what is elf on the shelf mean

The Elf on the Shelf is a popular Christmas tradition where an elf is placed in a family's home to watch over the children and report back to Santa Claus about their behavior. The elf is meant to be a fun and playful way to encourage good behavior in children during the holiday season. It's a way to build excitement and anticipation for the arrival of Santa Claus on Christmas Eve. The elf's job is to watch over the children, move around the house each night, and report back to Santa about their behavior.