The Elf on the Shelf tradition originated in Norway and was first introduced to the United States in the early 2000s. The Elf on the Shelf is a small, soft toy that children can interact with during the holiday season. The Elf is a curious little elf that reports back to Santa Claus every night, telling him about all of the good and bad things that happened during the day. The Elf can be found in a variety of places, including on shelves, bookshelves, and windowsills.