The Elf on the Shelf kit includes a holiday-themed storybook explaining the magical story of the Elf on the Shelf, a festive-looking elf, a keepsake box for safekeeping, and an adoption certificate for your elf! The storybook provides instruction on how to maximize the joy of the holiday tradition.
On the first day of December, families hide the elf in a different spot each night, and after the children go to bed, the elf is free to fly back to the North Pole to report to Santa about the behavior of the children that day.
Every morning, the children try to find where the elf is hiding. The elf’s presence is meant to remind the children that they should be on their best behavior to get on the nice list.
What are elf on the shelf supposed to do?
Elf on the Shelf is a popular holiday tradition in many households. The playful scout elves get their Christmas magic from Santa Claus, and are sent to homes around the world to help keep the Christmas spirit alive.
The elves are sent to remind everyone that Santa is watching. They are also responsible for reporting back to Santa on who is naughty or nice.
The Elf on the Shelf tradition starts with the adult in the home who will act as Santa’s “Elf”, giving the chosen Elf a special name and a unique personality. On the night of December 1st, the North Pole magically sends the Elf to your home to be your family’s holiday helper.
Every morning, the Elf will take up a new spot in the home and can be found causing fun and mischief around the house.
Each night while everyone is asleep, the Elf flies back to the North Pole to let Santa know how everyone behaved. Then the next morning, the Elf will return to the home and resume his magic duties for the day.
To keep the spirit of Christmas alive, it’s important to follow one simple rule: Don’t touch the elf! Once the Elf is touched it loses its Christmas magic and can no longer fly back to the North Pole.
Can parents touch your elf on the shelf?
The Elf on the Shelf is a beloved holiday tradition for many families, but the rules of elf etiquette can be confusing. Generally speaking, parents cannot touch the Elf on the Shelf, as the magic of the elf is said to be weakened when adults interact with them.
However, it is said that if a child accidentally touches the elf, their Christmas magic won’t be affected. Additionally, it is perfectly acceptable for adults to move the elf from one location to another (just remember not to touch the elf!) It is important to remember that the elf is meant to be a fun and magical part of the holiday season and touching the elf can ruin that magic.
How does Elf on the Shelf arrive for the first time?
Elf on the Shelf typically arrives on the first day of the holiday season or on the night before the first day of December. Upon the elf’s arrival, many families introduce the elf to the children, explain the backstory of the “scout elf” who reports to Santa on the children’s behaviors, and read The Elf on the Shelf book.
On the elf’s first night in their new home, the children wake up to find the elf in a different spot in their home. As the name implies, the elf can be found perched on various shelves or other spots around the home.
From there, the children are encouraged to give the elf a name and come up with ideas of where to place the elf each day. The elf returns to the North Pole each night and watches the family’s activities, reporting back to Santa.
The elf will typically move to a new spot each morning and will often surprise the family with small gifts, activities, and games.
What should I do if my child touches the elf on the shelf?
If your child has touched the Elf on the Shelf, it is important to remember that the Elf is still watching and reporting back to Santa. You should gently explain to your child the importance of not touching their Elf.
Let them know that they can still talk to the Elf, tell the Elf stories, sing songs, and write them special letters, but that if they touch the Elf, it will lose its magic and won’t be able to report to Santa.
You can also explain to your child that the Elf can only report to Santa when it is left alone and not touched by anyone. You may also want to suggest that if your child wants to interact with the Elf, they can do so without actually touching it.
Your child can blow a kiss or sing a song or make a sign for the Elf instead of touching it.
Can you touch Elf on the Shelf on Christmas Eve?
Yes, you can touch your Elf on the Shelf on Christmas Eve but it’s important to remember that this only works if you have already completed your Elf’s job of reporting back to Santa. If the Elf is still on the shelf monitoring behaviors the night before Christmas, then it’s important to remember not to touch them, as they will lose their magic and no longer be able to fly back to the North Pole that night.
If you have already completed your Elf’s mission and the Elf is just relaxing on the shelf for the last day before Santa arrives, then of course you can touch him or her. It may also be a good idea to give your Elf a pat on the back for a job well done!.
Are you supposed to hide The Elf on the Shelf?
No, you are not supposed to hide or move The Elf on the Shelf. The Elf on the Shelf is a Christmas tradition where an elf named Elfie magically comes down from the North Pole to your home to watch your family and report back to Santa on who has been naughty or nice.
The Elf on the Shelf isn’t meant to be hidden or moved. As you and your family play with, read, and talk to your elf, Elfie will bring special holiday cheer to your home. The Elf on the Shelf is meant to be a friendly reminder that the spirit of Christmas is alive in your home.
When Elfie arrives each year, it is time to start getting into the Christmas spirit.
Do parents move The Elf on the Shelf at night?
Yes, parents are responsible for moving The Elf on the Shelf every night. The night-time ritual is part of fun and excitement of the Elf on the Shelf tradition. The Elf on the Shelf is a special scout elf sent from the North Pole to help Santa Claus manage his naughty and nice list.
During the day, the elf observes your household’s activities and reports back to the North Pole at night. The parents move the elf to a new spot in the home each night. When the elf returns from reporting to Santa, parents will have to find creative places to “hide” the elf or even come up with a clever story for why the elf moved.
The Elf on the Shelf is meant to bring joy and excitement to kids as they look forward to seeing where their elf will be when they wake up in the morning.
Do you leave Elf on the Shelf all day?
No, typically Elf on the Shelf is supposed to only be out at night. This is in keeping with the tradition of the elf being a scout who reports back to Santa. The story of the Elf on the Shelf is centered around the elf watching the children during the day to report on if they have been naughty or nice, and then returning to the North Pole each night to give his report to Santa.
So usually, parents will take their Elf on the Shelf and put him back up each night. If you have small children, it can be a fun nightly ritual, and kids love the surprise of seeing where the elf has returned each night.
However, some parents do choose to leave their elf out all day as it can make it easier for them to move the elf each evening. It is really up to each family to decide what works best for them.
Does the elf stay in the same spot all day?
No, elves are usually quite active throughout the day. They usually spend their time doing a variety of tasks, from helping out in the kitchen to tending to the animals or doing some of the manual labor around the farm.
Elves are also known to take part in activities such as storytelling, dancing, and song. In addition, elves are also known for their creative skills. They often come up with creative solutions for problems or inventions that can help with the day-to-day activities of those living or working on the farm.
All in all, the elf may stay in the same spot throughout the day, but they are most likely to be quite busy with various projects and activities during the day.
Does Elf on the Shelf stay for Christmas Day?
Yes, Elf on the Shelf stays for Christmas Day! The Elf on the Shelf tradition is that a special scout elf visits families during the holiday season. He or she arrives at households the day after Thanksgiving and keeps a watchful eye over the family in the weeks leading up to Christmas.
During this time, the scout elf observes the children’s behavior in order to make reports to Santa.
On Christmas Eve, the elf will fly back to the North Pole to share their lengthy report of the family’s behavior with Santa. After the elf returns from the North Pole on Christmas Day, it’s time for him or her to find a new hiding place in the house until he or she bids farewell afterward.
Some families opt to keep their elf around for even longer, while others prefer to put them back in the box and store them away until the following Christmas season.
How should elf on a shelf arrive?
Elf on the Shelf is a fun tradition that is beloved by children around the world. As with any worthwhile tradition, there are some guidelines when it comes to how your elf should arrive.
First of all, the arrival of your elf will depend upon when you choose to begin the Elf on the Shelf tradition in your household. Some parents bring their elf out the day after Thanksgiving, while others wait until December 1.
Regardless of the exact date, it’s important to make sure your elf arrives in a special way that will really make your children get excited about the holiday season.
One of the most popular ways to make your elf’s arrival memorable is to create an epic scavenger hunt. Gather some of your children’s favorite items along with a few little surprises, hide them around the house, and leave clues pointing to their location.
A photo of your elf at each location leading to the last one, where your elf will be waiting, adds an extra element of fun.
You could also come up with different scenarios for how your elf arrived from the North Pole. Maybe it stowed away in a suitcase, or was hidden in a stocking, or even magicked its way to your home. Whatever you decide, be creative and make sure the arrival has the element of surprise.
Another option is to create a personalized letter from Santa introducing the elf to your children. This letter should explain why Santa chose that particular elf to join your family and should include rules about where the elf is and is not allowed to go during his stay.
No matter what you do, make sure your elf’s debut is one that your children will always remember. Such an entrance is sure to kick off a magical holiday season!
Should a 12 year old believe in Santa?
It depends on the individual 12 year old and their family’s beliefs. If their family celebrates Christmas and the magical feeling that comes with believing in Santa, then the child should be encouraged to believe in the joy that comes with it.
However, if the child has begun to ask questions and express doubts, then it is ultimately up to the parents to figure out the best approach to take. For example, some families might talk openly and honestly with their child about the truth of Santa, while others might discuss the myth of Santa being a symbol of the spirit of giving and the importance of the season.
Ultimately, it is up to the individual family to decide how they want to approach the subject, as there is no one universal “right” answer.
Should I tell my 14 year old about Santa?
It ultimately depends on your values and beliefs as a family. Santa Claus is a beloved figure around the world and it could be a great opportunity to create a sense of magical wonder and family traditions that can be shared and passed down from generation to generation.
On the other hand, some parents feel that it is important to teach their children that magic does not translate into reality and to be honest about the reality of Santa.
It is important to consider the impact that telling your 14 year old about Santa might have on other children in the family or in their age group that still believe in him. You might consider sitting down with your child and discussing your feelings and beliefs about Santa before making a decision.
Having an open dialogue with your child is important, as this is a decision that will affect them directly and could shape their beliefs moving forward. Ultimately the decision is yours and yours alone, but more often than not it is best to put trust in your parental instincts and seek advice from family and close friends that have gone through the same experience.
Is elf appropriate for 7 year olds?
It really depends on the individual child, their maturity level, and the content of the specific elf movie. Many 7 year olds would find an elf movie entertaining and fun. However, there may be some more mature aspects to certain elf movies such as language and situations, so it’s important to do research and watch the movie before showing it to your child.
There are even some elf movies made specifically for younger children, such as Elf on the Shelf, that is suitable for all ages. Ultimately it’s up to the discretion of the parent to determine whether or not an elf movie is appropriate for a 7 year old.
What is the average age a child stops believing in Santa?
The average age at which children stop believing in Santa Claus is estimated to be around 8 years old. This can vary from child to child depending on their maturity level, metaphysical development, and cultural beliefs.
Additionally, factors such as whether a child receives support from the community in believing in Santa or the amount of media attention and overall presence of Santa in popular culture can have an impact on when a child stops believing.
As such, the exact age is impossible to define for every child.
On average, however, the age at which children stop believing in Santa Claus tends to be around 8 years old. This is likely because this is the age at which most children start to understand the concept of reality, and begin to recognize that something happening year after year in the same way might be more of a tradition than reality.
Additionally, this age is also when children start to form their own opinions, and so some children may be more likely to make this realization on their own without being told.
Ultimately, there is no single answer as to the average age a child stops believing in Santa. Every child is different and will likely believe or disbelieve in their own way, at their own time.
Is it too late for Elf on the Shelf?
No, it is not too late for Elf on the Shelf! The Elf on the Shelf is a Christmas tradition which involves the magical scout elf which visits families, keeps an eye on children and reports to Santa every night.
The elf is said to come to life every night and keep an eye on the family to report back to Santa, and families move the elf to a different spot each morning as a little surprise for the kids. Depending on when you decide to introduce the concept of the Elf on the Shelf, the holiday season is filled with plenty of time for the elf to make its presence known.
You can purchase an Elf on the Shelf from stores such as Amazon, Walmart, and Target, or you could even make your own. No matter when you introduce the elf, it will become an important part of your holiday tradition, making it never too late to bring the fun and excitement of the Elf on the Shelf into your home.
