The Elf On The Shelf ® Tradition-in-a-box™

Dec. 4, 2009 - PRLog -- THE NORTH POLE — When money is tight, families get creative, especially when it comes to ways to make the holidays magical for their young ones.

“When we talk to parents around the country, their most cherished holiday memories are less about any one particular toy and more about the simple joy of family traditions,” says Carol Aebersold, co-author, along with her daughter Chanda Bell, of The Elf on the Shelf: A Christmas Tradition®. “We see a return to tradition, rather than extravagant spending, becoming the heart of the holidays for families.”

Never has that been more profound than in today’s economy.  According to Aebersold, parents are keeping a close eye on their holiday spending and are delighted to create new traditions with their own children around The Elf on the Shelf.   Whether their elf makes its first appearance of the season on Thanksgiving Day or they enjoy the hunt for their elf each morning, families are creating lasting memories that will be woven into the fabric of their family history.

Explains Aebersold, “With The Elf on the Shelf parents enter into that state of wonder and amazement right along with their children.  Celebrating the holidays isn’t about spending money; rather, it’s about spending time together as a family.”

In that way, The Elf on the Shelf is much like the classics of yesteryear — affordable and dependent on a child’s innocent belief to truly come to life.  More importantly, the classics hold their value in ways fads never do.

Many moms and dads may remember the Scandinavian tale of the pixie elf who reports to Santa on their behavior but appreciate the way Aebersold and Bell, along with illustrator Coë Steinwart, have given it new life. Their beautifully illustrated hardcover book tells the story of why Santa relies upon these scout elves to do his job and explains how they work.

Last year, the gift set was so popular that moms were meeting delivery trucks in the store parking lots, grabbing a keepsake box for their families before they even made it onto shelves.

This year looks to be even hotter.  Both national and independent retailers are promoting The Elf on the Shelf as one of their best holiday buys and predict it will be one of the season’s best-selling items. Even in this hyper-electronic age, toys powered by imagination are becoming even more popular with a new generation of families.

About The Elf on the Shelf:  A Christmas Tradition
The Elf on the Shelf: A Christmas Tradition was written by Carol Aebersold and her daughter Chanda Bell, both former teachers.  Illustrated by award-winning illustrator Coë Steinwart, the book answers the age-old question, “How does Santa really know who’s been naughty or nice?” The Elf on the Shelf is based on an old tradition Aebersold began with her children when they were young. Here's how it works:  Sometime during the holiday season, Santa sends a scout elf to each home to watch over the children's behavior. The elf gets its Christmas magic when the family gives it a name of its own. Each night, after the children are safely tucked into bed, the elf flies to the North Pole where it reports to Santa who has been nice or naughty that day. Before the children awaken, the elf has returned to their home but is observing them from a new post in the house. The children race out of bed to discover the elf's new location. There is one important rule: children should not touch the elf or it might lose its magic and jeopardize any good reports the elf may have planned to give to Santa.  

For $29.95, this hardbound book is creatively packaged and comes with its own pixie-elf seated on a shelf in an attractive keepsake box. Children can register their elf’s name at www.elfontheshelf.com and receive a special letter from Santa Claus.  In addition to the award-winning, interactive North Pole Web site, the company offers The Elf on the Shelf: A Christmas Activity Book™.  The activity book helps keep little hands and minds busy with games, puzzles, crafts, a sing-a-long music CD, coloring pages and more.  This year, the company introduced two new products: Plushee Pals™, plush versions of their REAL scout elf counterparts, made of the softest material Santa’s toymakers could find, and the very first piece from the Claus Couture Collection™, an ice-white, pleated skirt embroidered with holly berry red snowflakes.

To find an “elf adoption center” near you, purchase online or learn more, visit www.elfontheshelf.com.