What’s the Story Behind the Elf on the Shelf?

•  The Christmas Classic Picture Book Pantheon is a hard one to break into. You have your Grinches and your Polar Expresses holding down the fort, so how amazing is it that a picture book from 2004 broke through? The Elf on the Shelf is a new tradition, as explained in the video above, created by Carol Aebersold and her daughter Chanda Bell (and illustrated by Coë Steinwart), initially as a self published picture book.  The book tells the tale of a scout elf, who is sent by Santa to be loved by children and watch over them to make sure the kids stay nice and not naughty. The kids are nit to touch the elf, or the elf might lose its magic. At the end of the season, the elf reports back to Santa for Christmas. The book comes with an elf doll that you can place somewhere in your home that will watch wether you’re good or bad. Since then The Elf on the Shelf has had a television special, a Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade, and even a birthday sequel — The Elf on the Shelf: A Birthday Tradition, proving that being watched a tiny magical being is more than a seasonal fad!  What are your best Elf on the Shelf memories? Let us know in the comments or on Twitter at @WhatsTrending, and have an amazing holiday!

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