Elf on a Shelf is a Christmas tradition for many families
The elf on a shelf tradition is a Christmas tradition that many families do each year. In this tradition, an elf acts as the eyes of Santa Claus and reports back to Santa whether or not your children have been naughty or nice.
In order for this to work, parents must hide the elf from their children every night before they go to bed, and then return the elf to a new hiding place each morning. The elf is magical and will move on his own from night tonight.
The elves often come with their own cloth clothing, but you can also purchase additional clothes for your elf before he comes to live in your home.
Elf on a Shelf Has Been Around Since 1939
For decades, the elf on a shelf was only an idea that parents had. The first book about this tradition was not published until 2005.
it's a tradition that brings joy into the home
The Elf on the Shelf has become a popular tradition for many families, and without knowing its origin story, it can be assumed that this is another new Christmas fad. But the tradition of using an elf to monitor children's behaviour has been around for decades. In her book
The Elf on the Shelf, author Carol Aebersold describes the idea of the elf in this way:
The Elf on the Shelf is a toy, not a real elf. He was created based on that centuries-old tradition that Santa sends an elf to keep an eye on who's being naughty and who's being nice."
Well, well, I think it's about time we are sharing this tradition with our children.
The tradition of the Elf on the Shelf begins on December 1, when an elf doll is placed in a different room of the house or somewhere else in plain sight. Each morning, the elf has moved to another location within the house; parents strongly encourage their children to look for him each day and discover his new location.
This continues throughout December until Christmas Eve when it is said that the elf returns to the North Pole to tell Santa whether the children have been good or bad.
Why you should try it out this year
For some of you, this might be your very first year trying out the elf on the shelf. For others, it's just another tradition that you've grown up with.
It's an amazing tool for communication, teaching them about Santa Claus (if you want), getting in touch with their creativity, and it will bring the whole family together in front of the Christmas tree on one magical night!
All you need are two main ingredients: an elf doll, and the accompanying story.
Elf on the shelf is a beautiful tradition that's been around since 2005. It was made popular by Carol Aebersold in her book ' The Elf on the Shelf ', and is now brought to life through this amazing story:
The elf arrives stealthily in your home and hides, waiting for you to discover his presence. Once the kids are fast asleep, he comes out of hiding and watches what they do throughout the night. He then reports back to Santa Claus every morning with details about their behaviour!
A simple, but effective way to get your kids into the Christmas spirit!
How should I decorate my house with elves this year?
Whether it's a family tradition, a fad, or simply an excuse to mess with your kids, the Elf on the Shelf has become as popular as Santa Claus himself.
But what if you aren't quite sure how to decorate for this year's elf festivities? Never fear--House Beautiful is here! Just follow these simple steps and your house will be elf-ready in no time!
Step 1: Dress the Elf!
The first, most important step to having a decorated home is getting your elf into festive attire. Be sure to select the right elf clothing for your elf's personality. Dainty elves can wear dainty apparel, while jolly elves should put on something jolly.
Don't forget accessories! A hat or sunglasses can really bring the whole look together. It's completely up to you if your elf wears shoes, but we recommend against it unless they're boots. Elves don't wear shoes, so why should yours?
Step 2: Decorate for the holidays
Now that your elf is dressed to impress, it's time to decorate! If your elf will be sitting on the mantel, be sure to include some holiday decorations.
A small tree or garland can really brighten up the room--just make sure your elf fits in with the rest of the scene! If they're wearing red and white-hued clothing, include a wreath or a decoration with a similar colour scheme.
For elves that will be sitting on the kitchen counter, festive dinnerware is a must. A simple placemat can make all the difference! If you don't have any lying around, try adding an elf dish to your collection--or do as we do and use a hand towel as a napkin!
Step 3: Keep them busy!
The final step is to keep your elf busy while they're waiting for the big guy to arrive. We recommend leaving an elf-sized easter basket out filled with hay and all of your elves favourite treats, such as acorns and pine cones. You could also leave them a game to play, but make sure it's one that won't tear up your house!
Don't forget to include some fun elf activities! If you decide to be creative or you can name your elf with personalised name stickers and decorate paper plates with different activities--like puzzles or colouring sheets--you'll have something ready for when your elf wakes up on December 1st.
Now that your house is elf-ready, be sure to take plenty of pictures as the holiday season approaches.
