Don’t worry, parents! Discover three festive excuses to give your Elf (and yourself) a holiday break.

Parents, we get it—keeping up with your Elf on the Shelf’s daily duties can be exhausting, especially during the busy holiday season. But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! Download your Elf on the Shelf doctor’s note and enjoy a well-deserved, three-day break from elf duties, complete with creative excuses that double as important lessons for your little ones.

Fun and Creative Excuses to Use Your Elf on the Shelf Doctor’s Note

With a simple and fun excuse, you can take a break from your Elf on the Shelf duties while keeping the holiday magic alive. Here are three creative excuses, complete with teaching moments, to make your well-deserved pause fun and educational this season.

1. The Elf caught the “holiday sniffles” (a.k.a. the North Pole Flu) and needs rest to recover. You can use this to teach your kids about flu prevention: correctly washing hands, coughing and sneezing into a tissue or the elbow, and keeping hands away from their faces.
2. Your family is preparing to travel, and the Elf must stay behind at the “North Pole Clinic” to rest. This can help kids feel more comfortable about trips or even a stay in the hospital—if the Elf can manage, so can they!
3. The Elf tried a daring stunt and needs a few days to recover. This is a great way to teach kids the importance of rest and self-care after an injury—because even magical elves need to heal.

It’s that simple! Let your kids know the Elf is on doctor’s orders to rest—no moving for three full days. Following the note isn’t just fun, it’s part of keeping the Elf happy and healthy!

Download Your Elf Doctor’s Note

Download your Elf’s doctor’s note HERE and fill in the details when your Elf (or you) needs some downtime. It’s an easy way to keep the magic alive while giving yourself a breather!

24/7 Medical Care, Even on Holidays

This holiday season, your health is our top priority. No matter the illness or injury, Tucson ER & Hospital, your neighborhood ER and hospital, is ready to have you and your loved ones feeling better quickly. Our expert team is here to provide compassionate care for adults and children—24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Disclaimer: As a service to our readers, Tucson ER & Hospital and Nutex Health state no content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinicians.