
What does the green elf on the shelf do? 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 idea is that Santa's little helper watches the children by day, and each night, it returns to the North Pole to report on whether they were naughty or nice.
Full Answer
How does Elf on the shelf really work?
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 idea is that Santa's little helper watches the children by day, and each night, it returns to the North Pole to report on whether they were naughty or nice..
Does the Elf on the shelf actually have magic?
The Elf on the Shelf explains that scout elves get their magic by being named and being loved by a child. …. Once the elf is named, the scout elf receives its special Christmas magic, which allows it to fly to and from the North Pole. Read the full answer. Once your Scout Elf has their magic, they must preserve it as much as they can.
What is the story behind Elf on shelf?
What is Elf on the Shelf? Elf on the Shelf is a Christmas tradition that started over a cup of tea between Carol Aebersold and her daughter Chanda Bell. Chanda came up the idea of writing a Christmas story about an elf sent from Santa who comes to watch over the children.
How do you get the Elf on the shelf?
What do you do if you can’t find your Elf on the Shelf?
- Whip Up a North Pole Treat. Mrs. …
- Capture the Memories. Little ones will feel better about their elf’s return to the North Pole if they’re able to compile their favorite memories and save them to revisit throughout ...
- Write a Letter to Your Elf. …
- Keep Building Cheer.

What do the green elves do?
Green-Elves are mainly the healers that are seen within cities and villages. They are masters at creating all kinds of things to do with chemistry.
Do parents actually move the elf on the shelf?
Are grown-ups allowed to intervene? Santa advises that no family member touch their Elf on the Shelf, but he does describe a few rare instances when an adult may use tongs or potholders to help an elf in an urgent situation.
What are the rules for Elf on a shelf?
What are the Rules for Elf on the Shelf?The Kids can not touch the elf. ... The elf does not move nor speak when the kids are awake.The Elf Reports back to Santa at night when they fly back to the north pole to let Santa know how the kids were that day. ... Be Kind.
What does Elf on the Shelf do at night?
Started by mother-daughter duo Carol Aebersold and Chanda Bell, the Elf on the Shelf rules are simple: The Scout Elf watches over your family during the day, and then checks in with Santa each night to reveal who is being naughty and who is being nice. After these nightly trips, they return to a new spot each day.
Why you shouldn't do Elf on the Shelf?
“Elf on the Shelf” undermines a child's natural motivation to try hard and do her best. For example, if a child cleans up her room in the hope of getting more presents at Christmas, she'll be less likely to clean up her room at other times of the year, because there's no incentive.
Can you touch Elf on the Shelf on Christmas Eve?
The official Elf on the Shelf website details the three rules to follow. The first and most important rule is that you must NOT touch your Elf. If you do, they will lose all their magic - and nobody wants that to happen. When scout elves lose their magic, they can't go about their Christmas duties.
What does The Elf on the Shelf do when child misbehaves?
The elf moves around the house, ready to catch unsuspecting children misbehaving so that he can report back to Santa. The tradition was created to encourage children to be on their best behavior during the holidays, and it is based on a 2004 book of the same name by Chanda Bell.
Does Elf on the Shelf have to move everyday?
According to elf legend, the elf moves each night. Some mornings, though, kids might find themselves asking why the elf is still in its same place. Here are a few possible reasons that Santa's helper may not have found a new position in your home.
What are parents supposed to do with Elf on the Shelf?
Elf on the Shelf is a Christmas tradition that sees parents moving an Elf on the Shelf (also known as a "Scout Elf") around the house every day to keep an eye on children ahead of Santa's visit.
What age should you stop elf on a shelf?
By age eight, kids begin to acknowledge the unlikeliness of one man travelling the world in a single night. The good news? If you started the tradition of Elf on the Shelf in your household, you can likely send the elf into early retirement around your child's eighth Christmas.
Do parents move the elf at night?
Elf moves back and hides in a new place in the morning. Children are allowed to send their wishes to Santa through Elf. Note: Parents should understand that there are two rules of placing the Elf on the Shelf officially. Firstly, parents should change the position of the Elf every night when their children are asleep.
Why did my Elf on the Shelf not move?
If your elf didn't move, they may be trying to communicate an important message to you! If your elf is accidentally touched, they may have just enough energy to get to the North Pole but not enough magic to create a whole new scene in your home.
How do parents do Elf on the Shelf?
Elf On The Shelf Rules For Newbie ParentsHe or she needs a name. ... He or she arrives whenever the heck you want. ... He or she moves every night while the kids are sleeping. ... He or she watches over the kids all day. ... The kids can't touch their Elf. ... The Elf doesn't move or speak while the kids are awake.More items...•
What happens if parents touch Elf on the Shelf?
Elves are very fragile, and if they are touched by human children they lose their magic and ability to communicate with Santa.
When should parents put out the Elf on the Shelf?
When does Elf on the Shelf come? The Elf on the Shelf website recommends your Elf arrive between November 24 through December 1. This is also known as Scout Elf Return week, a.k.a. the time when Santa's little helpers flee the North Pole and head out to the houses they'll be staying at until Christmas.
What happens if a parent touches an elf?
Because, per official Elf on the Shelf lore, a touched Scout Elf loses their magic. Learning this fact could leave your kids spiraling down an endless rabbit hole of unwanted outcomes — ending up on the naughty list and Christmas being cancelled being their chief concerns, according to my own kids.
When does Elf on the Shelf leave?
You'll want to make sure your Elf leaves at the right time so as not to spoil the magic! It's suggested that Elf on the Shelf ends on the night of December 24, when they hitch a ride with Santa on his sleigh after he leaves presents at your house. Your kids can say their goodbyes to their new friend before going to bed, promising that they'll see them again next year. And, just in case your Elf doesn't leave on December 24 (it's okay if you forget!), you'll find some clever suggestions on the website as to why they had to stick around a little longer. 😉
When do elfs arrive?
The Elf on the Shelf website recommends your Elf arrive between November 24 through December 1. This is also known as Scout Elf Return week, a.k.a. the time when Santa's little helpers flee the North Pole and head out to the houses they'll be staying at until Christmas. Make sure their entrance is a big one—after all, they remind your kids to be on their best behavior!
