what is the story about the elf on a shelf

The elf on the shelf is a popular Christmas tradition that originated in the United States. It's a small elf doll that comes to life at night to watch over children and report their behavior back to Santa Claus. The story goes that if a child misbehaves, the elf will report it to Santa, and they'll receive less presents or coal in their stocking. The elf is placed on a shelf during the day, and at night, it comes to life to observe the children's behavior. It's a fun and playful way to encourage good behavior during the holiday season.