Elf on the Shelf is a Christmas tradition for children of all ages, in which an elf is sent from the North Pole to watch over the children, aiding Santa in the creation of the naughty and nice lists.

When a family gets their elf, they give it a name and the elf receives special magic to fly to the North Pole and update Santa about the day. The elf returns everyday in a new spot.

Six year old Sophia Stevens has an Elf on the Shelf at her house. It was summertime and she was looking through a drawer in her kitchen for something to write with when she spotted the elf. “What is my elf doing here over summer break?” she asked her mom. “It’s not even Christmas time and he’s supposed to be at the North Pole with Santa!” Her belief of the elf was so close to being ruined forever, but her mom quickly responded with “Oh, he must be staying to watch you all year round to make sure your’e behaving.” Sophia is nine years old now and still believes in her Elf on the Shelf.

Sophomore Tasha Wilson has had an Elf on the Shelf since last year. She said, “One time he was laying on the kitchen table with army men around him, tied up with tape. Another one of my favorites was when my elf was sitting on the toilet with a handmade fishing pole, fishing for gold fish crackers in the toilet.” Tasha loves waking up and seeing all the places her elf moves every morning, even though she doesn’t actually believe in it anymore.

Junior Emma Demosthenes’ two siblings have an Elf on the Shelf named Nick. “Last year we woke up and the elf was sitting on the toilet and it peed green, it was so hilarious.” Emma said. Her brother, Issac believed in the elf until he saw his mom moving it one day.

Although the Elf on the Shelf is a new tradition, it will be carried on for many years to come.