What is an Elf on the Shelf?

What the Elf on the Shelf is:

The elf on the shelf is a Christmas tradition for families to enjoy. It originated because the question of how Santa would really know who was on the naughty or nice list was among children everywhere. The answer showed up in the form of a small pixie-elf.

The elf’s assignment is to be Santa’s helper by watching and reporting back to him.

Choose and Elf:

Once you decide if this is a Christmas tradition you want to start, you need to start thinking about what kind of elf you would like. You can choose from many different options: boy or girl, light or dark skin, blue or brown eyes. You can also choose if you want your book in English or Spanish.

Where to find an Elf:

You can find an elf on the official website, in Santa’s store. For $29.95, you get an adoptable scout elf, illustrated storybook, keepsake box, and an official adoption certificate.

Many stores also carry these adorable elves: Walmart, Barnes and Noble, Michael’s Craft Store, Kohl’s, Target, Hallmark, etc.

You can also find them on Amazon.

When the elf shows up and how long it stays:

Each year the elf comes back to your home around the holidays. Many show up on Thanksgiving or December 1st. The elf stays until the night before Christmas, when it will return back to Santa for the rest of the year.

When the elf first arrives for the year, you want to make this a very special moment. One that your children will remember, and look forward to year after year. This helps create the magic of the elf!

What to do with the Elf on the Shelf:

The first time the elf arrives at your home, read the storybook. It gives you all of the directions you need and helps the children understand this new tradition through an illustrated picture book.

Then, you need to give your elf a name. By doing this, is signifies that you are officially adopting it. Then you can go online and register your elf’s name at www.elfontheshelf.com and receive a special response from Santa.

The elf’s main responsibility is to watch the children’s behavior and report it to Santa each night.

By the next morning when the children wake up, with the help of Christmas magic, the elf has returned from the North Pole and is in a new and different place. He sits and waits to see who will be the one to spot him. It turns into a game. Sometimes he brings gifts, writes messages, and even plays tricks.

To protect the elf’s Christmas magic, children are not allowed to touch it. However, it is encouraged for them to talk to it. Even though children may communicate with their elf and share secrets, they are told that the elf is under strict orders from Santa not to talk to them back. It is only there to listen to the children, but could talk to grown-ups.

The purpose of the Elf on the Shelf:

So what’s the point of having an elf in your home around the holidays? The purpose of this tradition, is to help children control themselves, and manipulate their behavior. This is done with a simple reminder of, the “elf is watching.” This tradition has proven results of modifying poor behavior and influencing positive behavior.

Because of the magic of Christmas, the elf is able to hear and see everything. Even at school! It can write letters, leave messages, or talk to the grown-ups about the children’s behavior.

Additional Elf Information:

You can visit the official Elf on the Shelf website to register your elf, get more information, ideas, crafts, games, and activities for kids.

There are Facebook groups you can join to see and share your elf ideas.

There are many different accessories now that you can purchase for your elf. You can find clothes, tools, and even pets.

Along with reading the storybook, “The Elf on the Shelf: A Christmas Tradition,” you can also watch the movie, “An Elf’s Story.”

You can also have an elf for your classroom as part of your behavior management plan during the holidays.

Check out my classroom “Elf Off the Shelf,” and see all of his travels and adventures with a Flat Stanley inspired version.