who created elf on a shelf

Elf on a Shelf was created by Carol Aebersold and her daughter Chanda Bell. In 2005, Aebersold wrote a story for her grandchildren about an elf who would watch over them and report their behavior back to Santa. The story was then turned into a children's book, and the Elf on the Shelf phenomenon was born. Today, the Elf on the Shelf is a beloved tradition in many families, with the elf returning every year to bring joy and magic to the holiday season.