performance backgrounds. This makes them ideal for leading a festive sing-along or reading a Christmas story in character.

At home, this could be a bedtime visit where the elf reads a North Pole bedtime tale before delivering a special early Christmas gift.

In schools, a storytelling session can be followed by carols or interactive songs where children join in with actions.

Not only does this create a magical atmosphere, but it also allows the elf to engage with children in a calmer, more focused way after the initial excitement of their arrival.

5. Combine the Elf Visit with a Santa Appearance

For the ultimate festive experience, combine your elf visit with a professional Santa. The elf can act as a warm-up act — building anticipation before Father Christmas himself arrives.

This works brilliantly for:

School Christmas parties

Community events

Family gatherings

The elf can introduce Santa, help manage the queue for photos, and hand out gifts — all while keeping children entertained. Working with professional performers ensures the transition between elf and Santa is seamless and magical from start to finish.

Why Professional Santas and Elves Make All the Difference

While it might be tempting to dress up a friend or colleague, professional Santas and elves bring a level of authenticity, training, and reliability that simply can’t be matched by a borrowed costume.

At Hire a Santa, our performers:

Are DBS-checked for your peace of mind

Have experience with children of all ages and abilities

Stay in character and keep the magic believable

Adapt to home, school, or event environments with ease

By choosing trained professionals, you’re not just hiring someone in costume — you’re creating a polished, engaging, and truly magical experience for every child involved.

Make This Christmas Truly Magical

Hosting an elf visit is a wonderful way to add excitement and joy to the festive season, whether it’s at home, in school, or as part of a community celebration. With a little planning, and the support of professional Santas and elves, you can create an unforgettable experience that children will talk about for years to come.

If you’re ready to bring some North Pole magic to your event, Hire a Santa can help you find the perfect performers nationwide. Because nothing says “Christmas magic” like meeting the real Santa’s helpers.