what's the story behind elf on the shelf

The story behind Elf on the Shelf is a sweet one! It's about a mischievous elf named Buddy who goes to live with a family during the Christmas season. Buddy's job is to help keep an eye on the children and make sure they're behaving. Every day, Buddy appears in a new spot in the house, keeping track of the children's actions. If they've been good, Buddy will report it to Santa and they might find a treat or a surprise on Christmas morning. If they've been naughty, Buddy will warn them and let Santa know.