Christmas Elf Costume Ideas for Kids, Adults and the Whole Workshop
Santa gets one suit. Elves get to have fun. Green velvet, red satin, striped socks, curly-toed shoes, a bell on the hat: the elf look is forgiving, cheerful and works on a two-year-old, a grandmother and a golden retriever. Below are our favorite ways to put an elf costume together, using only pieces that are on our shelves right now (prices at time of writing). Start with the Santa's Elf collection if you'd rather browse.
What makes an elf an elf
You need three things: green and red, a pointed hat, and something that jingles or curls. Everything else is personality. Our elf costumes tend to come in two fabrics. Velvet is the traditional workshop elf, deeper green and richer looking in photos. Satin is brighter and lighter, good for warm school gyms and kids who don't love heavy costumes. Neither is wrong; pick the one that matches your Santa's suit if you'll be photographed together.
Elf costumes for kids
The Kids Satin Jingle Elf Costume ($44.99, sizes 4-8) is our best-selling kids' elf: a red and green satin tunic trimmed in red and green glitter pom-poms, with a matching hat. It slips over regular clothes, which is exactly what you want for a Christmas play. For the fuller look, the Child Velvet Elf Suit ($79.99, sizes 4-8) is hunter green velvet trimmed in bright red velveteen and includes a tunic with attached collar, pants with an elastic waist, a hat with a gold glitter pom-pom and a red and gold twisted rope belt. Add Kids Elf Holiday Apron and Hat ($24.99) for the cookie-baking helper.
Elf costumes for adults
The Adult Velvet Elf Suit ($103.99, M/L fits 8-12) is the grown-up version of the kids' velvet suit, same hunter green and red velveteen, same tunic, pants, rope belt and pom-pom hat, and there's an L/XL too. For something lighter, the Satin Jingle Elf Tunic and Hat ($45.99) has glitter pom-poms and gold braid at the hem and sleeves plus a jingle-bell hat. Budget option: the Adult's Short Sleeve Elf Costume ($48.99, Large 42-46) is a bright green shirt with attached gold buttons, red elastic-waist pants, a brown vinyl belt and a soft pom-pom hat.
For the elf who runs the workshop, the Adult Work Shop Elf Costume ($169.99, Medium 8-10) is a whole outfit: green velvet pants with button and zipper closure, striped shirt, suspenders, striped socks and a velvet pom-pom hat. Elf shoes are not included, so see below.
Buddy and Jovie
If your family quotes the movie every December, dress the part. The Men's Buddy The Elf Costume ($203.99, Medium 32-34) includes the green jacket, hat, tights and belt; wig and shoes are not included, and it also comes in Large and XL. The Women's Jovie Elf Costume ($149.99) is officially licensed: a pink dress with faux fur trim, felt hat, belt and shoe covers, one size up to 12.
The baby elf and the dog elf
The Baby Santa's Lil' Elf Costume ($69.99, 12-18 months) is a zippered jumpsuit with an attached belt over a striped under-jumpsuit, both with snaps for diaper changes, plus a pointed hat and slip-on booties with skid-resistant bottoms for indoor use. It's also available in 6-12 months. And yes, the dog can come: the Elf Dog Costume ($14.99, Medium) is a one-piece body suit with a hat, with Extra Small and Large too.
The finishing touches
This is where an elf costume goes from fine to fantastic. Adult's Elf Shoes ($46.99) are cloth with red scalloped tops, pom-poms and vinyl bottoms, sized to fit most adults. Elf Ears ($6.99) are felt on a plastic headband. Elf Tights ($9.99, Women's Medium 8-10) give you one red leg and one green leg. A Jingle Bells Wrist Cuff ($16.99) adds three working bells on a faux leather cuff with red plush underneath. And for a quick elf over regular clothes, the Adults Elf Christmas Apron and Hat Set ($27.99) is a forest green fleece apron with red felt trim and a matching hat with a gold tinsel pom-pom, one size fits most.
Putting a workshop together
Elves are a group costume by nature. For an office party, put everyone in Men's Jolly Elf Costume Kits ($38.99, fits up to size 42, printed shirt with belt and hat) and one brave person in a Santa suit. For family photos, match the fabric: velvet elf suits for the kids next to a burgundy velvet Santa suit, or satin jingle elves next to a velour Santa suit. Browse Santa suits, Mrs. Claus costumes and all of our Christmas costumes to fill out the North Pole.
One practical note: from September through December our processing time is 24 to 72 hours, and ground shipping arrives 3 to 5 business days after it ships, free on orders over $99. Order the workshop early so nobody's waiting on their hat.
Frequently asked questions
What comes with a Christmas elf costume?
It depends on the style. Our Child Velvet Elf Suit includes a tunic with attached collar, pants with an elastic waist, a hat with a gold glitter pom-pom and a twisted rope belt. The Kids Satin Jingle Elf is a tunic and hat. Shoes are usually sold separately.
What size elf costume should I buy for my child?
Our Kids Satin Jingle Elf and Child Velvet Elf Suit both fit sizes 4-8. For babies, Santa's Lil' Elf comes in 6-12 and 12-18 months. For adults, the Velvet Elf Suit runs M/L (8-12) and L/XL, and the Short Sleeve Elf Costume comes in Large (42-46) and XXL.
Do you carry Buddy the Elf costumes?
Yes. The Men's Buddy The Elf Costume includes the jacket, hat, tights and belt (wig and shoes not included) in Medium, Large and XL. The Women's Jovie Elf Costume is the officially licensed pink dress with faux fur trim, felt hat, belt and shoe covers, one size up to 12.
Can the dog be an elf too?
Absolutely. Our Elf Dog Costume is a one-piece body suit with a hat, in Extra Small, Medium and Large. It's one of the least expensive items in our Christmas collection.