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The Elf on the Shelf® Tradition

is a special Scout Elf sent from the North Pole to help Santa Claus manage his naughty and nice lists. When a family adopts a scout elf and gives it a name, the Scout Elf receives its Christmas magic and can fly to the North Pole each night to tell Santa Claus about all of the day's adventures. Each morning, the Scout Elf returns to its family and perches in a different place to watch the fun. Children love to wake up and race around the house looking for their Scout Elf each morning.

There are two simple rules that every child knows when it comes to having a Scout Elf. First, a Scout Elf cannot be touched; Christmas magic is very fragile and if a Scout Elf is touched it may lose that magic and be unable to fly back to the North Pole. Second, a Scout Elf cannot speak or move while anyone in the house is awake! A Scout Elf's job is to watch and listen.

Scout Elves typically appear in their families’ homes at the beginning of the holiday season. On Christmas Eve, the Scout Elves return to the North Pole with Santa Claus—until next year!

Santa’s Store is the official Elf on the Shelf® online store where you can find all The Elf on the Shelf® products for your family Christmas tradition.