what is elf on the shelf about

The Elf on the Shelf is a beloved holiday tradition that began in 2005. The premise of the story is that Santa sends an elf, who is magically granted the ability to fly and communicate with him, to watch over children to ensure they are behaving well. The elf sits on a shelf, hidden from view, during the day and then reports back to Santa at night. Children can talk to their elf and ask it questions, and the elf can even move around the house, causing mischief and fun for the family.