what is the story about the elf on the shelf

The story of the elf on the shelf is a popular holiday tradition. It starts with a special elf doll that a child receives as a Christmas gift. The elf doll is magical and comes to life when no one is watching. It can fly around and do all sorts of mischief, like hiding toys or messing with the Christmas decorations. But when the child wakes up in the morning, the elf is always back in its place. The elf is a symbol of Christmas spirit and helps to spread joy and magic to children during the holiday season.