The Elf on the Shelf has become a popular and fun way to celebrate the holidays with young children. Since the fad appeared, people have become more creative with their Elf on the Shelf appearances. From gliding through the snow, hanging from the bannister, or peaking out of a stocking on the mantle, children love to wake up and search for their friendly Elf on the Shelf who is decked in red with a rosy smile on their face. According to the tradition, every day the elf is placed in a different spot around the house, often with a note or a picture that depicts the elf’s adventures while the children were sleep. The only catch is, children, under no circumstances, are allowed to touch the elf. If they lay a finger on the delicate elf, it will lose its powers and return to the North Pole to recover with Santa.

The concept of the Elf on the Shelf first appeared in 2005, when the book “The Elf on the Shelf: A Christmas Tradition” was published. Written by Carol Aebersold and her daughter Chanda Bell, the book follows the story of Santa’s secret spy elves, who are sent to children’s homes to watch their behavior and report back to Santa Claus. The children’s book is accompanied with a small elf doll, which many families choose to move around each day just like in the book. Since the books publication, approximately 19 million Elf on the Shelf dolls have been purchased and used in homes to enhance the Christmas spirit.

The Elf on the Shelf became so popular so quickly because both children and parents fell in love with their appeal. For children, they get to experience the magic of Christmas and Santa right in their living room. Not only do they love to talk to the elf and write to it, but children usually give their elf a unique name and form a bond with it. As for the parents, they enjoy seeing their children excited about the magic of Christmas and getting to participate in the fun with them. Also, as a bonus, the presence of the elf tends to motivate good behavior from the children.

The Elf on the Shelf can also be a wonderful tool to teach children about the meaning of Christmas. Many parents choose to use the elf to explain how important generosity, kindness, and compassion is during the Christmas season. The elf’s watchful eye tends to encourage acts of kindness from children, such as making a gift for a family member or sharing kind words with a loved one.

Since its creation, the Elf on the Shelf has continued to grow in popularity and creativity. Different variations of the elf have surfaces such as the Elf Storybook, Elf Pets, and the Scout Elf Express. Other countries have adopted the tradition as well including the United Kingdom and Australia.

The Elf on the Shelf is an amazing tradition to establish with children. It’s fun, it’s helpful, and it teaches children important life lessons. Whether your elf is drinking hot coco, eating food from your fridge, or making snow angels on the counter, we hope you have fun with the process and it brings a big smile to your child’s face. Happy holidays!