Once a family knows The Elf on the Shelf® tradition, the next question is usually about everyone else. Who are the cuddly ones? Where does the white fox fit in? And do you need all of them?
The short answer: you do not. Each character in the Santaverse® has a different job at the North Pole, and families usually find one that suits how they like to celebrate. Here is who is who, and how to choose.
A quick guide to who is who
Santa’s trusted helpers, who visit from late November and report back to the North Pole.
Cuddly North Pole pets, each with a job that helps Santa on Christmas Eve.
Santa’s Champions of Kindness, friends from the Arctic forest who encourage good deeds all year.
Santa’s magical Arctic fox and one of his oldest friends, whose Northern Lights magic helps make Christmas Eve possible.
Scout Elves: where the tradition begins
A Scout Elf is the starting point for most families. They arrive in the lead-up to Christmas, watch over the household, and return to the North Pole each night to report to Santa.
If you are new to it, the tradition page explains how it works, and this guide covers how to tell an official Scout Elf from a look-alike. The Elf on the Shelf: A Christmas Tradition set at Santa’s Store includes the storybook and a Scout Elf.
For families who love: a magical Christmas tradition, new discoveries each morning and making memories together.
Elf Pets: cuddly, and each with a mission
Elf Pets are soft, huggable and, unlike Scout Elves, made to be cuddled. There are three, and each one plays a different part in Christmas Eve.
Elf Pets Reindeer
When Santa’s sleigh cannot lift off, he calls on his Elf Pets Reindeer. A magic heart charm worn around the neck stores the Christmas spirit that makes the sleigh soar, and children build that spirit by caring for their reindeer. More on the Elf Pets Reindeer page .
Elf Pets Saint Bernard
The Saint Bernard pup wears a barrel with a golden heart charm and gathers Christmas cheer, which is released on Christmas Eve to keep the North Pole magical. Acts of kindness are what fill the barrel. More on the Elf Pets Saint Bernard page .
Elf Pets Arctic Fox
The arctic fox cubs work with Noorah to create the Northern Lights that shield Santa on Christmas Eve, and the snow that softens his landings. More on the Elf Pets Arctic Fox page .
For families who love: something to hold on to, a gentler story, or a first character for younger children. Our Aussie guide to choosing an Elf Pet goes deeper, and the Elf Pets questions article covers the rest.
Elf Mates: Santa’s Champions of Kindness
Elf Mates are friends from the Arctic forest who help children do thoughtful things for other people – not just in December, but through the year. Each one has a trade: the Elf Mates Chef™, the Elf Mates Cobbler™ and the Elf Mates Toy Maker™.
They are the most year-round of the characters, which makes them a good fit outside the Christmas countdown. Have a look at the Elf Mates page and these Elf Mates activities for creative play .
For families who love: a kindness focus, or something that carries on after the tree comes down.
Noorah: Santa’s extraordinary Arctic fox
Noorah is Santa’s magical Arctic fox and one of his oldest friends. She lives in the Santaverse, where her Northern Lights magic helps make Christmas Eve possible. She appears in Elf Pets: A Fox Cub’s Christmas Tale, but she is not herself an Elf Pets character.
Two names come up here and they are not the same thing. Noorah is the character. Extraordinary Noorah™ is the story and experience built around her, which you can explore on the Extraordinary Noorah page and in our article about her world .
For families who love: a story-led character and something a little different from the elves.
How to choose
There is no order you have to follow, and no character you need in order to enjoy another. A rough guide:
Starting from scratch? Begin with a Scout Elf.
For younger children who want to hold something, an Elf Pet is the easier first step.
Get to know the Elf Mates and their year-round good deeds.
If you already have a Scout Elf, Noorah or an Elf Pet adds a new thread without changing what you already do.
There is more to the Santaverse
Beyond these four, the Santaverse takes in characters such as SnoBiggie® and Bogie®, plus the North Pole stories that connect them. The Santaverse page is the place to meet everyone, and the entertainment page has the specials and games.
Whichever character you choose, they all lead back to the same thing: a story your family tells together each year.