how long has elf on the shelf been around

Elf on the shelf has been a Christmas tradition since 2005 when a book by the same name was published. The story follows a mischievous elf who comes to life each night to report back to Santa Claus on whether children have been good or bad. It has become a popular tradition for families to adopt their own elf on the shelf, which comes with its own set of rules and traditions. The elf is usually placed somewhere in the house and is said to move around when children are asleep, to keep an eye on them.