It’s been 20 years since a tiny Scout Elf began hiding, reporting to Santa, and changing December mornings in the countdown to Christmas forever.
The magical story of Santa’s little helper was brought to life by twin sisters Chanda Bell and Christa Pitts, inspired by their crafty mother, and grew into the global phenomenon now known as the Elf on the Shelf.
The sister said they wanted to share the magic and joy of their cherished childhood tradition.
Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today
In 2005, Bell and Pitts took a huge personal risk, self-publishing a storybook about the tiny Santa-red doll, complete with its signature cone hat and white collar.
Each night it magically flies to the North Pole to report back to Santa on who’s been naughty or nice, before reappearing around the house — often getting up to all sorts of mischief, serving as part spy, part prankster (and the ultimate master of emotional blackmail).
The Scout Elf is never to be touched or its magic might vanish and it won’t be able to fly back to the North Pole.
Thousands of sketches, hundreds of calls, and countless “nos” later, their first big break came when paparazzi spotted Jennifer Garner carrying The Elf on the Shelf book.
Quickly the simple US family tradition transformed into a global phenomenon, turning the Scout Elf into a beloved sensation recognised across generations.
Bell said they never imagined the Elf would take off like it has.
“I don’t think we ever imagined that the story I wrote with my mom and the little elf that you adopt with that story would become really as synonymous with Christmas as Santa Claus as a self-published book, we certainly never saw what it would become today.”
Over 31 million Scout Elves have since been sold, the storybook has become the fourth bestselling children’s book of the last 25 years — even surpassing Dr. Seuss — and animated specials stream on Netflix.
But an equal amount of parents can be found the night before December 1, frantically rummaging through closets and drawers for last year’s elf — a hiding spot they thought was kid-proof, but clearly parent-proof too.
Each elf comes with a book telling the original story and the official naming rights, letting families bring the pint-sized rascal to life and create their own nightly adventures full of surprises (and chaos).
Families share setups ion social media, from simple fun to elaborate pranks.
Official kits, jumpers, props, and DIY instructions let parents stage creative scenes, with some staying up long past their kids’ bedtime, carefully wiring the Elf’s delicate limbs — afraid it might break, because then they’d have to invent a new story by morning …. and scramble to set up a replacement in time.
Fair to say, the tradition comes with its challenges.
The Scout Elf cannot move during the day because its magic only works at night, leaving it completely helpless and relying on parents who are sleep-deprived from staying up late every night thinking up and setting up new scenes.
Cats are natural enemies and often sabotage delicate displays, while dogs will claim the Elf as their new toy whenever they can reach it.
Questionable hiding spots have put the little mischief-maker in serious danger, like ovens, car bumpers, or ceiling fans.
Others have been frozen by Elsa, drowned in pools, or taken on an involuntary ride in the washing machine, all because they were forgotten during the day.
The Elf’s “no touching” rule has led to hilarious household disruptions, from blocking dinner prep and laundry to perching on cars, forcing parents into last-minute rescues.
The tiny troublemaker has endured a lot, all while smiling through the chaos.
Some Elves have to live with hilariously quirky names from their youngest humans.
There’s no asking the little dolls what they are like being called. Some get lucky and get away with “Snowie”, “Elfie”, “Bubblegum”, others have to live with Sir Wigglebottom, Princess Sparklepuff or one’s family’s elf got named Bleh — apparently the child was never impressed by the creepy “spy elf,” but liked its adventures.
The first “Elf generation” is now grown up, and the innocent setups of their childhood have evolved into cheeky, naughtier pranks.
Kids who once leapt out of bed to find their Scout Elf are now running after tiny chaos-makers of their own.
Hopefully they’re grateful for parents setting up 24 new scenes each December. That’s 240 setups over 10 years. Parents should literally do the math before signing up.
