when does elf on the shelf start

Elf on the Shelf is a Christmas tradition in which a small elf-like figure is hidden in a different location in a home each day leading up to Christmas. This tradition started in the United States in the 1970s, and it is believed that the elf reports to Santa each night on the behavior of the children in the household, helping to ensure that they are on Santa's "nice" list. Elf on the Shelf is typically a family activity, with parents and children working together to hide the elf in different spots each day.