Scout Elves' activities have been heavily documented online. Here are few ways to see what they have been up to: 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. The Elf on the Shelf tradition can be started at any age, but most parents recommend waiting until your child is between the ages of 2 and 3. They claim it’s the perfect sweet spot for children to appreciate and understand the elves’ magic while establishing this family tradition at a young age. 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.

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. Not sure what all fuss is about? Here's everything to know about the Christmas tradition. Who invented Elf on the Shelf? 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:

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Scout Elves can't talk but are great listeners: children can share secrets and wishes with their Elf as often as they'd like. Families with older children can also join in on the fun by helping the parents set up the elves each night for their younger siblings or parents can tailor the elves’ shenanigans to their age level. No matter the age, there’s always magic to be found with Elf on the Shelf. When Does Elf on the Shelf Come? 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.”

In some cases, they could also disappear when touched, such as when a dog might get a hold of them. 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! The book and box set launched in 2005. The tradition has gained in popularity over the years, likely because the Scout Elves' shenanigans have been well-documented on social media. Parents and kids love to show off all the wild ways elves return to their homes each morning. 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. 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!

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Now Elf on the Shelf has grown. There are additional books, movies, merchandise and more to support the growing phenomenon. 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 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.”