If you've heard other parents talking about their "Elf on the Shelf" and felt a little lost, you're not alone. This tradition has become huge, but it's not something every family knows about or does. Maybe you're curious about what all the fuss is, or perhaps you're wondering if it's something you should consider for your kids this year.
The good news is that it's not complicated, and there's no pressure to jump on board if it doesn't feel right for your family.
What Exactly Is the Elf on the Shelf?
At its core, the Elf on the Shelf is simple. It is a book paired with a Scout Elf figurine that parents use to encourage good behavior during the holidays. The concept is that the elf watches your children and reports nightly to Santa about whether they've been nice or naughty. Each morning, the elf shows up in a new spot around the house, hopefully somewhere that makes your kids smile or laugh.
The rules are also simple. Kids can't touch the elf (it will lose its magic if they do). The elf doesn't speak or move while children are awake. And every single night, it's the parents' job to relocate it somewhere new.
The Elf on the Shelf wasn't always the cultural juggernaut it is today. In 2005, Carol Aebersold, a stay-at-home mom, and her daughter Chanda Bell created the book based on their own family tradition dating back to the 1970s. Their family had a Scandinavian elf named Fisbee that would move around the house and report to Santa each night.
When publishers rejected their idea, Aebersold and Bell didn't give up. They self-published 5,000 copies using credit cards and retirement funds, then sold them out of their cars and at state fairs. By 2007, when actress Jennifer Garner was photographed with the book, momentum began to shift.
Today, over 30 million Scout Elves and Elf Pets have found homes with families worldwide, and the elf even has its own float in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Why Parents Love It (and Why They Don't)
About 36 percent of parents with young children have an Elf on the Shelf. The reasons are pretty much the same: 61 percent say it's simply fun. Another 30 percent view it as a family tradition, and about 22 percent use it as a tool for behavior management.
Among parents who don't have an elf, 18 percent cite the same reason: it's too much work. Moving a toy every single night, coming up with creative placements, and maintaining the magic doesn't fit into every family's holiday plans. Some parents also find the concept "weird or creepy" (32 percent of non-elf households).
So, Should You or Should You Not Have an Elf on the Shelf?
The answer really depends on your family. If you have the time and energy to move an elf each night without it feeling like a chore, and if your kids genuinely light up at the magic of it, then it can be a wonderful part of your holiday season.
On the other hand, if you're already stretched thin during the holidays, or if the idea of nightly tasks makes you tired just thinking about it, you don't need to do this. Your kids won't miss out on a magical childhood without an elf.
