when was the elf on the shelf invented

The Elf on the Shelf is a popular Christmas tradition that originated in the United States in 2005. The toy company, CCA&B LLC, came up with the idea of the elf to encourage children to behave during the holiday season. The toy was named after the traditional "elf" character, which is said to be Santa's helper who watches over children and reports back to Santa. The first Elf on the Shelf product was launched in 2005 and has since become a popular holiday tradition for families worldwide.