The Elf on the Shelf is a holiday tradition that has been around since 2005. The tradition involves a magical elf that is sent from the North Pole to each home to keep children on their best behavior leading up to Christmas.
It is believed that the elf visits children at night to report back to Santa on their behavior during the day. The elf brings fun and excitement to the holiday season as it moves around each night causing mischief and joy among the family.
On Christmas morning the Elf on the Shelf returns to the North Pole with Santa to help him on his special night. The Elf does not bring any physical gifts to the children, but instead brings a sense of joy and anticipation as he watches over the family during the holiday season.
What are parents supposed to do with Elf on the Shelf?
Elf on the Shelf is a popular Christmas tradition for families around the world. It involves a small elf that magically appears each night to watch over the children in the home, and “report back” to Santa each night with updates on the kids’ behavior.
Parents are supposed to move the Elf each night in a sneaky manner while the children are sleeping, so that when they wake up the Elf is in a different spot and the children can have fun trying to guess where the Elf will be each morning.
This is meant to excite and entertain the kids, as well as to get them thinking about being on their best behavior as Christmas approaches. Additionally, the Elf on the Shelf can be used by parents to guide conversations about the importance of being kind and good to others, being honest, and doing the right thing.
Parents can use the Elf to lead a dialogue with their children about why it’s important to do good deeds, and how those good deeds can lead to a reward from Santa on Christmas morning. Through this dialogue, parents can help to solidify the idea of good behavior in their children’s minds, and playing the Elf on the Shelf game can become a fun & meaningful part of the Christmas season for the whole family!.
Is the elf on the shelf a Christmas tradition?
Yes, the Elf on the Shelf is a Christmas tradition that has become increasingly popular in recent years. Originating in 2005, the concept consists of a naughty elf figure that has been sent from the North Pole to observe and report children’s behavior back to Santa.
The elf is “magically” sent to families starting at Thanksgiving or the beginning of December, and is typically moved throughout the home each night to discover what children have been up to during the day.
Typically, parents hide the elf so that each morning, it appears in a different spot of the house. The Elf on the Shelf has quickly become viewed as a fun and exciting Christmas experience for all members of the family.
What age should you start Elf on a shelf?
The age to start Elf on a Shelf traditionally starts at around 4 or 5 years old. Of course, you can decide to start it with your family at any age that makes the most sense for you. In some households, families start Elf on a Shelf when their children are as young as 18-months-old.
Although there are photos and stories targeting younger audiences, some parents might find it difficult to explain the Elf’s concept to their toddlers; it’s best to use your own judgment and intuition when deciding on the appropriate age.
If you choose to start Elf on a Shelf with a 4 or 5-year-old, the spirit of the experience should be family-focused. You can remind your child to be on the lookout for their special visitor each night, and join in the fun of discovering where the Elf has visited throughout the day.
Talking about what kind of mischief the Elf has been up to will become part of your family’s holiday tradition and help create memories that will last a lifetime.
How do you introduce the elf on the shelf for the first time?
Introducing the Elf on the Shelf to your children for the first time is an exciting way to add some magical whimsy to the holiday season! Before you unveil your elf, take the time to read The Elf on the Shelf: A Christmas Tradition book and familiarize yourself with the story.
The story explains that Elves are magical scouts sent from the North Pole who report back to Santa on who’s being naughty and nice!.
Once you’ve got the story down, share it with your kids. Start by explaining that an Elf Scout has come to visit just for the holiday season and needs a name. If your child is feeling extra creative, you can even create a festive name together.
Move on to explain that the Elf Scout is here to share in your holiday fun and to help Santa keep track of who’s naughty or nice.
To reveal your Elf on the Shelf, you can use your own special ideas, such as putting some initial items in a basket to set the scene. Make sure you include the Scout Elf’s storybook, your Elf on the Shelf, some props, and activities.
Depending on your child, you can also have your elf make a special appearance out of a box or from a hiding spot. Once your Elf Scout is in full view, explain to your children that you will find them in a different spot in your home every morning.
Finally, to help set some ground rules for your Elf Scout, you can remind your children that touching the Scout Elf is not allowed. Once your children know the story and the rules, your Scout Elf can get up to all kinds of mischief!.
Is Elf appropriate for 7 year olds?
Elf is generally considered to be appropriate for 7 year olds, although as a parent it’s always best to watch the film yourself before deciding if it is suitable for your child. The 2003 Will Ferrell comedy follows the journey of Buddy, an elf who was raised in the North Pole and sets off on a search for his real family in the United States.
Despite being a comedy, there are some more mature moments and themes, such as real-life issues like single parenting, divorce, work/life balance, and addiction. The movie’s main message, however, is ultimately one of family and love.
Overall, the themes are well-handled and rarely return to harsh language or extreme violence. As long as you’re comfortable with your child seeing some mature themes, Elf is a fun and family-friendly movie that will likely entertain kids and adults alike.
What do you give an Elf?
Elves love receiving gifts that are creative, practical, and reflective of the things they appreciate in life. If the elf is an outdoorsy type, consider giving practical gifts such as a new set of gardening or camping tools, a warm insulated jacket or even a tent to camp in.
If the elf loves to craft, a gift basket filled with crafting supplies and tools would be a great choice. If the elf loves a good adventure, give them something like a family activity pass for camping or a zip lining adventure.
If the elf loves baking, try giving them a baking gift basket filled with tools and ingredients. If the elf is a bookworm, give them a collection of books from their favorite author or even a Kindle preloaded with books.
Lastly, if the elf loves music, give them a personalized record player with some of their favorite bands. Regardless of whatever you choose to give the elf, make sure it is something that is just for them and represents them in some way.
Do elves get presents?
Yes, elves get presents! They are magical creatures who love to find and give out presents. Elves have deep connections with their environment and understand the importance of giving and receiving gifts.
They consider it a form of reverence for the natural world and the magic it brings. Elves use their keen senses to find gifts that bring joy and happiness. Elves cherish the gifts they receive as much as they cherish the gifts they give.
Elves also spread the joy of giving by making sure every creature has something special to open and enjoy. Elves never forget the importance of a heartfelt gift and the impact it can have on someone’s day.
What colors do elves like?
Elves tend to prefer bright and vibrant colors, like greens, blues, purples, and reds, but they also like the natural colors of nature, like the many shades of brown and black, and grey. They also like bright whites, and sometimes metallics, sparkles, and glitter.
Elves love to use these colors to decorate their homes, as they bring an energy of joy and excitement to the space. Every elf has their own favorite colors, so it’s difficult to generalize the colors that all elves like, but those listed above tend to come up most often.
What kind of shoes do elves wear?
Elves typically wear light and comfortable shoes. They prefer shoes with soft leather soles that are lightweight and allow for the elf to move easily and silently. The shoes usually have an ornate, decorative look, with lacing or beading often adorning the outside of the shoes.
Many elven shoes are handmade, with elven artisans crafting them from natural materials such as tree bark, plant fiber, and animal fur. These handmade shoes are often designed with the elf’s tradition and culture in mind, expressing the natural elements that are celebrated in elven cultures.
In addition to the materials used, elven shoes may be adorned in magical symbols to give the elf extra protection or strength.
What do elf colors mean?
Elf colors can be a sign of a variety of things depending on the culture or world in which they inhabit. Many cultures such as Middle Earth, in Tolkien’s works, ascribe different meanings to different elf colors.
In Middle Earth, elves are typically divided into three separate categories based on skin and hair color.
The first type of elves are the fair-skinned and long-haired elves – the Elves of the Light, or Eldar. These elves are known for their beauty and intelligence and are often associated with wisdom and grace.
The second type of elves are the dark-skinned and curly-haired wood elves, or Noldor. These elves are typically associated with strength and skill at arms and a strong connection to nature. Finally, there are the dark-skinned and long-haired sea elves, or Uiali.
These elves are known for their deep connection to the oceans and a knack for seamanship.
The colors associated with elves often reflect their nature – for example, light colors such as silver, white, and platinum often reflect a high level of intelligence and grace, while dark colors such as black, brown, and navy blue often reflect strength and connection to the natural world.
Different colors and shades can also represent different roles or classes, such as warriors and guardians, within elf societies. No matter the color, the enigmatic aura of elves and the profound commitment they show to the defense of their worlds has made them some of the most beloved characters in fantasy literature.
Can a half elf be blue?
Yes, a half elf can indeed be blue. This is due to the unique attributes of elves and the variety of physical characteristics they can possess. A half elf has one parent who is a full-blooded elf and another who is a human, so they can inherit certain physical traits like skin, hair, and eye color from both sides.
While some half elves may have traditional human or elf colorings, they can also possess unique qualities such as having blue skin, hair or eyes. Depending on the parentage, a half elf might be born with blue skin, hair or eyes, or a combination of all three.
Where does The Elf on the Shelf go on Christmas Eve?
The Elf on the Shelf reportedly goes back to the North Pole on Christmas Eve to tell Santa Claus whether all of the children on the “nice” list have been good. On his journey, the Elf is said to fly with Santa’s reindeer and help them prepare for the big night of delivering presents.
It is believed that the Elf returns to the family’s home on Christmas morning with a special holiday message from Santa.
