when was elf on a shelf invented

The Elf on the Shelf toy was invented by Carol Aebersold and her daughter Chanda Bell in 2005. They were inspired by a tradition they had growing up, where they believed an elf would visit their house during Christmas and report back to Santa if the kids were naughty or nice. They decided to create a book that told the story of the elf's journey, and the toy became an instant hit. The concept quickly grew in popularity, and today, the Elf on the Shelf has become a staple of the Christmas season, with millions of elves being sold each year.