If your family already loves the magic of The Elf on the Shelf®, you may have spotted their soft, snuggly friends and wondered where they fit in. Meet the Elf Pets®: Santa’s cuddly North Pole helpers, and a lovely way to add a little more magic to your Christmas.

There are three to discover, and one question comes up more than any other: which Elf Pet should we start with? The happy answer is that there’s no wrong choice. Each one has its own special mission, and together they make a wonderful North Pole crew. Here’s everything you need to choose with confidence.

Meet the Elf Pets®: Santa’s cuddly North Pole helpers

Elf Pets® are cuddly companions, Reindeer, Arctic Foxes and Saint Bernards, on a special mission from Santa. Unlike the Scout Elf, who flies back to the North Pole each night to report on Christmas cheer, Elf Pets are made to be hugged and cherished, and they stay with your family all year long.

Each Elf Pet comes with its own beautifully illustrated storybook and is sold separately, so you can begin with one and grow your collection over time. Here’s how the three compare at a glance.

How Elf Pets fit into the Santaverse

Elf Pets are part of the Santaverse, the magical storyworld from the North Pole that’s also home to the official Scout Elf, Extraordinary Noorah and a growing cast of festive friends.

Here’s the simplest way to picture it. The Scout Elf is Santa’s reporter, watching over Christmas cheer and flying home each night. The Elf Pets are the cuddly side of the mission, friends of the Scout Elves who keep Christmas Spirit strong by gathering up the love, hope and kindness children share. They don’t report to Santa each night. Instead, they stay close all year, which is exactly why so many children keep theirs long after the festive season ends.

You don’t need a Scout Elf to welcome an Elf Pet, and you don’t need all three at once. Each one stands happily on its own.

Elf Pets® Reindeer: love that powers the sleigh

The Elf Pets Reindeer have a heartwarming job: they gather the love children share and, powered by it, grow to help Santa’s sleigh soar on Christmas Eve. For a child, that story turns every cuddle into something meaningful. The more love they give, the more magic the Reindeer holds.

That makes the Reindeer a beautiful first companion for a child who shows their feelings through hugs and closeness, and a comforting friend through the busy excitement of the festive season.

Welcomed a Reindeer? Make it official in the Reindeer Registry.

Elf Pets® Arctic Fox: hope that lights the Southern Lights

The Elf Pets Arctic Fox cubs gather hope and belief, turning even the smallest spark into the glow of the Southern Lights that helps guide Santa on his journey. It’s a gentle, powerful idea: that hope grows the more you hold onto it.

This makes the Arctic Fox a wonderful choice for a child who’s facing something new, a first swim, a new class next year, a big adventure. Having their cub close gives them something steady to hold while they find their courage.

Say hello to your cub in the Arctic Fox Registry.

Elf Pets® Saint Bernard: kindness that keeps Christmas glowing

The Elf Pets Saint Bernard pups carry acts of kindness in their barrels and deliver them back to the North Pole, helping keep Christmas magic glowing. For children, that turns kindness into something joyful and rewarding, rather than just a rule.

The summer holidays are full of chances to share some: helping a younger sibling, sharing the last icy pole, or passing on outgrown toys. The Saint Bernard is a steady, reassuring companion for a child with a caring heart.

Register your pup in the Saint Bernard Registry.

So, which Elf Pet should you start with?

If you’d like a simple way in, choose the mission that fits your family this Christmas:

• Start with the Reindeer if your little one loves cuddles and showing affection.
• Start with the Arctic Fox if they’re working up the courage for something new.
• Start with the Saint Bernard if kindness and caring for others is their thing.

And if none of those feels like a clear winner, simply pick the one that makes your child’s face light up. Each comes with its own story, so you really can’t choose wrong.

Why one Elf Pet often becomes three

Here’s the lovely thing families discover: love, hope and kindness work best together. Once a child has welcomed one Elf Pet and learned its story, they’re often curious about the friends who share the mission, and that’s where the magic deepens.

Many families add a second pet the following Christmas, or welcome the trio over a few festive seasons as a growing North Pole crew. The Elf Pets even love a few silly antics with the Scout Elf, so you’ll find plenty of playful Elf Pets ideas to bring them to life. And when your family is ready to explore further, characters like Extraordinary Noorah™ are waiting in the wider Santaverse.

There’s no rush, and no pressure. Half the joy is in discovering them one story at a time.

Planning ahead for an Aussie Christmas

Because Christmas lands in the middle of summer here, the festive build-up has a rhythm all its own. Many organised families do their thinking during the cooler winter months, well before the December rush, so everything’s ready when the school holidays arrive and the celebrations begin.

If you’re planning ahead, the Elf Pets are an easy one to sort early. Each is a complete little gift in itself, with a cuddly companion and a storybook ready to share on the day.

Ready to meet Santa’s cuddly helpers? Discover the Elf Pets collection.

Frequently asked questions

What’s the difference between the Elf Pets? Reindeer gather children’s love to help power Santa’s sleigh, Arctic Fox cubs gather hope to light the Southern Lights, and Saint Bernard pups gather acts of kindness to carry back to the North Pole.

Which Elf Pet should I get first? There’s no wrong choice. Start with the mission that suits your child, love for the Reindeer, hope for the Arctic Fox, kindness for the Saint Bernard, or simply the one they’re drawn to most.

Do you need a Scout Elf to have an Elf Pet? No. Elf Pets are friends of the Scout Elves but can be welcomed on their own, and they stay with your family all year.

Are Elf Pets sold separately? Yes. Each Elf Pet comes with its own storybook and is sold separately, so you can start with one and add more over time.

Can you cuddle Elf Pets? Yes. Unlike the Scout Elf, whose magic is fragile, Elf Pets are made to be hugged and loved every day.

Do Elf Pets stay all year, or just for Christmas? They stay all year. Elf Pets are cuddly companions children keep and love long after the festive season ends.

When should I buy an Elf Pet before Christmas? Many families plan during the cooler winter months so they’re ready well ahead of the December rush, but any time before Christmas works beautifully.