What is it? The Elf on the Shelf® is a Christmas tradition centered around Scout Elves who fly to the North Pole each night. Scout Elves arrive at homes in a keepsake box set that features a storybook. The book explains that elves love to report to Santa to tell him about each day's activities!

These magical elves help Santa manage his nice list by taking note of a family's Christmas adventures and reporting back to Santa at the North Pole nightly. Each morning, the Scout Elf helper returns to its family and perches in a new spot, waiting for someone to spot them.

Elf usually arrives on December 1st, sent on a special mission from the North Pole and instructed by Santa Claus to keep an eye on behaviour in the lead up to Christmas. Your Elf toy comes with a complete Christmas Elf Magical Reward Kit box to help you create fun and magic, while making sure your little ones believe.

When does Elf on the Shelf come? The Elf on the Shelf website recommends your Elf arrive between November 24 through December 1. This is also known as Scout Elf Return week, a.k.a. the time when Santa's little helpers flee the North Pole and head out to the houses they'll be staying at until Christmas.

Like many other holiday traditions, a mixture of cultures brought about the holiday tradition of elves. They began in the traditions of multiple cultures such as old English and Scandinavian mythology. One of the dark races of the Norse mythology, the elves were seen as mysterious creatures apart from humanity.

Traditionally, there is no link between elves and Christmas. This is because elves were thought to only be active between May Day and Halloween, and not in winter months. The link with Christmas is a modern American one, made as part of the expanding role of Santa Claus as a Christmas figure.

“We created The Elf on the Shelf tradition to help families have fun during the holidays by sparking moments of joy,” Bell tells TODAY.com. Of course, one of the biggest joys of the Elf on the Shelf tradition is finding where the Scout Elf has landed after a trip back from the North Pole.

According to elf legend, the elf moves each night. Some mornings, though, kids might find themselves asking why the elf is still in its same place. Here are a few possible reasons that Santa's helper may not have found a new position in your home. 1.

Elf isn't scheduled for any terrestrial TV showings in 2022, unfortunately as the film will exclusively air on Sky. The classic comedy is showing on Sky Cinema Christmas on Saturday 26th November at 8pm.

“The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear.”

Elves are renowned for their grace and mastery of magic and weapons such as the bow and sword. Becoming physically mature by the age of 25 and emotionally mature at around 125, they are also long-lived, capable of living more than half a millennium and remaining physically youthful.

Candy, pies and cakes galore, Scout Elves love eating sweets, snacks and more! You can often find the Scout Elves visiting Mrs. Claus' Sweet Shop™ to whip up delicious desserts exclusively available at the North Pole, but did you know sweet treats are only one of many foods the elves munch on?