As one parent wrote on Instagram: 'And just like that the dreaded Elf on the shelf is back.

It is, however, quite the commitment and can sometimes take a lot of preparation and creativity. It's a firm favourite in many households as the nearly month-long event sees kids race around the house looking for their Scout Elf each morning. This activity sees parents, grandparents, family members and guardians wake up extra early every morning (or at night after the kids have gone to bed) to place the Elf in a different area or room of the house, usually up to some sort of mischief. Each morning, the Scout Elf returns to its family and perches in a new spot, waiting for someone to spot them. In the run up to Christmas, the magical Scout Elves help Santa manage his naughty and nice lists by taking note of a family's Christmas adventures and reports back to Santa at the North Pole each night. What is Elf on the Shelf?īeginning as a US children's book in 2005 by Carol Aebersold and her daughter Chanda Bell, the Elf on the Shelf phenomenon has gained popularity in the UK and across the world.

Looking for some easy Elf on the Shelf ideas that you can replicate in your own home for Christmas 2023? We've been compiling some funny, fuss-free (and sometimes naughty but always family-friendly) Elf on the Shelf ideas in the lead up to Christmas Day. Elf on the Shelf is a Christmas tradition that involves toy elves being placed around the home during December to keep an eye on whether kids are being naughty or nice.

Naughty elf on shelf ideas