when did elf on a shelf start

The Elf on the Shelf tradition began in 2005, when a toy company named CCA & B introduced a plush elf doll designed to sit on a shelf and report to Santa Claus whether children were behaving well. The doll quickly became popular and was sold in stores, eventually evolving into a full-fledged toy and book franchise. Now, the tradition has become a yearly holiday staple for families worldwide, with children eagerly anticipating their elf's arrival in the days leading up to Christmas.