what's elf on the shelf mean

Elf on the Shelf is a holiday tradition where a Christmas elf is placed in a home to keep an eye on the children and report back to Santa on their behavior throughout the year. The elf is supposed to watch the children, and at night they fly back to the North Pole to report their findings to Santa. Each morning, the elf appears in a new spot in the home, surprising the children and reminding them to be on their best behavior. Elf on the Shelf is a fun and magical way to get the whole family involved in the Christmas spirit.