Amy HanelineUSA TODAY
Santa is getting ready to unleash his fleet of Scout Elves to children's houses around the world. Yes, it's Elf on the Shelf time!
While parents may be rolling their eyes (those elves can make quite the mess around the house), kids are anxiously awaiting for their elves to arrive so they can report back to Santa on whether they've been naughty or nice.
Not sure what all fuss is about? Here's everything to know about the Christmas tradition.
Who invented Elf on the Shelf?
Elf on the Shelf is based on the book written by Carol Aebersold and her daughter Chanda Bell. As the story goes, cute 10-inch tall elves, called Scout Elves, arrive in children's homes during the holiday season. Every night, the elves fly back to the North Pole to let Santa know about the children's activities and behavior throughout the day. When the elves return to their homes in the morning, they land in a different spot than the night before.
Over the years, the elves have gotten very creative − sometimes funny, sometimes mischievous − about where they land. Kids have found their elves in refrigerator doors, ziplining from dining room lights or even hiding in jars from stinky farts.
When did Elf on the Shelf start?
The book and box set launched in 2005. The tradition has gained in popularity over the years, likely because the Scout Elves' shenanigans have been well-documented on social media. Parents and kids love to show off all the wild ways elves return to their homes each morning.
Now Elf on the Shelf has grown. There are additional books, movies, merchandise and more to support the growing phenomenon.
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How does Elf on the Shelf work?
- First you should "adopt" an elf. The official Elf on the Shelf box set comes with the book and a Scout Elf. Elves come in a variety of hair, eye and skin color. They can be adopted at major retailers like Target, Walmart and Amazon.
- Next, the Elf on the Shelf website encourages families to read the book together to learn about the tradition and some very important elf rules (more on that below).
- Finally, kids get to name their elf!
Per the book, here are some elf rules.
- Kids cannot touch Scout Elves or they lose their magic! (Adults sometimes can touch the elves if they find themselves in a sticky situation.)
- Scout Elves can't talk, but kids can certainly tell them their holiday wishes.
- Elves must return to the North Pole on Christmas Eve to prepare for next Christmas.
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When does Elf on the Shelf come out?
Santa starts sending out Scout Elves during "Scout Elf Return Week" which runs from Nov. 23 to Dec. 1, per the Elf on the Shelf website.
When does Elf on the Shelf leave?
While Scout Elves may arrive a different times, they all must leave on Christmas Eve so they can get back to the North Pole and start getting ready next year.
Where can I get Elf on the Shelf ideas?
Scout Elves' activities have been heavily documented online. Here are few ways to see what they have been up to:
- Find ideas on the Elf on the Shelf blog. Here you'll find the countless silly and fun ways elves return to homes, plus ideas for elves to arrive for the first time and to say goodbye before they leave.
- Search Pinterest and Instagram. There is a endless stream of ideas on social media, plus printables, how-to guides and even stress-free kits. The hashtag #elfontheshelf on Instagram returns more than 4 million results.
- Check in with fellow families who follow the tradition. If your friends have Scout Elves, they can probably share all the ways their elves have landed in their homes and spark inspiration.
Is Elf on the Shelf real?
Obviously we are believers over here.
