elf on shelf
Santa's seasonal scout
Elf on the Shelf is a Christmas tradition where a small elf doll "watches" children's behavior and reports back to Santa each night.
Parents move the elf to different locations daily, creating the illusion it's alive.
The concept, from a 2005 children's book, has become both beloved holiday ritual and target of parental exhaustion jokes: I forgot to move the damn elf again.
- ChristmasWinter nativity celebration
- holiday traditionRecurring seasonal observance
- holidayDay of rest
- traditionCustom passed through generations
- SantaMythical Christmas gift-bringer
Santa's helper · spy · mischief · hiding · hiding places · December · children · magic · scout · toy · doll · North Pole · naughty list · naughty · nice · watching · report · mantle
elf on shelffamily heirloom
Cherished inherited possession
grandfather clock · family portrait · built-in shelving · fireplace mantel · bookshelf
elf, shelf, elves, elfish, elvish, elfin, shelves, shelve, shelved