The number 1 rule for Elf on the Shelf is: you must not touch your Scout Elf, or they will lose their Christmas magic and ability to fly back to the North Pole to report to Santa. Children are encouraged to share secrets with the elf, but adults can only touch the elf in emergencies, using tools like tongs, or if they're moving it for the child.
The core Elf on the Shelf rules are: don't touch the elf (or it loses magic), it reports to Santa nightly, it only moves at night, and kids can talk to it but it doesn't talk back. Families often add their own rules, like naming the elf and leaving notes, with parents adjusting based on their children's understanding, focusing on kindness and fun rather than strict discipline.
The three rules of the Code of the Elves from the movie Elf are: 1. Treat every day like Christmas; 2. There's room for everyone on the nice list; and 3. The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear, as explained in this Pop Culture and Theology article and this Facebook post.
Santa advises that no family member touch their Elf on the Shelf, but he does describe a few rare instances when an adult may use tongs or potholders to help an elf in an urgent situation. Parents: read on to learn about special, few and far between cases where emergency help will be required.
The first rule of the Code of Elves from the movie Elf is: "Treat every day like Christmas!". This embodies the spirit of joy, wonder, and spreading cheer that defines the main character, Buddy the Elf, and his perspective on life.
If you get wind of anything, call me on my radio. Channel three, code word is "Santa's got a brand new bag".
The three rules of the Code of the Elves from the movie Elf are: 1. Treat every day like Christmas; 2. There's room for everyone on the nice list; and 3. The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear, as explained in this Pop Culture and Theology article and this Facebook post.
Maybe it's his favorite spot, just like we all have a favorite spot at the dinner table or on the couch watching TV. Or he has a primo view to watch you from. He slept in…and didn't want you to see him move and ruin the magic. He's entitled to a rest—the North Pole is a hike.
Write a nice apology note to your Elf telling your Elf how very sorry you are for touching him. This is a great way for your Elf to regain Christmas magic. Sprinkle some cinnamon near the Elf. Cinnamon is like Elf vitamins and will help your elf get back to the North Pole and make a full recovery!
According to The Elf on the Shelf: A Christmas Tradition, the night before Christmas, an elf's job comes to an end. On December 24, most Scout Elves say farewell to their families and fly back to the North Pole following Santa's sleigh. This way, they can help him begin preparing for the year ahead.
“The Code of the Elves states that every day should be treated like Christmas, full of magic, wonder, and joy.” - Elf.
According to elf legend, the elf moves each night. Some mornings, though, kids might find themselves asking why the elf is still in its same place. Here are a few possible reasons that Santa's helper may not have found a new position in your home.
While children are not permitted to touch the elf, as doing so would compromise its magic, they are encouraged to share their Christmas wishes with it. On Christmas Eve, the elf's mission is complete, and it remains at the North Pole until the next season.
It's important to know that Elves don't move from place to place in your house throughout the day. There's only one time when they're allowed to move: at night. So if the sun is still shining and your kids are still awake, your Elf will patiently wait until your littles go to bed to switch up their location.
The first rule of the Code of Elves from the movie Elf is: "Treat every day like Christmas!". This embodies the spirit of joy, wonder, and spreading cheer that defines the main character, Buddy the Elf, and his perspective on life.
This has definitely become one of our favourite elf traditions. On Christmas Eve the kids can say goodbye to our elf with a big hug since he doesn't need his elf magic to go home that night.
Yes, parents can touch the Elf on the Shelf, especially in emergencies or to move them, but it's best done with tools like tongs or gloves to avoid direct skin contact to preserve their magic, as kids absolutely cannot touch them; parents can also help by cleaning up messes or placing the elf in safe spots, with rules varying by family, but the core idea is to keep the wonder alive.
Guilt-Driven Behavior
The elf is a “scout.” That means the reason why he's in the house is to spy on your behavior. If our kids' motivation for obedience is to get better Christmas presents, then behavior is just another expression of selfishness. Bribery and guilt are terrible ways to shape a heart.
You can tell your kid that her Elf on the Shelf has a secret message for her, the excitement of which will probably make her forget that she caught you moving her.
The rarest Elf on the Shelf is considered the Yellow Elf, sometimes called the "Banana Elf," a special, ultra-rare edition with yellow skin that appears in very few special deliveries, making it highly sought after by collectors, alongside other variations like the Giant Red Chippy or the African American versions.
If your elf didn't move, they may be trying to communicate an important message to you! If your elf is accidentally touched, they may have just enough energy to get to the North Pole but not enough magic to create a whole new scene in your home.
Take advantage of the snowy weather outside and blame a snow storm. He forgot to set his alarm. Elves can oversleep, too! Tell your kids the elf must have missed his alarm and didn't want to get caught moving to a new spot in the morning.
"If you get wind of anything, call me on my radio. Channel three. Code word is Santa's got a brand new bag."
Do I need one Elf per child or one per household? The choice is yours.
Due to some of the violent scenes mentioned below, children under the age of 5 will need parental guidance to view this movie. Some children in this age group may still need some parental guidance. Children over the age of eight should be okay to see this movie with or without parental guidance.