what is the tradition of elf on shelf

The tradition of Elf on the Shelf is a fun and magical way to celebrate the Christmas season. The idea is that a mischievous elf named Scout Elf is sent by Santa Claus to keep an eye on children and report back to him about their behavior. Each night, the Scout Elf will return to the North Pole and report to Santa, then fly back to the family home to watch over the children again.