when did elf on the shelf originate

Elf on the Shelf is a popular holiday tradition that originated in 2005. The concept was created by a mother-daughter duo, Carol Aebersold and Chanda Bell, who wanted to start a new family tradition. They came up with the idea of a magical elf who watches over children and reports back to Santa Claus on their behavior. The original book, "Elf on the Shelf: A Christmas Tradition," was published in 2005, and the idea quickly caught on, spawning a series of books, toys, and other merchandise.