why does elf on the shelf do bad things

The Elf on the Shelf is an iconic Christmas tradition that encourages children to behave well and stay on Santa's "nice list". The Elf is a scout sent from the North Pole to watch over children during the holiday season. Its mischievous behavior, such as moving around the house or creating pranks, is a way to add some fun and humor to the holiday season. However, the ultimate goal is to encourage children to act well and build positive character traits, so the Elf's actions are never intended to be harmful or damaging.