Whether you're a curious kid, a holiday-loving grown-up, or just trying to stay on Santa’s Nice List, we've gathered answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about Elf Encounter straight from the North Pole (with a little help from our trusted human partners).

🎅 What is Elf Encounters?

Elf Encounters is the first-ever Elf-ficial partnership between Santa’s North Pole operations and a select team of human helpers. Together, we make it possible for real elves to visit classrooms, homes, and screens around the world during the busiest season of the year.

🎁 How did Elf Encounters Come to be?

For centuries, the North Pole handled things on its own—but in recent years, the world has grown, and the number of kind, curious, and Christmas-loving kids has grown with it.

Santa knew it was time to expand the magic—and for the very first time, he authorized an Elf-ficial collaboration between the North Pole and trusted human partners.

That’s how Elf Encounters™ was born: a joint effort to train, deploy, and support Field Elves and Elves-in-Training around the world—with help from a carefully selected team of holiday-hearted humans.

Together, we’re spreading cheer, strengthening belief, and making the spirit of the season feel more personal, more joyful, and more real than ever before.

🧝 Who are the elves we’ll meet?

Each elf you meet is part of Santa’s trusted team. Some are Field Elves, fully certified and sent on assignment. Others are Elves-in-Training, completing their final tests in kindness, creativity, and human connection—with your help! All are joyful, playful, and specially chosen for their ability to share Christmas cheer with kids and families around the world.

🏫 What happens during a classroom visit?

Our signature classroom visit is called Elf School LIVE!—a 25-minute interactive performance where Elves-in-Training visit your class for a cheerful, story-filled check-in. There are games, jokes, challenges, and just enough holiday mischief to keep everyone smiling.

You can also add Elfie Selfies and Color and Cheer!, where students receive a themed coloring sheet and Elfie selfies are taken with each child (yep—we bring the crayons, too!)..

💻 What if we live far away?

Not to worry—Virtual Encounters are just as real! Elves can beam in live from the North Pole to your home using secure snowline technology (commonly known as Zoom or Teams or Google Meet).

📝 Can we request something special?

Yes! Just include your note during booking and we’ll do our very merry best. Elves love to pass along special messages, favorite holiday memories, or secret compliments from Santa himself.

🎁 What’s included in every encounter?

All visits include:

• A cheerful, in-character visit from a real elf (or Elf-in-Training)

• Personalized storytelling, questions, and fun

• A keepsake gift for each child

• A direct report back to the North Pole

Please note: all activities are elf-powered and magic-approved. No two encounters are exactly the same!

🔔 Will the elves answer questions?

Absolutely! Elves love answering questions about the North Pole, reindeer personalities, favorite cookie types, chimney entry strategies, and how Santa keeps everything running smoothly. They can’t always explain how the magic works—but they’re more than happy to talk about what it’s like to live in it.

📸 Can we take pictures or videos?

Of course! Just warn your elf first. Some Elves-in-Training get extra sparkly when the camera comes out and like to fluff their jingle collars.

📍Where is Elf Encounters available?

In-person encounters are available in select locations (check the booking page for updates!). Virtual visits are available anywhere with Wi-Fi, power, and belief.

🧝 How should we prepare?

• Let kids know they’ve been chosen for a special North Pole visit

• Have your camera or video ready if you'd like to capture the magic

• Clear a cozy space for chatting, crafting, or coloring (depending on your package)

• Optional: Leave out something festive, like a drawing, a thank-you note, or a jingle bell—elves love surprises too

💰 Why does it cost money to see an elf?

That’s a great question—and the elves talk about it a lot (usually over cocoa with extra marshmallows).

Here’s the thing: for the first time ever, Santa has teamed up with trusted human helpers to make sure more kids than ever before can experience the magic of a real elf visit. While Santa handles the toy side of things, our human partners help manage the logistics: things like sleigh fuel (okay, car gas), travel time, craft materials, keepsakes, tech tools, and scheduling—all things that don’t run on Christmas spirit alone.

By working together, we’re able to create magical, memory-making moments in more homes, classrooms, and communities than ever before. Your support helps make that magic possible—and helps keep the Elf Encounter Initiative going strong year after year.

And most importantly: no matter which kind of visit a family chooses, the magic is always real.

✨ Want to help spread that magic even further?
We joyfully accept donations to help sponsor Elf Encounters for families, schools, and children’s programs who might not otherwise be able to experience a visit. Every contribution helps connect more kids to the wonder and joy of meeting a Christmas elf—something we believe every child deserves. Every scheduling opportunity includes a chance to donate .

❓What if we have more questions?

You can visit our Contact Page and message the team any time.
You’ll hear back from a human... but there's always an elf standing right behind them.