27 Surprising Things You Don't Know About the Elf on the Shelf, Straight From the Creator

Elf on the Shelf isn't just for families — it was also created and brought to you by a family from Georgia. Carol Aebersold made sure that her daughters grew up with this adorable tradition and by the time that Chanda had kids of her own, she realized how magical her childhood was. "The elf came every year at Thanksgiving and went back to the North Pole every Christmas Eve," Chanda said. "When I grew up I had such magical moments and the elf always came. Through high school and college, through engagements and early marriage years, and the elf always showed up at my family’s house. It was such an important part of our family tradition."