Scout Elves can't talk but are great listeners: children can share secrets and wishes with their Elf as often as they'd like.

There's even been a paper published about how the Elf can have negative repercussions on kids by the Canadian Center for Policy Alternatives, in which professors Laura Elizabeth Pinto and Selena Nemorin claim that while the Elf “may be part of a pre-Christmas game and might help manage children's behaviors in the weeks leading up to the holiday, it also sets children up for dangerous, uncritical acceptance of power structures.” Even with its growing popularity, Carol, Chanda and Christa want to keep one thing constant: to appreciate the elves’ simplicity. Christa shared with the Huffpost: “Everyone can enjoy The Elf on the Shelf for its general simplicity. It doesn’t need batteries. It’s all about imagination and some Christmas magic in the mix.” Writing an apology to Santa for the accident: This is considered "the most effective way" to help get your elf up and running as normal. You already know this one, but remember: Scout Elves should return to the North Pole on Christmas Eve so they can help jolly ol' Saint Nicholas prepare for next December 25.This activity sees parents, grandparents, family members and guardians wake up extra early every morning (or at night after the kids have gone to bed) to place the Elf in a different area or room of the house, usually up to some sort of mischief. It's a firm favourite in many households as the nearly month-long event sees kids race around the house looking for their Scout Elf each morning. Elf on the Shelf is a Christmas tradition started by Carol Aebersold and her twin daughters, Chanda Bell and Christa Pitts. Each Elf on the Shelf kit consists of the Elf on the Shelf: A Christmas Tradition book and a Scout Elf. They might, but some experts are concerned that this end might not justify the means, however merry.

Considered the most important rule, the Scout Elf must never be touched (of course, apart from when the parents move them around) as that will cause them to lose their magical powers. While most parents create their own Elf On The Shelf poems tailored towards their children, there are a range of places you can look for inspiration.Ultimately, there really aren’t incredibly hard and fast rules about Elf on the Shelf. It is supposed to be fun. Exactly how the Elf on the Shelf works, it seems, is ultimately up to you. There are definitely ways to put a positive spin on this tradition if you decide that your family is ready for a pointy-eared friend.

She is a graduate of Binghamton University in New York and the journalism school of City University in London, where she earned a Masters in international journalism. The busy Scout Elves must return to the North Pole on Christmas Eve to help Santa prepare for next Christmas. According to "Elf on the Shelf 101," if a Scout Elf was accidentally touched, their magical powers can be restored via one of the following methods: If you’re looking for a heartwarming Elf on the Shelf alternative, you can try doing “Journey to Bethlehem” this Christmas. What Are the Rules for Elf on the Shelf?

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Now Elf on the Shelf has grown. There are additional books, movies, merchandise and more to support the growing phenomenon. Santa is getting ready to unleash his fleet of Scout Elves to children's houses around the world. Yes, it's Elf on the Shelf time!

Elf on the Shelf humbly began as one of Carol Aebersold’s childhood traditions with her family’s elf, Fisbee. In 2005, Carol and her two daughters decided to share their childhood traditions with the world. Together, they began a worldwide media sensation when they self-published their book and elf kit, Elf on the Shelf: A Christmas Tradition. Find ideas on the Elf on the Shelf blog. Here you'll find the countless silly and fun ways elves return to homes, plus ideas for elves to arrive for the first time and to say goodbye before they leave. Since then, the family has created other products inspired by ideas sent in from kids across the globe. 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. Ten of the most amazing celebrity children’s rooms from Rochelle Humes' brood to Jamie Oliver's View gallery Every family has their own favorite Christmas traditions that they celebrate with each year—like kissing under the mistletoe, baking a Christmas ham, and caroling for the neighbors. In the Drummond household, the annual holiday activities include taking pictures in matching Christmas pajamas and enjoying homemade cinnamon rolls. But there's one tradition that's become increasingly popular with families in recent years: Elf on the Shelf!Over the years, the elves have gotten very creative − sometimes funny, sometimes mischievous − about where they land. Kids have found their elves in refrigerator doors, ziplining from dining room lights or even hiding in jars from stinky farts. When did Elf on the Shelf start? Despite these official rules, every family has their own spin on the tradition. You should feel free to make it work for your family, if you decide to do it. Elf on the Shelf pros & cons In some cases, they could also disappear when touched, such as when a dog might get a hold of them. So, what if you want your Elf to come a little early this Christmas? Or maybe you're hoping they can make a surprise visit for a special occasion outside of the holiday season—like birthdays. It's totally possible! There's just a few things you'll need to know to make it happen. Most importantly, only Santa can grant permission to allow Scout Elves to leave The North Pole. Because of that, the first thing you should do when wanting an early arrival from your Elf is get in touch with the Big Man in Red himself. Write a letter telling him why you want your Scout Elf to visit!