The Elf on the Shelf is a popular Christmas tradition that has captivated the hearts of children and their families around the world. It involves a special scout elf sent from the North Pole to help Santa Claus manage his naughty and nice lists.
The elf observes children’s behaviour during the day and flies back to the North Pole each night to report to Santa. When the elf returns, it chooses a new spot to sit, creating a fun hide-and-seek game for the family each morning.
BUY an Elf on the Shelf Planner template from the Christmasphere shop.
The Origins of the Tradition
The Elf on the Shelf tradition was started by Carol Aebersold and her daughter Chanda Bell. They wrote a children’s book in 2005 called “The Elf on the Shelf: A Christmas Tradition” which detailed the story of the scout elves.
Each book comes with a small elf doll. This creative and engaging story is meant to promote good behaviour in children during the holiday season, as the elf is always “watching”.
The Rules of Elf on the Shelf
The tradition begins when the elf arrives at a family’s home, often around the time the Christmas decorations go up. From that moment until Christmas, the elf watches over the family and reports back to Santa. There are a few important rules families must follow:
1. Don’t touch the elf: Touching the elf might make it lose its magic, which is necessary for its nightly trips to the North Pole.
2. The elf doesn’t move or talk: During the day, the elf doesn’t move or talk when people are around. Its magic allows it to move only when everyone in the house is asleep.
3. Find the elf each morning: The elf picks a new spot to sit each morning after returning from the North Pole. Part of the fun is finding where the elf has chosen to sit that day.
Photo by erin mckenna on UnsplashCreative Elf on the Shelf Ideas
Families have found creative ways to keep the Elf on the Shelf tradition exciting. Some of these ideas include:
1. Elf performing tasks: The elf might be found ‘baking’ miniature cookies, ‘writing’ a letter to Santa, or even ‘toilet papering’ the Christmas tree.
2. Elf bringing gifts: Sometimes, the elf might bring small gifts or notes from Santa, especially as Christmas draws closer.
3. Elf getting into mischief: The elf could get into harmless mischief around the house, like spilling cereal, leaving messages in toothpaste, or creating a mini ‘snow angel’ in flour.
Use a calendar planner to get organised and plan where to place your elf every night in December.
Ending the Tradition for the Season
The Elf on the Shelf stays with the family until Christmas Eve, after which it returns to the North Pole until the next holiday season. Some families say goodbye to the elf with a special letter or treat, while others simply let the elf ‘disappear’ until the next year.
The Elf on the Shelf tradition is a fun and interactive way for families to celebrate the Christmas season. It fosters a sense of excitement and anticipation for Santa’s arrival, while encouraging good behaviour. Each family can adapt the tradition to fit their own holiday celebrations, making it a personalised and memorable part of Christmas each year.
Read more about Christmas Traditions and Customs