Families all over the country have an Elf on the Shelf. Learn more about how this Christmas tradition works, including the pros and cons of inviting an elf into your home. Fact checked by Sarah ...

The mother-daughter duo self-published "The Elf on the Shelf: A Christmas Tradition" in 2005. The original book comes with an elf doll, available in several diverse options. Elf on the Shelf ...

New Jersey mom Mary Grego says the best part of her creative Elf on the Shelf displays is watching her two kids smile and seeing their "eyes glisten" Georgia Slater is a staff editor on the ...

Christy Heins, of North Aurora, Illinois, shared her exit strategy for getting out of the Elf on the Shelf routine in a hilarious Facebook post on Dec. 3 Dave Quinn is a Senior Editor for PEOPLE.