What is Elf on the Shelf? A Fun Holiday Tradition

Hello, everyone! Pastor Ko Han-Seung here, and today I want to talk about a popular Christmas tradition that has captured the hearts of many families in recent years: Elf on the Shelf. As your pastor at the Korean Community Church of New Jersey, I believe it’s important to discuss not just religious topics, but also cultural phenomena that affect our community. So, let’s dive into the world of this mischievous little elf!

The Basics: What Exactly is Elf on the Shelf?

Elf on the Shelf is a Christmas tradition based on a children’s book and its accompanying toy. The story goes that Santa sends special scout elves to homes around the world to watch over children and report back to him about their behavior. Each night, the elf returns to the North Pole to give Santa an update, and then reappears in a new spot in the house the next morning.

Key Points About Elf on the Shelf:

1. It’s based on a 2005 children’s book by Carol Aebersold and Chanda Bell.
2. The tradition includes a small elf figurine that comes with the book.
3. Parents move the elf to a new location each night.
4. Children are encouraged to behave well, knowing the elf is watching.
5. The elf becomes a fun hide-and-seek game for families during the holiday season.

The History Behind the Tradition

As a pastor, I find the history of traditions fascinating. The Elf on the Shelf story began as a family tradition for the authors, Carol Aebersold and her daughter Chanda Bell. They decided to share their family’s tradition with the world by writing a book about it in 2005.

Timeline of Elf on the Shelf:

• 2005: The book “The Elf on the Shelf: A Christmas Tradition” is self-published.
• 2007: The book gains popularity and starts appearing in stores.
• 2008: The Elf on the Shelf wins several toy awards.
• 2011: The first Elf on the Shelf TV special airs.
• 2012: The Elf on the Shelf balloon debuts in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
• 2013: Over 6 million Elf on the Shelf kits have been sold.

It’s remarkable how quickly this tradition has grown and become a part of many families’ Christmas celebrations!

How Does Elf on the Shelf Work?

Now, let me explain how this tradition typically plays out in homes. As your pastor, I want to help you understand new customs that might affect your family life.

1. Arrival: The elf usually arrives at the beginning of the holiday season, often right after Thanksgiving.
2. Naming: Families often name their elf, giving it a unique identity.
3. Daily Movement: Parents move the elf to a new spot each night after the children are asleep.
4. Morning Discovery: Children wake up excited to find where the elf has moved.
5. No Touching: A key rule is that children can’t touch the elf, or it might lose its magic.
6. Reporting to Santa: The elf is said to fly back to the North Pole each night to report to Santa.
7. Departure: On Christmas Eve, the elf usually returns to the North Pole until next year.

Examples of Elf Locations:

To give you an idea of the creativity involved, here are some popular spots where parents might place their elf:

• Sitting in a bowl of cereal
• Hanging from a chandelier
• Reading a tiny book
• Making “snow angels” in spilled flour
• Riding in a toy car
• Peeking out of a stocking
• Sitting on top of the Christmas tree

The Impact on Children and Families

As a pastor, I often think about how traditions affect our spiritual and family lives. Elf on the Shelf has both positive and challenging aspects to consider.

Positive Aspects:

1. Family Bonding: It creates a shared experience for families during the holiday season.
2. Creativity: Parents and children alike can exercise their imagination.
3. Holiday Spirit: It adds an element of magic and excitement to the Christmas season.
4. Tradition Building: Families create lasting memories and traditions.

Challenges to Consider:

1. Pressure on Parents: The daily task of moving the elf can become stressful for busy parents.
2. Materialism: Some worry it adds to the commercialization of Christmas.
3. Behavior Management: There’s debate about using the elf as a tool for controlling children’s behavior.
4. Cultural Sensitivity: Not all families celebrate Christmas or feel comfortable with this tradition.

Elf on the Shelf and Christian Values

As your pastor, I believe it’s important to reflect on how this tradition aligns with our Christian values. While Elf on the Shelf isn’t a religious tradition, we can find ways to connect it to our faith.

Connecting Elf on the Shelf to Christian Teachings:

1. Kindness and Good Deeds: Use the elf to encourage acts of kindness, not just good behavior for rewards.
2. God’s Love: Remind children that God’s love is unconditional, unlike the elf’s watchful eye.
3. Family Time: Use the tradition as a way to spend more quality time together as a family.
4. Generosity: Have the elf “suggest” donating toys or helping others.
5. Gratitude: Encourage children to express thankfulness for their blessings.

Creative Ideas for Elf on the Shelf

If you decide to incorporate this tradition into your family’s celebrations, here are some fun and creative ideas to try:

1. Elf Service Projects: Have your elf suggest daily acts of kindness or service.
2. Cultural Learning: Use the elf to introduce children to Christmas traditions from around the world.
3. Bible Story Scenes: Create small scenes with the elf depicting Bible stories.
4. Family Game Night: Have the elf set up a miniature game for the family to play together.
5. Gratitude Notes: Let the elf leave notes encouraging family members to express gratitude.

Elf on the Shelf Ideas for Each Day of the Week

Day	Elf Activity	Christian Connection
Monday	Reading a tiny Bible	Importance of studying Scripture
Tuesday	Surrounded by canned goods for donation	Helping those in need
Wednesday	Writing a “thank you” note	Practicing gratitude
Thursday	Setting up a nativity scene	Remembering the true meaning of Christmas
Friday	Baking cookies for neighbors	Showing love to our community
Saturday	Decorating a mini Christmas tree	Celebrating God’s gift of Jesus
Sunday	Sitting in a church pew made of popsicle sticks	Importance of worship and fellowship

Addressing Common Questions About Elf on the Shelf

As your pastor, I often receive questions about various traditions. Here are some common questions about Elf on the Shelf and my thoughts on them:

1. Is Elf on the Shelf replacing the true meaning of Christmas?

No, it doesn’t have to. While Elf on the Shelf is a secular tradition, we can use it as a tool to reinforce the true meaning of Christmas. It’s up to us as parents and community leaders to keep the focus on the birth of Jesus and the values of love, hope, and giving.

2. Should Christian families participate in Elf on the Shelf?

This is a personal decision for each family. There’s no biblical mandate for or against it. If you choose to participate, consider ways to incorporate Christian values into the tradition.

3. How can we make Elf on the Shelf more meaningful?

Use the elf to encourage acts of kindness, generosity, and gratitude. Have the elf “suggest” ways for children to help others or to learn more about the Christmas story.

4. What if we can’t keep up with moving the elf every night?

Remember, this is supposed to be fun, not stressful. If it becomes a burden, it’s okay to adapt the tradition to fit your family’s needs. Maybe your elf only moves on weekends, or perhaps it stays in one spot but leaves encouraging notes instead.

5. How do we explain Elf on the Shelf to children who don’t celebrate Christmas?

This is an opportunity to teach children about different cultural traditions. Explain that just as some families have special traditions for Lunar New Year or Chuseok, some families have this tradition for Christmas.

Alternatives to Elf on the Shelf

As your pastor, I want to acknowledge that Elf on the Shelf might not be the right fit for every family. Here are some alternatives that might better align with your values or preferences:

1. Kindness Elves: Similar to Elf on the Shelf, but focused on encouraging kind acts.
2. Shepherd on the Search: A Christian alternative that focuses on finding the baby Jesus.
3. Mensch on a Bench: A similar concept for families celebrating Hanukkah.
4. Advent Calendars: A traditional way to count down to Christmas, often with daily Scripture readings.
5. Jesus Stocking: A stocking where family members place notes of good deeds done in Jesus’ name.

Incorporating Elf on the Shelf into Your Family’s Spiritual Life

If you decide to embrace the Elf on the Shelf tradition, here are some ways to make it a more spiritually meaningful experience:

1. Daily Bible Verses: Have your elf hold a different Bible verse each day for the family to discuss.
2. Prayer Partner: Use the elf as a reminder to pray together as a family each day.
3. Nativity Journey: Move the elf along with nativity figures to retell the Christmas story over several days.
4. Charity Challenge: Let the elf challenge family members to find ways to help others each day.
5. Fruit of the Spirit Focus: Use the elf to highlight a different fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, etc.) each day.