Opening November 15, 2026
The elf moves itself.
Set it up once in November. We text you every night in December with tonight’s setup, the props, and a printable note. Ninety seconds, then bed.
No charge today. Regular price $12.99. Works with any elf doll.
Tonight · 9:00 PM
Pip: Marshmallow bath. Props: mini marshmallows, a bowl. 3 min.
How it works
Five minutes in November buys you a calm December.
- Step 1 · Once, in November
Set up in 5 minutes
Tell us your elf's name, your kids' ages, how much effort you've got, and which props are already in the house. We build a personalized 24-night plan.
- Step 2 · Every night in December
Get one text
At your bedtime-ish hour, a short text tells you tonight's setup and props, with a link to steps and a printable note. Too tired? One tap for the 30-second version.
- Step 3 · December 25
Get your yearbook
Snap a photo when you like. On Christmas Day your elf’s whole month arrives as a keepsake photo journal you can save or print.
What lands at 9:00 pm
Tonight’s plan, in one text.
No scrolling Pinterest at bedtime. Open the text, grab two things from the pantry, set the scene, go to bed.
- One text per night, at the time you pick
- Props you already own, so no 10pm store runs
- A printable note with your kid’s name on it
- A zero-prop 30-second backup for the hard nights
Elf Autopilot
Today 9:00 PM
Props: mini marshmallows, a bowl. 3 min.
Setup + note: elfautopilot.com/t/x7k2
Reply STOP to opt out
Printable note
“Dear Maya, the North Pole was SO cold. Bath time! Love, Pip”
Why parents love it
All the magic. None of the 10pm panic.
A plan made for your family
24 nights picked for your kids' ages and the effort you actually have. No category repeats two nights in a row.
Built from what you own
Tick the props in your house during setup. Your plan leans on them, and a shopping list covers the rest.
The 30-second backup
Every night has a zero-prop fallback. One tap and tonight is handled.
Notes with their names
A printable note from your elf for each night, written to your kids by name.
Both parents in the loop
Invite a co-parent. Same plan, same text, and either of you can mark tonight done.
A yearbook on Christmas Day
Add photos as you go. On December 25 the whole month becomes a keepsake journal.
Pricing
Less than one store-bought elf kit.
One-time payment for the 2026 season. Not a subscription.
Free
For browsing and planning on your own.
$0
Browse every idea, set up your elf and kids, and save favorites.
Join freePre-Launch Premium
The full seasonal pass. The elf moves itself.
$9.99$19.99
$12.99 after launch on November 15, 2026. No charge today.
Your 24-night plan, a text every night in December, and a yearbook on Dec 25.
Lock in $9.99Compare plans
Everything else is ready at launch. Items tagged Arriving Dec 1 roll out by December 1.
| Feature | Free | PremiumSeasonal pass |
|---|---|---|
| Browse the elf idea library150+ ideas. Filter by effort, age, props, and mess. | Included | Included |
| Elf + kids profileYour elf’s name and dates, plus each kid’s first name and age. | Included | Included |
| Save favorite ideasArriving Dec 1 | Up to 5 | Unlimited |
| Printable arrival + goodbye lettersWith your elf’s and kids’ names filled in.Arriving Dec 1 | Included | Included |
| Personalized 24-night planBuilt from your kids’ ages, your effort level, and props you own. | Not included | Included |
| Easy-edit December calendarSwap any night, drag ideas around, skip travel days. | Not included | Included |
| Nightly text reminderAt the time you choose, in your time zone. | Not included | Included |
| Tonight pageStep-by-step setup and props for tonight. No login needed. | Not included | Included |
| 30-second backup for tired nightsA zero-prop idea, one tap away, every night. | Not included | Included |
| Printable personalized elf notesA note from your elf to your kids, by name.Arriving Dec 1 | Not included | Included |
| Prop shopping listWhat you have vs. what you need, for the whole month.Arriving Dec 1 | Not included | Included |
| Photo journal + Dec 25 yearbookAdd photos as you go. Get a keepsake PDF on Christmas Day.Arriving Dec 1 | Not included | Included |
| Co-parent inviteA second adult gets the same plan and texts.Arriving Dec 1 | Not included | Included |
| Email backup if a text failsSame content, same time, so you never miss a night.Arriving Dec 1 | Not included | Included |
| PriceOne-time, for the 2026 season | $0Free foreverJoin free | $9.99 |
Founding price $9.99 (regular $12.99 at launch). No charge today. Not a subscription.
Get on the list
Be ready before your elf is.
Elf Autopilot opens November 15, 2026. Join free, or reserve Premium at the founding price. Either way you’ll hear from us before December 1.
- 🔒 We never sell your info.
- 💬 Phone is optional. Texts only if you say yes.
- 🧒 We ask for kids’ ages only, never their photos.
FAQ
Questions from tired parents
Does it work with the elf we already have?
Yes. Elf Autopilot works with any elf doll or scout elf your family already has, including Elf on the Shelf, a homemade elf, or a stuffed toy you've decided is the elf this year. You tell us your elf's name and we write every setup and note for that elf. Elf Autopilot is an independent product and is not affiliated with or endorsed by The Elf on the Shelf or its owners.
How does the nightly text work?
Each night in December, at the time you choose (9:00pm by default, in your time zone), you get one short text with tonight's idea, the props, and a link to a page with step-by-step setup and a printable note. We never text between 11:45pm and 6:00am. Reply STOP any time to opt out.
What if I'm too tired tonight?
Every night comes with a 30-second backup idea that needs zero props. One tap swaps it in. Your elf still "moves," and you still go to bed.
Do I need to buy a bunch of props?
No. During setup you tick the props you already have (candy canes, mini marshmallows, toilet paper, blocks), and your plan leans on those. For anything else you get a short shopping list in November, so there are no late-night store runs.
What ages is it for?
Ideas are tagged by age and work best for kids about 2 to 10. Tell us each kid's age and your plan skips ideas that are too scary, too messy, or too babyish for them.
What do you collect about my kids?
Only what you choose to tell us: first names (in the app, for the printable notes) and ages. Everything comes from you, the parent. Kids never use the app, we never ask for kids' photos, and any photos you add to your journal are private to your household.
Is it a subscription?
No. Premium is a one-time seasonal pass for December 2026. The regular price at launch is $12.99. Free stays free.
What does the founding price mean?
Pre-Launch Premium reserves the full seasonal pass at $9.99 instead of $12.99. There's no charge today: secure checkout opens shortly, we'll email you the link, and your founding price is locked in. The app opens November 15, 2026, with plenty of time to set up before December 1.
Can my partner get the texts too?
Yes. Premium lets you invite a second adult. You both see the same plan and get the same nightly text, and either of you can mark tonight as done.
December 8 you will thank November you.
Five minutes now. One text a night later. The elf moves itself.