what's elf on shelf

Elf on a Shelf is a fun holiday tradition that originated in the United States. The concept is that a small elf figurine, which is often dressed in a red and white suit, is placed on a shelf or in another visible location in a home. The idea is that the elf is a magical helper who watches over children's behavior during the holiday season. Each night, the elf flies back to the North Pole to report back to Santa about the children's behavior and whether they have been naughty or nice.