when does the elf on a shelf appear

The "Elf on a Shelf" tradition starts on the day after Thanksgiving, when families across the United States set up their special elf to begin observing their children's behavior during the holiday season. The elf is usually placed in a high or secret spot in the home, where the kids can see it but cannot touch it. Each morning, the elf returns to a new location, and parents report that kids become more excited as they try to find the elf's new hiding spot. The "Elf on a Shelf" tradition continues until Christmas morning, when the elf leaves to report back to Santa Claus.