who created elf on the shelf

Elf on the Shelf was created by Carol Aebersold and her daughters, Chanda Bell and Christa Pitts, in 2005. The idea for the book and doll came about when they were trying to find a way to get their children to behave during the Christmas season. They thought it would be a fun and engaging way to teach their children about the importance of good behavior and the spirit of Christmas. The first book, "The Elf on the Shelf: A Christmas Tradition," was published in 2005 and quickly became a bestseller.