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Around the door
The elf door is the stage, the pranks are the play. This page is about the stage: when it opens, where it hangs best, how it holds, and which little scenes in front of it tell a story day after day. The example images are CAD views of our own print models; the ideas work just as well with a wooden or paper door.
Most families hang the door on 1 December or the first Sunday of Advent. If you want the fun to last longer, let the elf move in on 1 November: first a building site, then a moving box, then the door. The move-in itself becomes a story.
On a skirting board where nobody runs past: the hallway next to the shoe rack, the living room behind the sofa or the side of the stairs. You need space in front for small scenes and distance from radiators. For toddlers and pets, keep the pieces out of reach when they are not in play.
Double-sided adhesive pads or strips that come off cleanly are enough for wooden and printed doors. Dust the skirting first, press the door for 30 seconds, then leave it for an hour. On textured wallpaper use two pads. No screws and no hot glue on rented walls.
A small picture behind the door or in a window makes the world behind it feel real: wrapping paper as wallpaper, a painted view of the North Pole or a tiny paper hallway. The door must stay firm and the backdrop should not be larger than the door itself.
A mat, a lantern, a mailbox, two boots and a small crate are enough to begin. Everything else arrives with the stories: ladder, sled, clothes horse, bakery. Our sets are built so that every part can be printed and added individually.
With a farewell letter on 24 December or 6 January. The elf leaves a small gift, a picture of its home at the North Pole or a biscuit. The door stays up until Candlemas or moves into the box. The letter library has a matching template.
Before the door appears there is only a paper barrier tape and a wheelbarrow. Nobody knows who is building here.
Set 03 · Building Site and Wheelbarrow
A matchbox marked “Fragile” waits by the wall, with a note showing the move-in date.
Set 01 · Moving In – Elf Door and WindowIn the morning the door hangs there, with mat, boots and the first letter carrying the elf's name.
Set 01 · Moving In – Elf Door and WindowA tiny paper sign above the door. The children choose the name, the elf replies by letter.
Set 01 · Moving In – Elf Door and WindowThe elf asks for a house number in a letter. The next day it is stuck beside the door.
Set 01 · Moving In – Elf Door and WindowConfetti from a hole punch in front of the door, a biscuit with a toothpick flag as the family's gift.
Set 01 · Moving In – Elf Door and Window
Mini clothes horse with socks and a tissue as a bed sheet. The elf did the laundry because it snowed.
Set 05 · Laundry Day – Miniature Drying Rack
The workbench stands open with a half-finished paper toy beside it. What will it become?
Set 06 · Workshop – Elf Workbench
A bench, a lantern, a mini newspaper of folded paper. The elf reads the elf news.
Set 08 · Cosy Evening – Bench and Lantern
An acorn basket with three raisins at the door, pine needles as a picnic blanket.
Set 13 · Woodland Picnic and Acorn Basket
The little wagon delivers a portion of cocoa for the children in the morning, with a delivery note.
Set 16 · Cocoa Express – Miniature Elf Cart
A piece of mirror is the frozen pond, the frog sits at the edge wearing a hat.
Set 28 · Pond Picnic – Frog and Lily-Pad Seat
The garden mailbox has a watering can beside it: the elf waters the paper flowers in winter.
Set 27 · Garden Post – Mailbox and Watering Can
The crooked house replaces the door for a day. The elf has a cousin visiting.
Set 29 · Wonky House – Playful Elf Door
Mini skis lean at the door, the sled carries a load of cotton wool. Flour footprints lead to the window.
Set 07 · Winter – Sled, Skis and Firewood
The stencil makes real little tracks in flour: from the bed to the door and back.
Set 09 · Elf Footprints – Stencil and Stamp
Three printed snowmen plus one made of cotton wool. The elf had reinforcements.
Set 37 · Snowman Square and Birdhouse
Cotton balls lie ready in the workshop. Two landed in the kitchen, by accident of course.
Set 38 · Snowball Workshop
The big house stands beside the door for a week: the elf is on holiday at the grandparents'.
Set 32 · Fir Lane Winter House – Elf Door
For stormy days: life ring, bollards and a letter from the harbour elf.
Set 20 · Lighthouse Door – Elf Harbour
The mushroom door leans among the needles of a twig. The forest elf drops by.
Set 11 · Mushroom Door – Elf Woodland Entrance
The red post house accepts wish lists. Big letters may lie beside it.
Set 33 · North Pole Post – Elf Mailbox
Three stalls, a string of lights made of paper dots, a biscuit as the gingerbread stand.
Set 34 · Tiny Christmas Market – Elf Stall
Tiny parcels, a thread as ribbon. One of them is for the children.
Set 35 · Gift Workshop – Elf Wrapping Table
A printed fireplace with a paper stocking in front. On the 24th it is full.
Set 36 · Elf Fireplace and Armchair
The sweet door replaces the normal one for a week, with sugar sprinkles as snow.
Set 14 · Gingerbread Door – Sweet Elf Entrance
A mini tree with paper baubles and three gifts: the elf celebrates too.
Set 10 · Christmas Eve – Tree and Gifts
Star biscuits on the mini table, flour on the floor, a recipe for the family on the door.
Set 04 · Bakery and Star Cookies
The fire engine stands ready; the elf explains in a letter why candles are never left alone.
Set 31 · Elf Rescue – Mini Fire EngineA suitcase, a letter, a biscuit. The door stays, but the light behind it is out.
Set 01 · Moving In – Elf Door and Window