What are parents supposed to do with Elf on the Shelf?

Elf on the Shelf is a Christmas tradition that sees parents moving an Elf on the Shelf (also known as a "Scout Elf") around the house every day to keep an eye on children ahead of Santa's visit.

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What does a parent do with the Elf on the Shelf?

Each morning, the elf chooses a new vantage point from which to keep an eye on the kids. The night before Christmas, the elf flies off one last time to spend the year with Santa until reappearing next season. Every night, a parent hides the elf in a new place.

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Are parents supposed to move elf on the shelves?

Santa advises that no family member touch their Elf on the Shelf, but he does describe a few rare instances when an adult may use tongs or potholders to help an elf in an urgent situation. Parents: read on to learn about special, few and far between cases where emergency help will be required.

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What are the 3 rules of elf on a shelf?

Official Elf on the Shelf Rules
  • Never touch Elf on the Shelf. Elves lose their magic when touched by humans. ...
  • Talk to your Elf. Your Scout Elf can't talk, but they are always listening! ...
  • Elf on the Shelf must return to the North Pole on Christmas Eve.

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What do parents need to know about Elf on the Shelf?

There are just a few rules to remember! The most important—don't touch your Scout Elf, or they will lose their magic! Scout Elves can't talk, but they are great listeners. Little ones can share secrets and wishes with their elf as often as they'd like.

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Are Elf on the shelf real or do parents move them?

39 related questions found

What are the official rules to elf on a shelf?

What are the Rules for Elf on the Shelf?
  • The Kids can not touch the elf. ...
  • The elf does not move nor speak when the kids are awake.
  • The Elf Reports back to Santa at night when they fly back to the north pole to let Santa know how the kids were that day. ...
  • Be Kind.

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When should parents put out the Elf on the Shelf?

When does Elf on the Shelf come? The Elf on the Shelf website recommends your Elf arrive between November 24 through December 1. This is also known as Scout Elf Return week, a.k.a. the time when Santa's little helpers flee the North Pole and head out to the houses they'll be staying at until Christmas.

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What is elf #1 rule?

As the first rule in the Code of the Elves demands, he treats everyday like Christmas. No day is ordinary. Everyday is meant for magic, wonder, excitement, and joy.

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How do you activate Elf on the Shelf?

A Scout Elf's heart is full of Christmas magic, and once your family names your Scout Elf, it activates the Christmas magic in your elf's heart, allowing them to fly, report to Santa and keep a watchful eye each Christmas.

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How should Elf on the Shelf leave?

According to The Elf on the Shelf: A Christmas Tradition, the night before Christmas, an elf's job comes to an end. On December 24, most Scout Elves say farewell to their families and fly back to the North Pole following Santa's sleigh. This way, they can help him begin preparing for the year ahead.

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How do you tell your child there is no Elf on the Shelf?

Say something like "I don't know... I didn't know if the elf could really move spots so I sometimes move it. Maybe I shouldn't have, after all, it's part of the magic of Christmas!" Then ask your child if he/she thinks it's a good idea for parents to move it or does he/she think you should leave it alone.

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Is 9 to old for Elf on the Shelf?

The Elf on the Shelf tradition can be started at any age, but most parents recommend waiting until your child is between the ages of 2 and 3. They claim it's the perfect sweet spot for children to appreciate and understand the elves' magic while establishing this family tradition at a young age.

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Is each kid supposed to have an Elf on the Shelf?

Do I need one Elf per child or one per household? The choice is yours. We have included two Nice List Certificates and two Letters to Santa in each kit, as these items are personal. All the other items can be shared as a family.

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Why these moms refuse to do Elf on the Shelf?

Traci Williams, a board-certified child and family psychologist, says she's concerned that when elves are used to control a child's behavior, parents engage in empty threats. They often tell their children that if the elf doesn't deliver a good report Santa won't bring them gifts, which never happens.

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What happens to elf when kids are bad?

Not so fast. The crux of this toy is that the elf is not-so-secretly spying on your kids on a daily basis to report their behavior to Santa Claus. If your child is bad or doesn't follow rules, the obvious risk is that their Christmas presents will be sacrificed, and they will instead receive that dreaded lump of coal.

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What do Elf on the Shelf do at night?

What is Elf on a Shelf? Started by mother-daughter duo Carol Aebersold and Chanda Bell, the Elf on the Shelf rules are simple: The Scout Elf watches over your family during the day, and then checks in with Santa each night to reveal who is being naughty and who is being nice.

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What do you do when you get a new Elf on the Shelf?

After you pick a boy or girl elf, Santa will send your new helper straight to your home. Put it in a wish list. Never underestimate the power of a good old-fashioned Christmas wish list when it comes to asking Santa for a Scout Elf®.

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Do you do Elf on the Shelf every night?

As the days inch nearer to Christmas, families across the country are taking part in "Elf on the Shelf" festivities, where a small elf figurine is placed around the home every day to watch if children have been naughty or nice. According to elf legend, the elf moves each night.

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What are the 4 C's in elf?

Description. The perfect Christmas card for Elf movie fans. Featuring Buddy the Elf's quote: "We elves try to stick to the four main food groups: candy, candy canes, candy corns and syrup."

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What age restriction is elf?

We think Elf is one of the more family-friendly Christmas movies out there. It should be something kids ages 6 and up can handle in most cases. There are a few issues as noted above, but if these do not concern your family: enjoy Elf together this holiday season!

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How does the elf say goodbye?

It could simply say "goodbye" or "farewell." A trendy elf might opt for "elf out" or "laters."

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Do parents put presents under the tree?

A lot of people prefer placing Christmas presents under the tree on Christmas Eve. Many children believe in Father Christmas, which is why some parents choose to put the gifts under the tree on Christmas Eve to pass them on as Father Christmas' presents.

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Why is my elf not moving?

Elves need to wait until everyone is asleep before they can move around. If there was too much activity around the house last night, perhaps your elf only had time to get to the North Pole and back, but not enough time to find a new position. Make sure you get to bed early tonight to help them out!

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What to do with elf on Christmas Eve?

Have your elf leave behind a new Christmas book before he jets off to the North Pole, and your kids and you can read it together before bed. Leave a sweet message inside the front cover, and each year your kids will have a new literary treasure to add to their Christmas collection.

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