If you’re a parent, you know the tradition of the Elf on the Shelf. If you’re not, let me enlighten you – the Elf on the Shelf is a scout elf that can be placed anywhere in your house to keep an eye on your children during the holiday season. The elf reports to Santa every night and then returns to a different location in your house the next day. It’s a fun way to get into the holiday spirit and keep your kiddos in line. But when exactly does the Elf on the Shelf come back? Let’s dig in.
Elf on the Shelf Tradition
The Elf on the Shelf is a relatively new holiday tradition, but it’s quickly become a staple in many households. The concept was first introduced in a children’s book in 2005 by Carol Aebersold and Chanda Bell. The book tells the story of how Santa sends a “scout elf” to each home to watch over the children and report back to him every night. The idea being that the elf keeps an eye on the children and makes sure they’re on their best behavior, so they’ll receive gifts from Santa on Christmas Day.
Elf on the Shelf Purpose
The purpose of the Elf on the Shelf is to create a little bit of magic and excitement for the holiday season. The elf is meant to keep children on their best behavior so they can receive presents from Santa on Christmas Day. It’s a way to add a little bit of joy and wonder to the holiday season while also encouraging good behavior.
How Do You Get Your Elf on the Shelf to Come Back?
You can get your Elf on the Shelf to come back by simply placing it in a new location every night. The magic of the Elf on the Shelf is that children wake up every morning to find the elf in a new spot. It’s important to make the elf’s location fun and creative to keep the excitement level high. Some ideas include having the elf make a snow angel in flour or sitting on a shelf reading a book.
How Do You Know When Your Elf on the Shelf Comes Back?
The Elf on the Shelf typically comes back around Thanksgiving. Many families choose to introduce the elf on Black Friday, which is the day after Thanksgiving. From there, the elf returns every night until Christmas Eve, when it returns to the North Pole with Santa for the rest of the year. You’ll know the elf has come back because it will be in a new location every morning.
Does Elf on the Shelf Come Back on December 1?
While there’s no specific date that the Elf on the Shelf comes back, many families do choose to introduce the elf on December 1st. This is a popular date because it gives children an entire month to enjoy the tradition before the elf returns to the North Pole with Santa. However, you can introduce the elf whenever you like – there’s no wrong way to do it!
Does Elf on the Shelf Leave 23rd or 24th?
The Elf on the Shelf tradition dictates that the elf leaves on Christmas Eve to return to the North Pole with Santa. So, technically, the elf would leave on the 24th. However, many families choose to have the elf say goodbye on the 23rd to give children one last night of magic before Christmas morning. It’s completely up to you and your family how you want to handle the elf’s departure.
References:
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Aebersold, C. and Bell, C. (2005). The Elf on the Shelf: A Christmas Tradition. CCA and B, LLC.