The month of December is coming to a close. For many parents, this means staging a dramatic exit for the family elf.

Started by Carol Aebersold and her daughter Chanda Bell back in 2005, Elf on the Shelf has become a global phenomenon – and also a source of stress for many parents. 

If you've been doing this long enough, it's possible your creative juices are dripping dry. Thank goodness for social media, right?

If creating an exit strategy for your elf is hard this year, we're here to help. Here are some ideas to get your pest, we mean friend, out the door.

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When does Elf on the Shelf leave?

While Scout Elves may arrive a different times, they all must leave on Christmas Eve so they can get back to the North Pole and start getting ready next year.

Elf on the Shelf goodbye letters

A simple way for your elf to say goodbye is to find a printable letter and simply tuck your elf in next to it. There are so many to choose from online. Here are some we found:

• Download a Free, Printable Letter from the Elf on the Shelf website
• Elf on the Shelf goodbye letter templates from Homemade Gifts
• Elf on the Shelf goodbye letter ideas on Pinterest
• 20 fun departure letters from this blog site
• Elf printable Elf on the Shelf goodbye letters on Romper

Fun and easy Elf on the Shelf goodbye ideas

For those looking for the easy way out, simply write your goodbye on a post-it note.

Grab some textured snow spray and write a message on a window of your house.

Have your elf sitting in the Christmas tree holding a goodbye sign or sitting on a paper airplane.

Type a letter from your elf with its picture at the top for your child to cherish until next time.

Set your elf on top of a tissue box and stage it to look as if the elf has been crying. Tuck a goodbye letter under the edge of the box.

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Have your elf leave a departure gift along with a goodbye note.

Have your elf leave the ingredients for Santa's cookies for the family to make on Christmas Eve night.

Stage a candy cane scavenger hunt for your last day.

If your Elf on the Shelf narrative is that it hitches a ride back with Santa on Christmas Eve (and thus doesn't need any magic to get home), then break the no-touch rule for one night. Let your kids hug and hold the elf.

Need a laugh after all of this elf madness? Join these other parents in some elf venting: 12 hilarious Elf on the Shelf parent rants.

No matter what you choose to end this year, just remember that it's enough, and so are you.

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