Is That an Elf on Your Shelf?
We are full to the brim with Christmas spirit around these parts. As anyone with a preschooler can attest, Christmas rocks. Having an excitable child in your midst makes the holiday season truly wondrous. There are so many traditions to pass on from our own childhoods and more to start fresh with our children.
One tradition that I was excited to start this year was Elf on the Shelf (caution: music loads automatically). I was excited when I decided I was going to do it, and now that the kids have experienced him I’m even more excited and thrilled that we’ll be able to use him every Christmas season to come and start a tradition that we hope our children will pass on to theirs one day.
Elf on the Shelf, founded by mom, entrepreneur, former teacher & writer Carol Aebersold, who teamed with her daughter Chanda Bell, also a former teacher, and award-winning illustrator Coë Steinwart to create The Elf on the Shelf in 2005. The tradition of the shelf elf began for her family when her own children were young.
She says, “Plagued by their desire to know how Santa really knew who had been naughty or nice, I searched through the Christmas decorations for a plausible explanation. Nestled among them was the answer; a small elf doll from my own childhood. With that discovery, the idea for the elf tradition was born.
At our home the elf would arrive around the holidays, usually at Thanksgiving. His sole responsibility was to watch my children’s behavior and report it to “Santa” each night. The next morning after the children awoke, they discovered the elf had returned from the “North Pole” and was hiding in a different place. My children would race each other out of bed to try and be the first to spy him in his new position.
Over the years the tradition was perfected and rules were even introduced. For example, to better preserve his mystique the children were not allowed to touch him; however, they were allowed to talk to him. For obvious reasons, he was not allowed to reply. Eventually, my children even gave him a name – officially adopting him into the family.
Unwittingly, the tradition provided an added benefit: it helped the children to better control themselves. All it took was a gentle reminder that the “elf was watching” for errant behavior to be modified.”
Seeing the look on my children’s faces when they first spotted the elf and their excitement as I read them the story was the best gift of the season thus far. Each morning as they wake and search for the elf the spirit of the season just keeps on giving. The gift of seeing that innocent wonder & bubbling excitement in a child is the best gift a parent can receive, and the Elf on the Shelf gives it to us every single day. Also a great gift? A little help with the crazy behaviour that comes with December. Just a little added bonus.
Elf on the Shelf sells for $30 US and is available for purchase from their gift shop (shipping to US & Canada) or by phone @ 877-919-4105 (for shipping worldwide or if you’d just rather not buy it online). I also spotted one in the card shop at my local mall for $40, but it was the last one and every other store I checked was sold out so online is the way to go if you’re as excited about getting this tradition started as I am. There’s an additional activity book available for $15.
Win it! We’ve got an Elf on the Shelf gift pack including the book & elf to give to one lucky reader. In order to allow the winner to use this for more than a few days, we’re going to make this contest a little shorter than usual.
To enter, leave a comment on this post before noon mst on Monday, December 15, 2008. The randomly selected winner will be contacted via email within the hour and the parcel shipped that afternoon so that it can be enjoyed to the fullest this season. Good luck! (and if you haven’t gotten an email by Monday at 1 pm mst, order one! Your family will love it!)
CONTEST CLOSED & WINNER EMAILED
December 11th, 2008 at 2:03 pm
how cute! i’ve never read it.
December 11th, 2008 at 3:24 pm
Wow! Such a cute idea. And a really great point… how DOES Santa keep track by himself?
December 11th, 2008 at 3:52 pm
What a fun idea! Just makes the holidays even more magical.
December 11th, 2008 at 6:00 pm
I have been wanting to start this tradition with my family…How fun!
sblilly14(@)yahoo(.)com
December 11th, 2008 at 6:19 pm
what a nifty giveaway!
December 11th, 2008 at 6:37 pm
What a neat idea!
chelle’s last blog post..Here and There
December 11th, 2008 at 6:49 pm
This would be such a fun tradition! Sign me up!
December 11th, 2008 at 6:52 pm
I love this idea and think our kids will love the story if we make it a tradition. Thanks for the entry!
December 11th, 2008 at 7:39 pm
that is super cute!! I would love one of these for my kids!
December 11th, 2008 at 9:17 pm
This is a great giveaway. Thanks for offering it.
December 11th, 2008 at 9:38 pm
What a great tradition!
December 11th, 2008 at 9:59 pm
So cute and such a fun tradition to start.
December 11th, 2008 at 11:02 pm
This looks SO fun-the start of a great family tradition, thanks!
December 11th, 2008 at 11:14 pm
cool! perfect xmas fun to enjoy with my boy!!
you da mom’s last blog post..Raining Babies
December 12th, 2008 at 6:56 am
I have never heard of Elf on the Shelf before. It sounds like a great new family tradition.
December 12th, 2008 at 7:10 am
wonderful gift!.please enter me.
December 12th, 2008 at 7:14 am
That is cute. My mom would love this.
December 12th, 2008 at 7:21 am
I’d love to win!
December 12th, 2008 at 8:03 am
I’ve just heard about this & it’s a GREAT idea! I’d love to win this to use every year! Thanks for the chance to win!
Merry Christmas!
December 12th, 2008 at 8:19 am
Sounds like a fun way to add to the magic of Christmas.
December 12th, 2008 at 9:13 am
this is a realy grate thing as a kid in my home the elfs where in the tree keeping a eye on us for santa so well i can realte to this realy well and i would realy love to try and win this for my little one i think she realy would in joy this thanks
jennifer bowen’s last blog post..O come E all fathfull let’s us injoy the events and stuff here on line 12-11-08
December 12th, 2008 at 9:14 am
what a clever idea. great gift!
December 12th, 2008 at 9:35 am
I would love to start this tradition! What a great idea and how cute!
December 12th, 2008 at 9:42 am
How cute! What a neat idea
December 12th, 2008 at 9:49 am
I would love to win this! I have been looking for an elf to start this tradition with my boys. Thanks for the chance!
December 12th, 2008 at 10:22 am
We had these elves in our stockings everyyear holding a small box of chocolate. I love this book/concept. It is so cute!
December 12th, 2008 at 10:30 am
How cute! would be very fun for my daughter!
December 12th, 2008 at 10:35 am
My kids would love this! It’s adorable!
December 12th, 2008 at 11:26 am
We could start a new tradition!
December 12th, 2008 at 12:00 pm
Great tradition.I am a subscriber
December 12th, 2008 at 12:20 pm
how cute
December 12th, 2008 at 12:22 pm
My little boy would really love this!
December 12th, 2008 at 12:25 pm
What a great idea!
December 12th, 2008 at 12:32 pm
I really like the idea of this elf! It’s something the whole family can get into together!
December 12th, 2008 at 12:50 pm
I have an elf in the shelf and he is adorable. I’d love to win this one and be able to gift it this season. Thanks for the chance!
Lindsey’s last blog post..Bonne Chance { Etsy Christmas }
December 12th, 2008 at 12:51 pm
Love it!
December 12th, 2008 at 1:11 pm
This would be great for my kids. Thanks.
December 12th, 2008 at 1:41 pm
I love this tradition. It would be fun to do with the kids.
December 12th, 2008 at 1:57 pm
this sounds great!!
Andrea’s last blog post..Uhhh…She’s Standing?!
December 12th, 2008 at 2:24 pm
Count me in please!
December 12th, 2008 at 2:44 pm
What a great gift this would make. Thanks for the giveaway!
December 12th, 2008 at 3:26 pm
Adorable! Thanks for the chance!
December 12th, 2008 at 3:47 pm
i love christmas
December 12th, 2008 at 3:50 pm
Please enter me. Thank you!
December 12th, 2008 at 4:44 pm
This is such a cute idea. it is a physical reminder for the children that Santa will come to their house only if they behave.
December 12th, 2008 at 5:20 pm
What a cute idea! I would love this!
December 12th, 2008 at 5:51 pm
Count me in please
)
December 12th, 2008 at 6:12 pm
This Elf on the Shelf is such a great idea! There’s a number of times in the past couple of weeks that I wish I had this Elf looking over the kids, to see if they were naughty or nice. I really love this idea. Thanks so much for this giveaway and Happy Holidays!
December 12th, 2008 at 6:44 pm
OH, how cute. I would really love to win this for my friends two little ones. They really are into books lately.
Thanks for a great giveaway.
December 12th, 2008 at 6:55 pm
Please enter me. I think this is a really cute idea!
December 12th, 2008 at 6:58 pm
I’d love this! I need all the creative ideas I can get!
December 12th, 2008 at 7:32 pm
Sounds like a lot of fun!
Thanks
December 12th, 2008 at 7:38 pm
too cute!
December 12th, 2008 at 7:48 pm
What a fun way to start a new family tradition.
December 12th, 2008 at 8:18 pm
I would love to give this to my daughter to start the tradition with her children
December 12th, 2008 at 8:18 pm
Just heard about this wonderful book and idea……………..would love to have this for our family………… super idea
December 12th, 2008 at 9:03 pm
this looks awesome i love to try get one and try it.
December 12th, 2008 at 9:15 pm
This would be a wonderful tradition for my daughter and family
December 12th, 2008 at 9:27 pm
My kids would love it!
December 13th, 2008 at 12:41 am
I’d love to win!
Stephen Saunders’s last blog post..Merry Christmas!
December 13th, 2008 at 12:49 am
I really love this concept
December 13th, 2008 at 1:35 am
What a neat story behind the Elf on the Shelf. Interesting how a little family tradition became a business.
December 13th, 2008 at 3:09 am
This is great for the little ones.
December 13th, 2008 at 3:34 am
Stalker Elf, he’s watching you.
December 13th, 2008 at 4:35 am
What a wonderful prize….would so much love to share with granddaughter. THANKS
Sharon Jones’s last blog post..Dustin Pedroia!!! What a Nice Holiday Gift!
December 13th, 2008 at 5:14 am
I have a spot reserved on the shelf now just waiting for an elf to make itself at home.
December 13th, 2008 at 5:33 am
howcute
December 13th, 2008 at 5:54 am
Hippy holidays
December 13th, 2008 at 6:16 am
great gift for someone
December 13th, 2008 at 7:15 am
This is on my Christmas list! I think it’s a great idea!
December 13th, 2008 at 7:55 am
I would love to win this!
December 13th, 2008 at 8:02 am
This is really cool. I would love to win.
December 13th, 2008 at 8:02 am
Love elf on the shelf!
thanks!
December 13th, 2008 at 8:40 am
I love that idea. Would it be terrible to keep it up year round?
Madeline’s last blog post..Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow
December 13th, 2008 at 8:51 am
a pretty cool idea
December 13th, 2008 at 9:07 am
My sister has one of these for her daughters. She loves it. I’d like to win one for my son. Thanks for the chance.
December 13th, 2008 at 9:18 am
My coworker uses this and loves it. he highly recommends so I would love to win.
December 13th, 2008 at 9:25 am
I Love Christmas and thank you!!skyxsky27(at)gmail.com
December 13th, 2008 at 9:30 am
I love this, thank you
December 13th, 2008 at 11:44 am
Terrific
December 13th, 2008 at 11:55 am
So cute. My little guy would love to find this in his stocking. Thanks for the giveaway.
December 13th, 2008 at 12:09 pm
The elf on a shelf is so cute.
Our family would enjoy him over the holidays.
December 13th, 2008 at 12:33 pm
hi, please enter me to win!!!
December 13th, 2008 at 1:32 pm
I have been eyeing this for quite some time!
Abby’s last blog post..27-Piece PC Tool Kit w/Pliers Screwdrivers Zipper Case More!
December 13th, 2008 at 2:35 pm
Hoping for a win. Cheers.
December 13th, 2008 at 2:44 pm
Elf on the Shelf gift pack would be wonderful for Christmas.
December 13th, 2008 at 3:12 pm
Thank you for this great timely contest and prize!
December 13th, 2008 at 3:17 pm
I’d love to win it for my son! cute
December 13th, 2008 at 4:37 pm
This would be a great addition on Christmas Eve!!!!!!!!!!!
December 13th, 2008 at 5:00 pm
Thanks for holding this great contest/giveaway. That elf has got to be the cutest little thing!
prplrush’s last blog post..Yeah, yeah I know I have abandoned ya’ll for a couple of months
December 13th, 2008 at 5:04 pm
What a cute little elf of the shelf!
December 13th, 2008 at 5:42 pm
Cute idea, thanks for the contest!
December 13th, 2008 at 6:40 pm
Adorable!
December 13th, 2008 at 7:19 pm
What a great contest. Please enter me and thanks.
December 13th, 2008 at 7:54 pm
What a ctue idea! The elf looks like a decoration we had growing up, I wonder what ever happened to it . . .
December 13th, 2008 at 8:22 pm
This is a wonderful idea! Thank you so much!
December 13th, 2008 at 8:45 pm
way cool add me please!
December 13th, 2008 at 9:32 pm
This is way to cute! I have 2 daughters who would love it!
December 13th, 2008 at 10:18 pm
PLEASE COUNT ME IN ON THIS AWESOME GIVEAWAY
December 13th, 2008 at 11:42 pm
Great idea, thanks for the giveaway!
December 14th, 2008 at 2:47 am
My son would absolutely love this! Great giveaway!!
)
December 14th, 2008 at 3:23 am
This would be a fun tradition to start with my daughter.
December 14th, 2008 at 9:29 am
Cute idea. Thanks for the giveaway.
December 14th, 2008 at 9:30 am
Great prize, the kids would like it!
December 14th, 2008 at 9:49 am
I would love to have this Elf or any other Elf for my home
December 14th, 2008 at 10:53 am
enter me
December 14th, 2008 at 11:46 am
count me in
December 14th, 2008 at 12:05 pm
This is just too cute!
December 14th, 2008 at 12:51 pm
Thanks for the cool giveaway!
December 14th, 2008 at 2:14 pm
really love to win this for my kids, thanks for the chance
December 14th, 2008 at 2:55 pm
Ohhhh how I would love to give this to my grandson and wife to share with their twin girls this Christmas. It would be a wonderful tradition to start.
December 14th, 2008 at 3:01 pm
What a great concept, would love to start this off…
December 14th, 2008 at 4:06 pm
gave one away this year kid loved it need one more as gift
December 14th, 2008 at 4:08 pm
What a great book, sounds fun
Kristi H’s last blog post..It is SNOWING!
December 14th, 2008 at 4:24 pm
I can’t wait to get one for the kids!
December 14th, 2008 at 4:26 pm
I would love to win this for my little grandsons. Thanks for the giveaway.
December 14th, 2008 at 5:27 pm
This is so cute! I would love to win this for my kids!
December 14th, 2008 at 5:43 pm
I would love to win this. It looks cute. Thanks for the chance to win.
December 14th, 2008 at 7:09 pm
My Grandmother had some small versions of this elf! some of them sat and some hung off of shelves. I think my kids would really like these since I can remember them so well.
December 14th, 2008 at 8:48 pm
How adorable! This would be a great tradition to start with my grandchildren.
Lisa Sheldon’s last blog post..
December 14th, 2008 at 9:13 pm
I think traditions are important to every family. What a great idea to start a new tradition!
December 14th, 2008 at 9:18 pm
wow! When we were little, my grandma had a plastic elf she used to hang up every year in the kitchen window. She always told us he was watching to make sure we were good so he could tell Santa.
December 14th, 2008 at 9:31 pm
i would love this
December 14th, 2008 at 10:14 pm
Please enter me–thanks!
December 14th, 2008 at 10:27 pm
Sounds like a great tradition to start.
December 14th, 2008 at 10:47 pm
What a cute Christmas present this would make!
Nancy J’s last blog post..Goodies for Mom (and baby too!): Green Holiday Gift Giveaway
December 14th, 2008 at 11:58 pm
cute idea.
December 15th, 2008 at 12:29 am
Adorable!
December 15th, 2008 at 1:23 am
This looks like fun!
Julie’s last blog post..Mac4Missions
December 15th, 2008 at 1:30 am
cute idea
December 15th, 2008 at 2:32 am
I love this idea. I would love to win this for my grandson and start a new family tradition.
December 15th, 2008 at 4:28 am
…the kids are in bedtime story mode, and we need some fresh material !!!
Happy Holidays !!!
December 15th, 2008 at 5:59 am
HAPPY HOLIDAYS! Fantastic giveaway! Please sign me up for your contest.
December 15th, 2008 at 7:06 am
cute idea.
December 15th, 2008 at 8:20 am
Oooh, I’m slipping in under the wire here.
This looks very sweet, thanks for the giveaway!
stacey @ tree, root, and twig’s last blog post..All Talked Out
December 15th, 2008 at 8:24 am
What an awesome concept! Can’t wait to get my 3 year old started on it!
Semper Fi and Merry Christmas!
Jeff
December 15th, 2008 at 8:53 am
I’d love to read the book with my children and start our own tradition of the elf on the shelf. How fun!! Thanks so much.
Janelle’s last blog post..Miser Brothers’ Christmas
December 15th, 2008 at 9:02 am
I’ve wanted this for years now!! It’s such a cute idea…
give_me_a_latte at yahoo
Tiffany’s last blog post..My Dear Snoogle
December 15th, 2008 at 9:36 am
I have had my eye of this little Elf! I think it would make the holiday so much fun for my daughter and I am keeping my fingers crossed that I will be the lucky host home for the little imp! I will be eagerly checking my email after noon!
December 15th, 2008 at 9:45 am
I have never read this book, but knowing my son who is such a avid book reader (he’s only 3) he would go crazy over this! Thanks for a great giveaway
December 15th, 2008 at 9:56 am
This is too cute. I would love to win!
Donna Moore’s last blog post..Faith in Fiction
December 15th, 2008 at 10:03 am
I’ve seen this hanging around the local book store and have been curious! Thanks for the giveaway!
December 15th, 2008 at 10:40 am
My neighbor got this and it is so cute. I’m looking for it to use with my own kids. Can’t wait to get it!
December 15th, 2008 at 10:42 am
Please enter me into the contest. Thanks!
December 15th, 2008 at 11:05 am
My granddaughter would love this book.
December 15th, 2008 at 11:09 am
I just heard about the elf this year. Everywhere I go I run into a parent talking about it. We had a friend stay the night and she brought her elf. Now my kids want one. Problem is…. area stores are sold out! Great giveaway.
December 15th, 2008 at 11:27 am
My kids would love this.
December 15th, 2008 at 11:44 am
I am so thankful that others are so creative and have such wonderful imaginations! Thank you for the opportunity to participate in this giveaway! Happy Holidays to One and All!!!!
December 15th, 2008 at 12:16 pm
I just found out about this doll and book from a friend today!!!….definitely going to get one for my daughter!!
Robert S.’s last blog post..Save Money & Save Energy This Winter
December 15th, 2008 at 12:28 pm
I would love to win this. I know a little girl who will love that book.
December 15th, 2008 at 12:31 pm
WOW this looks like fun. My kids would love that little Elf.
December 15th, 2008 at 12:41 pm
my son would like this
December 15th, 2008 at 12:59 pm
I haven’t seen this but I’m sure my grandson would love it.
December 15th, 2008 at 1:36 pm
Good luck!
December 15th, 2008 at 2:32 pm
That Elf is absolutely awesome! Would love to take it out every year for Christmas!