is the elf on the shelf real

No, the Elf on the Shelf is a fictional character. It is a marketing tool created by a company to sell holiday-themed products. The idea is that parents place an "Elf on the Shelf" figurine in their home, and it magically moves around the house each night watching over the children and reporting their behavior to Santa Claus. However, there is no evidence to support the existence of such an elf.