Quick answer
Starrd's Elf Dance template turns 1 to 3 photos into a 12-second vertical video of you as North Pole elves dancing in sync in Santa's toy workshop: heel-toe steps, a side shuffle with jazz hands, a spin and a high kick one after another, linked arms, and a final jump pose. Everyone keeps their own face and hairstyle, in a green velvet elf tunic, candy-cane tights, curled-toe shoes and a hat with a bell. Pets dance upright on their hind legs in a tiny elf hat. Unlike Elf Yourself, which puts a cut-out of your face on a cartoon elf, it renders you as a real-looking elf. 120 credits (about $6).
Every December, half the family group chat turns into dancing elves. This year, skip the cut-out cartoon heads: one to three photos turn you into real-looking North Pole elves, dancing a goofy routine in perfect sync in Santa's workshop.
Elf Dance
1 to 3 photos. You, your friends or your pets as dancing North Pole elves. 12 seconds.
What You Get
- You, as a real elf. Your own face, hairstyle and build, in a green velvet tunic, candy-cane tights, curled-toe shoes and a hat with a bell.
- Up to three dancers. Solo, a duo, or the whole crew lined up left to right.
- Pets welcome. Dogs and cats dance upright on their hind legs in a tiny elf hat.
- Santa's workshop. Toy shelves, candy-cane pillars, fairy lights and snow falling past the window.
- 12 seconds, vertical 9:16, with a jingle-bell soundtrack.
Elf Dance vs Elf Yourself
| Elf Yourself | Starrd Elf Dance | |
|---|---|---|
| Your face | A cut-out on a cartoon elf | Rendered into a real-looking elf |
| Your body | Cartoon elf body | Your own build, in costume |
| Pets | Faces only | The whole pet, dancing upright |
| Format | Wide | Vertical 9:16 for TikTok and Reels |
The 12 Seconds
| Time | What happens |
|---|---|
| 0:00 | Bouncy heel-toe steps on the spot, hands on hips, hat bells swinging |
| 0:03 | A side shuffle together, jazz hands beside their faces |
| 0:06 | One after another, a quick spin and a high knee kick, then linked arms |
| 0:09 | Everyone jumps and lands in a final pose, then bursts out laughing |
Use clear, front-facing photos where the face is well lit. For pets, one photo of the whole animal works best, so its coat and markings come through.
Make It Yours
Director's Notes can change the details without breaking the dance:
- Costume: "red tunics instead of green", "Santa hat on Elf 2".
- Props: "a candy cane in Elf 1's hand", "Elf 3 holds a present".
- Order: photo 1 is always on the left (or solo in the centre), photo 3 on the right.
Common Mistakes
Group photos. Each photo becomes one elf. Use one person (or pet) per photo; in a group shot only the most prominent person is used.
Sunglasses on. Glasses carry through if they're in your photo. Take them off unless you want an elf in shades.
Mixing up the order. The order of your photos is the order of the line-up, left to right.
More Christmas Videos
Catch Santa at Your Tree
One photo of your tree. Santa leaves a present and says your kid's name. 10 seconds.
Related Reading
- 30 AI Christmas Photo Prompts: copy-and-paste prompts for Christmas cards, matching pyjamas and elf portraits, each with an example photo
- How to Catch Santa on Camera in Your Own House: Santa at your tree, down your chimney or eating your cookies
- How to Make the Viral 'Christmas Dance' AI Video: the Deck the Halls duo dance
- How to Make the 'ATM Christmas Wish' AI Video: this season's other Christmas trend
- Viral AI Video Trends 2026: every trend we've turned into a template this year