Elf on the Shelf is a toy which is sent by Father Christmas to watch over little children and make sure they're behaving properly over the festive period. I know I’ve caught myself wondering, what is the hype with this little elf anyway? The leader of Sri Lanka's Catholics urged priests on not to put up Christmas trees in their churches over the festive period, saying they had no religious significance. Models wearing Santa Claus costumes wait to attend a special event to promote business in coincide with Christmas at Shinsegae department store in Seoul, South Korea. Christa shared with the Huffpost, “Everyone can enjoy The Elf on the Shelf for its general simplicity. Meanwhile, retailers have turned the traditions in a merchandise opportunity. A volunteer dressed in a Father Christmas (Santa Claus) outfit distributes gifts to children of asylum-seekers, as they arrive at the Schoenefeld train station near Berlin on December 24, 2015, before being dispatched to various refugee centres in or near the German capital. This interactive holiday hide-and-seek tradition is perfect for children and families of all ages. It's almost Christmas - and with it comes Elf on the Shelf, sent by Santa Claus to check on children across the country. Second, the elf does not speak or move while the children are awake (psst— for all parents out there, wait until your kids are asleep before you move your elf). Elf on the Shelf is a Christmas tradition that started over a cup of tea between Carol Aebersold and her daughter Chanda Bell. The premise of Elf on the Shelf is this: parents put the toy elf up on a shelf during the holiday season. The Elf on the Shelf® is a fun-filled Christmas tradition that has captured the hearts of children everywhere who welcome home one of Santa’s Scout Elves each holiday season. The Elf on the Shelf is a Christmas tradition that originated with a book of the same name in 2005. Over the years, the book has grown in popularity both in the US and the UK and has now become a tradition for a lot of families. Kids all over the world already believe in Santa Claus, so Elf on the Shelf is just a natural extension of that. The Elf on the Shelf book explains that the elves get their magic when they are named. Traditionally, the Elf moves around the home every day from Thanksgiving until Christmas Eve and then returns every year. Leandro is part of a volunteer group of residents of Mare slums complex that distributes donated toys to children of the community. That villain was the Elf on the Shelf. The Elf on the Shelf ® is a fun-filled Christmas tradition that has captured the hearts of children everywhere who welcome home one of Santa’s Scout Elves each holiday season. Even with its growing popularity, Carol, Chanda and Christa want to keep one thing constant: to appreciate the elves’ simplicity. Parents put the elf on a shelf in early December and inform their children that he will always be watching and judging them for signs of bad behaviour. The elves then fly back and hide in a new spot for the children to find him the next morning. Our Elf is named Franklin because we’d just visited the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia, PA. The History of Elf on the Shelf In 2005, creator Carol Aebersold (a stay-at-home mom at the time) and her daughter, Chanda Bell, published a children’s book … Parents can now buy their own Elf on the Shelf from retailers across the UK such as Tesco for £31,95 or from the Elf on the Shelf’s official website from £29.95. In 2005, Carol Aebersold and her daughter, Chanda Bell, co-authored the book The Elf on the Shelf: A Christmas Tradition, which quickly grew legs of its own. Last year they were sold out at most stores around me and I had a really hard time finding one! Why Elf On The Shelf Is Actually Bad For Your Kids. An elf on the shelf is a Christmas elf decoration that sits on the shelf of the homes of children in the run-up to Christmas. In the book, magical Christmas Scout Elves help Santa to take care of his Naughty or Nice List by watching over families at home … When does the elf on the shelf arrive? Write Santa a letter, find adoption centers and meet the Elf Pets Reindeer! The Elf on the Shelf tradition can be started at any age, but most parents recommend waiting until your child is between the ages of 2 and 3. However, some psychologists warned the idea of Santa sending a scout to watch over children could actually be harming and cause anxiety. The Elf on the Shelf is dispatched from the North Pole  to keep a watchful eye on the children, Find your bookmarks in your Independent Premium section, under my profile. No matter the age, there’s always magic to be found with Elf on the Shelf. Farmers began carving radishes into figures as a way to attract customers attention during the Christmas market. "This unknown can cause real anxiety, especially those who may already have a fear of ‘haunted toys’, or toys they have seen come alive in films.”. Leandro Wendell dos Santos, 14, wearing a Santa Claus costume, plays with kids as he walks along the alley of the Mare slums complex to distribute presents to children in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Since then, the family has created other products inspired by ideas sent in from kids across the globe. Elf on the Shelf humbly began as one of Carol Aebersold’s childhood traditions with her family’s elf, Fisbee. Every year thousands of Christian pilgrims travel to the church that marks the site of the cave in which Jesus is said to have been born. Elf on the Shelf is the new Christmas craze sweeping parents and children across the globe. We’ve all been there. Sri Lankan pedestrians walk past a decorated Christmas tree in Colombo. This tradition is easy to uphold and follows two simple rules: First, children cannot touch the elf or he will lose his magic. Start your Independent Premium subscription today. The magical Scout Elves help Santa manage his nice list by taking note of a family’s Christmas adventures and reporting back to Santa at the North Pole nightly. Nigerian pilgrims gather at the Church of Nativity in Bethlehem, West Bank. Elf on the Shelf is a newly found Christmas tradition started by Carol Aebersold and her twin daughters, Chanda Bell and Christa Pitts. Once Jennifer Garner was seen with the Elf on the Shelf book tucked under her arm, The Today Show jumped on the story and the rest is history. The Elf on the Shelf: A Christmas Tradition is the very special tool that helps Santa know who to put on the Naughty and Nice list. Elf on the Shelf is a tradition that has made its way from America, meant as a way to keep children on their best behaviour in the run-up to Christmas Creatively Classic Activities and Books. The Elf On The Shelf is a special ‘Scout Elf’ sent from the North Pole by Santa Claus, to help manage his nice or naughty list. Any undesirable behaviour is reported back to the big boss himself, who alters his naughty/nice list accordingly. Together, they began a worldwide media sensation when they self-published their book and elf kit, Elf on the Shelf: A Christmas Tradition. The magical Scout Elves help Santa manage his nice list by taking note of a family’s Christmas adventures and reporting back to Santa at the North Pole nightly. Meanwhile, Dr Katherine Edward, a chartered and clinical psychologist, said the elf might prevent children from learning from their own mistakes. What is Elf on the Shelf? Our journalists will try to respond by joining the threads when they can to create a true meeting of independent Premium. She enjoys trying out local foodie restaurants and coffeehouses and adding copious amounts of garlic and cheese to any recipe she can get her hands on. The Elf on the Shelf – Girl While the Elf on the Shelf is a newer version, this is an old tradition that dates back to the 1970’s in Georgia. The original Elf on the Shelf is based on a book of the same name, written by Carole Aebersold and Chandra Bell and is designed to improve kids’ behaviour by encouraging them to stay on Santa’s "nice list". Once the Elf receives it’s name, it gives them the magic to fly back and forth to the North Pole. Elf on the Shelf Ideas. Elf On The Shelf: A Christmas Tradition. The blow to Colombiaís holiday tradition is poignant given that El Nino is thought to be a reference to the baby Jesus, a name given to the climatic phenomenon long ago by South Americans who noted that it seemed to arrive around Christmas time. THE Elf on the Shelf has taken off in recent years as parents use the toys to "keep a watchful eye" over their children during the festive period. Your elf on the shelf can arrive anytime! Then, don’t forget to register your elf on the shelf online to get a special adoption letter from Santa at the North Pole Registry! A young Thai student wearing a Santa hat poses for a photograph during a Christmas event at a school in the world heritage city of Ayutthaya, north of Bangkok, Thailand, 24 December 2015. The child-friendly answer: meet your friendly scout elf who Santa sent from the North Pole to check whether children are being naughty or nice in the run-up to Christmas. The point of Elf on the Shelf is to add another layer of innocence to the Christmas holiday season. Home Holidays & Events Holidays Christmas. Are you sure you want to delete this comment? Hungarians could outspend last year's record on seasonal treats and Christmas fondants, giving some premium brands a hard time to keep up with strong demand. The Elf on the Shelf: An Elf Story available from Netflix this year. What is Elf on the Shelf? Sri Lanka is a mainly Buddhist country but around 1.2 million of its overall population of 21 million people are Catholics. This will instil a sense of wonder and gentle fear within your child, ensuring that they maintain their best behaviour. Yes, the one with the mischievous smile that gets into over-the-top, precarious situations. Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? But it wasn’t until 2007 when the true magic began. The existing Open Comments threads will continue to exist for those who do not subscribe to Independent Premium. Where to get an Elf on the Shelf… If you don’t have an Elf on the Shelf and you’d love to start this tradition with your own family, you can get one on Amazon! Bon Bon, a 12-month-old koala, celebrating with Christmas decorations at the Rainforestation Nature Park in Cairns, Australia. Taste of Home is America's #1 cooking magazine. Currently, they’ve expanded from their traditional Elf on the Shelf kit into Elf Pets, an elf clothing line, and even Elf on the Shelf: A Christmas Musical in select cities this year. The annual event is one of many held to celebrate the Christmas season in predominantly Buddhist Thailand. The Night of the Radishes is an annual carving event two days before christmas that has its origins in the colonial period when radishes were introduced by the Spanish. You’re scrolling through Facebook and Pinterest and you keep seeing THAT elf. Santa’s elves are said to have been dispatched from the North Pole to every home at the start of December to watch over children in the house. 1. The most insightful comments on all subjects will be published daily in dedicated articles. Well, after a little digging, I’m ready to dish to you everything you’ve been dying to know about Christmas’ newest tradition. Some parents wait all year to bake welcome treats for the elf’s first night back while others enjoy the simplicity of reading the book nightly to their children. You can find our Community Guidelines in full here. Move over Frosty the Snowman, The Elf on the Shelf is the household name when it comes to Christmas traditions. Elf on the Shelf is a classic holiday tradition for young kids all around the world. Are you sure you want to mark this comment as inappropriate? They claim it’s the perfect sweet spot for children to appreciate and understand the elves’ magic while establishing this family tradition at a young age. It allows our most engaged readers to debate the big issues, share their own experiences, discuss real-world solutions, and more. You can also choose to be emailed when someone replies to your comment. Think about it – sure, blue is fine for December when it’s a one-time thing and the Elf … It doesn’t need batteries. Elf on the Shelf is a tradition that has made its way from America, meant as a way to keep children on their best behaviour in the run-up to Christmas. A man dressed as Santa Claus water skis alongside reindeer on the Potomac River in Alexandra, Virginia. Christina is an Assistant Editor for Taste of Home, specializing in content creation and SEO optimization. Dedicated Elf on the Shelf parents scour Pinterest and follow hashtags like #elfontheshelfideas or #elfontheshelf on Instagram for inspiration of where and how to place their elf each night. The popular Christmas tradition involves a storybook and accompanying pixie elf figure.According to the book, the elf is a “scout elf” who sits on a shelf or table or another part of a family’s home to observe the children’s behavior during the holiday season. If the idea of an Elf send by Santa himself could add to the magic of Christmas, some child experts warned that the concept could also cause fear and shame in children. Elf on the Shelf is a newly found Christmas tradition started by Carol Aebersold and her twin daughters, Chanda Bell and Christa Pitts. As with Black Friday, the tradition has been imported from the US and adopted by parents in the UK in recent years. Please be respectful when making a comment and adhere to our Community Guidelines. The scout elf gets its magic by being named by you and being loved by you. Each Elf on the Shelf kit ($30) consists of the Elf on the Shelf: A Christmas Tradition book and a Scout Elf. Each Elf on the Shelf kit ($30) consists of the Elf on the Shelf: A Christmas Tradition book and a Scout Elf. The official home of Santa’s scout elves, featuring products, ideas, games and more. Growing up they had an elf on the shelf named Frisbee who would watch the two daughters during the day and report back to Santa during the nighttime hours. Elf on the Shelf is a Christmas toy which emerges from a Children’s story book that goes as back as 2005. Blue milk sets a bad precedent. Posada Mexicana commemorates the journey of the Holy Family from Galilee to Bethlehem, Italian artist Gaspare di Caro, right, lights up Christ the Redeemer in Rio, A view of All Saints Cathedral, decorated ahead of Christmas celebrations, in Allahabad, Firefighter Hector Chacon, centre, dressed as Father Christmas, delivers gifts to impoverished children after descending from a 150-metre bridge, behind, A Father Christmas is painted onto a wall in a Christian neighbourhood in Karachi, 3D projections designed by students of the Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology are projected onto the facade of the Presidential Palace, A snowman and Christmas tree erected in Red Square, People crowd around for a view of a 3D Christmas tree erected in a shopping park, Cleaners dressed in a Father Christmas and a reindeer costume clean the windows of a shopping mall, A woman prays at the Shanghai International Chapel during a Christmas Eve Mass, A Bangladeshi man dressed as Father Christmas entertains children during an event to mark Christmas Day in Dhaka, {{#verifyErrors}} {{message}} {{/verifyErrors}} {{^verifyErrors}} {{message}} {{/verifyErrors}}, How the Elf on the Shelf could ruin Christmas for your children, Polish Christmas ad about grandfather learning English melts heart, You may not agree with our views, or other users’, but please respond to them respectfully, Swearing, personal abuse, racism, sexism, homophobia and other discriminatory or inciteful language is not acceptable, Do not impersonate other users or reveal private information about third parties, We reserve the right to delete inappropriate posts and ban offending users without notification. The predominantly Roman Catholic Philippines boasts of having the longest Christmas celebration that starts every last quarter of the year. In 2005, Carol and her two daughters, Chanda Bell and Christa Pitts, decided to share their childhood tradition with the world. What is Elf on the Shelf? Elf on the Shelf is a Christmas tradition where a special scout is sent to your home from the North Pole to encourage kids to behave themselves. The Elf on the Shelf is a story written by Carol Aebersold and Chanda Bell. As we near Christmas day, here is everything you need to know about this growing holiday tradition. They are supposed to move the little toy around the house to create the illusion that he is popping up in different locations and always reporting back to Father Christmas. What is Elf on the Shelf? The Elf on The Shelf. Families with older children can also join in on the fun by helping the parents set up the elves each night for their younger siblings or parents can tailor the elves’ shenanigans to their age level. All in all, this quirky tradition is what your family makes of it. The elf then plays a game of hide-and-seek with the kids who find the elf in a new place every day (via Vox).The elf is, essentially, watching over the children to eventually report back to Santa in the North Pole.. Typically, Scout Elves love to hide in sneaky spots around the house and sometimes they like to stir up mischief in the kitchen the night before. Due to the sheer scale of this comment community, we are not able to give each post the same level of attention, but we have preserved this area in the interests of open debate. She said: "The concern I would have with the “Elf” is the manner in which children might feel that they have ‘ruined’ something and cannot make it right if they show what is natural curiosity and pushing of boundaries".