It’s the most wonderful time of the year and time for a common tradition to take place. Around Christmas time a small visitor from Santa becomes a festive part of the family hiding and leaving gifts throughout the Christmas season. 

Each family’s traditions for their Elf on the Shelf vary. School counselor Mrs. Kara Miller shares her family’s differentiated involvement in this well-known tradition. 

“The Miller family has a specific ‘Book Elfie’ that brings the kids a new night-time book the 12 days before Christmas (not the whole month),” Mrs. Miller said. “Partly because that’s a lot of books, but also because my birthday conveniently falls on the 12th, so that is the marker for Elfie to come to town.” 

Kindergartner Emery Miller shares her viewpoint on when her family’s elf pays her a ceremonial visit. 

“We leave our elf by the T.V.,” Miller said. “But then we go to the Christmas tree and there are books by the tree, and our elf hides behind the tree.”  

Mrs. Miller continues the description of their elf by mentioning that the elf isn’t seen by the children but rather makes his presence known in a different form. 

“Elfie isn’t seen or in doll form, he just magically leaves a gift bag (specific one) with a book and a note each night while kids are brushing teeth and doing bedtime routine,” Mrs. Miller said. “But if the kids struggle to have their listening ears on, Elfie might only leave a reminder note that Santa is watching and give Elfie strict instructions to only leave the book for good behavior and listeners.” 

In Westside kindergarten teacher Mrs. Rasmussen’s classroom, a “kindness elf” has joined the classroom encouraging the kids to be friendly towards each other. 

“For the month of December we have a class elf visiting our classroom. This is a kindness elf that will be here to encourage the kids to spread joy, love, and kindness,” Rasmussen said. “Overall though, the elf is present in our classroom to encourage the kiddos in doing acts of kindness.” 

There are several creative forms by which an elf can pay a visit to a family during the holiday season. One way includes the elf hiding the night before in a clever manner to surprise those who stumble upon the elf the next morning. 

“My elf hided in the fridge, and in the tree,” kindergartner Sophia Holland said. “Its name is Peppermint, and its last name is Candy Cane.” 

The variation of hiding spots contributes to the fun of Christmas allowing the kids (and adults) a new excitement each day. 

“I love seeing where he hides,” 3rd grader Kendall Keister said. “My favorite part is waking up to find where he moved the night before.” 

 The Elf on the Shelf serves as a reminder of the Christmas spirit provided to those who participate. Some hold on to this tradition as a reminder of the festivities they used to enjoy. 

“The Elf on the Shelf really brought me a lot of joy because I look forward to the Christmas season,” senior Bailee Sherman said. “This was something I will remember from my childhood and I now get to pass this tradition on to my younger siblings.”