Some December nights, you have time to create an elaborate elf scene. Other nights, you’re standing in the kitchen at 11 p.m., wondering whether putting the elf in a cereal bowl counts as a plan.
That’s when a good Christmas joke comes in handy.
These 125 funny Christmas jokes for Elf on the Shelf are short, kid-friendly, and easy to copy onto a little note. Set your elf beside the joke, tuck the answer underneath, and let the kids start their morning with a giggle.
You’ll find elf jokes, Santa jokes, reindeer jokes, snowman jokes, and plenty of Christmas food puns. Pick one for tomorrow morning or use a different joke each day your elf visits.
Funny Elf Jokes to Leave With Your Elf on the Shelf
Your elf already has the perfect audience. All that’s missing is a tiny joke card.
- What do elves learn at school?
The elf-abet! - Why did the elf go to the doctor?
He had low elf-esteem! - What kind of music do elves love?
Wrap music! - What do you call an elf who sings?
A wrapper! - Why did the elf take a ladder to school?
To get to the next grade! - What do elves use to take pictures?
An elf-ie stick! - What do you call an elf who tells jokes?
A real Christmas cracker! - Why did the elf sit on the clock?
He wanted to be on time! - What’s an elf’s favorite kind of bread?
Shortbread! - Why did the elf bring a pencil to bed?
To draw the curtains! - What do elves do when they feel stressed?
Take a little elf-care break! - Why did the elf stand in the corner?
It was 90 degrees, and he was cold! - What’s an elf’s favorite exercise?
The North Pole vault! - What do you call an elf who won’t share?
Elfish! - Why did the elf put his bed in the fireplace?
He wanted to sleep like a log! - What do elves put on their sandwiches?
Jingle jam! - Why did the elf bring string to the bakery?
To tie up some loose buns! - What’s an elf’s favorite subject?
Chemis-tree! - Why did the elf sit beside the printer?
He heard it was running out of Christmas spirit! - What did the elf say after finishing all the presents?
“That’s a wrap!” - Why did the elf hide in the cookie jar?
He wanted to stay close to his work snacks! - What do you call an elf who solves mysteries?
Sherlock Gnomes! - Why did the elf wear sunglasses in the workshop?
The toys had a bright future! - What did the elf say when he got tangled in ribbon?
“I’m a little tied up!” - Why is your elf so good at hide-and-seek?
He’s had plenty of shelf practice!
Santa Jokes That Deserve a Spot on the Nice List
Leave one of these beside a Santa hat, a plate of cookies, or your elf’s latest workshop “project.”
- What do you call Santa when he stops moving?
Santa Pause! - Why does Santa go down the chimney?
Because it soots him! - What do you call Santa at the beach?
Sandy Claus! - What’s Santa’s favorite kind of potato chip?
Crisp Pringles! - Why did Santa take a gardening class?
To improve his hoe, hoe, hoe! - What does Santa use to keep his suit looking neat?
Claus-tarch! - What do you call Santa’s little helpers when they’re taking a break?
Subordinate Clauses! - Why did Santa get a parking ticket?
He left his sleigh in a snow-parking zone! - What’s Santa’s favorite breakfast cereal?
Frosted Flakes! - Why is Santa good at karate?
He has a black belt! - What does Santa say when he wins a race?
“I sleighed it!” - Where does Santa keep his money?
In a snowbank! - Why did Santa bring a ruler to bed?
He wanted to see how long he slept! - What’s Santa’s favorite type of weather?
A chance of rein-deer! - What does Santa eat for breakfast?
Mistle-toast! - Why did Santa go to music lessons?
To improve his present-ation! - What’s Santa’s favorite kind of pizza?
Deep-pan, crisp and even! - What do you call Santa when he’s wearing earmuffs?
Anything you like—he can’t hear you! - Why did Santa put a clock in his sleigh?
He wanted to make good time! - What does Santa use when he goes fishing?
His North Pole! - Why did Santa visit the bakery?
He heard they had stockings full of dough! - What did Santa say to the impatient elf?
“Hold your reindeer!” - Why does Santa carry a big sack?
His pockets can’t hold Christmas! - How does Santa keep his bathroom tiles clean?
With Comet! - What does Santa say when Christmas is over?
“That’s enough wrapping for one year!”
Reindeer Jokes for a Little Christmas Silliness
Pair these with a toy reindeer, paper antlers, or an elf wearing a red pom-pom nose.
- What do reindeer say before telling a joke?
“This one will sleigh you!” - Why did Rudolph get a bad report card?
He went down in history! - What do you call a reindeer with bad manners?
Rude-olph! - What’s a reindeer’s favorite game?
Stable tennis! - Why do reindeer wear bells?
Their horns don’t work! - What do reindeer hang on their Christmas trees?
Horn-aments! - How do reindeer learn to fly?
They take a crash course! - What’s a reindeer’s favorite ice cream?
Chocolate chip hoof dough! - Why did the reindeer bring a ladder?
To reach the high-flying snacks! - What did Rudolph say when he got a compliment?
“You’re making me glow!” - Where do reindeer stop for coffee?
Star-bucks! - What do reindeer use to clean their hooves?
Santa-tizer! - Why was the reindeer good at telling stories?
He always had a great tail! - What do you call a reindeer comedian?
A stand-up buck! - Why did the reindeer cross the road?
It was the chicken’s day off! - What’s a reindeer’s favorite sandwich?
Peanut butter and jingle jam! - What do reindeer say on the first day of December?
“Let the sleigh games begin!” - Why did Rudolph carry a flashlight?
For backup! - What do you call a reindeer who can play the piano?
A very talented hoof-sician! - Why did the reindeer sit on a wet towel?
He wanted to cool his jets! - What did one reindeer say to the other at dinner?
“Pass the carrots, deer!” - Why did the reindeer join the school band?
He already had the horns! - How do reindeer send quick messages?
By antler-net! - What’s a reindeer’s favorite day of the week?
Fly-day! - Why was the reindeer proud of his homework?
He nailed every rein-deer problem!
Snowman and Winter Jokes for Frosty Mornings
Your elf doesn’t need real snow for these. A white washcloth, a few cotton balls, or a paper snowflake can set the scene.
- What do snowmen eat for breakfast?
Frosted Flakes! - What do you call a snowman in July?
A puddle! - What do snowmen wear on their heads?
Ice caps! - What do you call a snowman’s dog?
A slush puppy! - Why was the snowman looking through the carrots?
He was picking his nose! - What do snowmen do on their day off?
Chill out! - How do snowmen get around town?
By icicle! - What’s a snowman’s favorite drink?
Iced tea! - Why did the snowman go to the doctor?
He was feeling a little run-down! - What do you call a snowman party?
A snowball! - What’s a snowman’s favorite snack?
Ice Krispies treats! - Why did the snowman bring a broom?
To sweep through the snow! - What’s a snowman’s favorite school subject?
Snow-and-tell! - What did one snowflake say to the other?
“You’re one of a kind!” - Why did the snowman open the freezer?
He wanted some fresh air! - What do you call a snowman with a six-pack?
An abdominal snowman! - What does a snowman order at a restaurant?
An iceberg-er! - Why don’t snowmen like heated arguments?
They always end in a meltdown! - What do snowmen use to send letters?
The frost office! - What kind of ball doesn’t bounce?
A snowball! - What falls in winter but never gets hurt?
Snow! - What do you call a snowman who tells tall tales?
A snow-fibber! - Why did the snowman stare at the weather report?
He was worried about his long-term plans! - What did the snowman say to the sun?
“You’re making me fall apart!” - How does a snowman greet his friends?
“Ice to meet you!”
Christmas Tree, Cookie, and Candy Cane Jokes
These are especially easy to turn into elf scenes. Park your elf beside the tree, pop it next to a wrapped candy cane, or let it “guard” the Christmas cookies.
- Why did the Christmas tree go to the barber?
It needed a trim! - What do Christmas trees do after a long day?
They pine down! - Why was the Christmas tree bad at sewing?
It kept dropping its needles! - What did one Christmas ornament say to the other?
“I like hanging out with you!” - Why did the ornament go to school?
To get a little brighter! - What do you call a Christmas tree that knows karate?
Spruce Lee! - Why did the Christmas lights fail their test?
They weren’t very bright! - What did the Christmas tree say after getting decorated?
“I’m feeling tree-mendous!” - Why was the Christmas stocking so hungry?
It was waiting to get stuffed! - What do you call a cat sitting under the Christmas tree?
A Christmas purr-sent! - Why did the gingerbread man go to the doctor?
He was feeling crummy! - What does a gingerbread man sleep under?
A cookie sheet! - Why did the Christmas cookie cry?
Its mom was a wafer too long! - What’s a gingerbread man’s favorite sport?
Cookie cricket! - Why did the cookie go to school?
To become a smart cookie! - What did the hot chocolate say to the marshmallow?
“You make everything sweeter!” - Why did the candy cane get good grades?
It was mint to succeed! - What do you call a candy cane with a great attitude?
A merry mint! - Why did the Christmas pudding join the choir?
It had a rich voice! - What’s a Christmas cookie’s favorite dance?
The gingerbread shuffle! - What did the wrapping paper say to the scissors?
“Cut it out!” - Why was the ribbon so good at making friends?
It knew how to tie everyone together! - What did the present say when someone told it a secret?
“I’ll keep it under wraps!” - What do you call a bunch of chess players bragging in a hotel lobby at Christmas?
Chess nuts boasting in an open foyer! - Why did the Christmas bell go to school?
To get a little jingle-education!
Easy Ways to Use These Jokes With Your Elf
The joke can be the whole elf setup. You don’t need a pile of props or a kitchen covered in flour to make it fun.
Here are a few easy ways to leave a joke:
- Fold a tiny joke card. Write the question on the front and the answer inside.
- Let your elf hold a sign. A small scrap of paper is plenty.
- Add a joke to breakfast. Set the note beside your child’s bowl or plate.
- Match the joke to a prop. Try a cookie joke beside the cookie tin or a tree joke on a low branch.
- Start a family guessing game. Read the question aloud and let everyone guess before revealing the answer.
- Leave a goodbye giggle. Save a favorite joke for your elf’s last morning.
For younger kids, start with the simple snowball, cookie, and Santa jokes. Older kids may enjoy figuring out the wordplay in jokes like “subordinate Clauses” and “chess nuts boasting.”
A Little Laugh Is Enough
An Elf on the Shelf joke is a handy December backup plan: quick to prepare, easy to clean up, and fun to read together.
Choose a joke, scribble it on a note, and sit your elf somewhere the kids will spot it. Tomorrow morning’s Christmas giggle is ready.
