The holiday season is all about traditions, most of which are passed from generation to generation. Traditions are great, but it's always nice to throw something new in the mix—enter the Elf on the Shelf, established circa 2005! This playful little helper now plays a big role in many homes, bringing some wonder and thrill to the days leading up to Christmas.
Elf on the Shelf: how it all began
The Elf on the Shelf tradition started in 2005 with a sweet kids book by Carol Aebersold and her daughter, Chanda Bell. The story is about how Santa sends a special elf to watch children and report back on their behavior. Soon, families worldwide started to bring their own Elf on the Shelf into their homes, thanks to a toy box set that complements the book. Further, social media helped it go viral as families began sharing creative ways they were placing Elf in fun spots around the home – aiming to generate excitement for children in the days and weeks leading up to Christmas.
How does Elf on the Shelf work?
Every night, after the kids go to sleep, the Elf magically comes alive to find a new hiding place to monitor behavior and report back to Santa. But there's a catch—nobody can touch or move the Elf, or it'll lose its magic powers. When morning comes, the kids jump out of bed to look for their Elf, which has found a new, often funny, place to sit and watch from.
This daily game of finding the Elf builds excitement and amazement, as the kids can't wait to see where the Elf will be next and what silly things it might have done overnight. The Elf's tricks are intended to work as a friendly reminder for the kids to reflect on choosing positive behaviors.
The "Elf on the Shelf", while playful, may have some unintended, negative consequences. Hinting that someone's always watching can make kids worried and chip away at their feeling of having private space. This method relies too much on outside push, which might hurt a kid's ability to grow their own drive to be good. Instead, you can look for and praise good behavior without making a connection to earning gifts. This helps children understand why being good matters rather than behaving simply because they're scared of upsetting Santa.
The Elf on the Shelf tradition is great on its own, but getting creative can make it even better. Check out these imaginative ideas to get you started:
Elf acrobatics: Put your Elf in risky spots, like hanging off a ceiling fan, swinging on a chandelier, or teetering on a pile of books.
Elf mischief: Set up scenes where it looks like your Elf has caused trouble, such as spilling a bowl of cereal, leaving flour all over the kitchen, or making a mess of the Christmas lights.
Elf adventures: Send your Elf on small quests around your house, leaving hints or tiny footprints for your kids to track. You can even come up with a story or theme for each day's quest.
Elf crafts: Have your kids make tiny decorations for the Elves. This will give them a sense of ownership in the tradition.
Elf notes: Put small messages from the Elf in different places. These can cheer your kids up, remind them to behave, or even give hints for a treasure hunt.
Elf photo ops: Create fun scenes with your Elf for photos. Your children can take pictures and share these memories with family and friends.
The Elf on the Shelf tradition has won over families around the world, and it's easy to see why. This magical and charming custom adds fun, excitement, and a bit of playfulness to the holiday season. Whether you go all out with your nightly scene-setting or keep it simple, your family will love this new holiday tradition.