when does the elf on shelf come

The Elf on the Shelf tradition is an exciting part of the holidays, and it starts on December 1st! The elf comes to your home and is set up on a shelf, where it will secretly observe your child's behavior throughout the day and report back to Santa each night. Every morning, the elf will be in a different place in the house to surprise the child. It's a fun way for kids to stay on their best behavior, knowing their elf is watching!