4 Things Elf on the Shelf Skeptics Need to Consider ASAP

Some parents are on the fence with this trend because they don't like the idea of telling their kids that someone is always watching them. According to Chanda, the negative factor depends on how parents frame it — it's important for Santa to know that good deeds are happening but it's up to the parents in how they explain that to their children. "I really encourage people in their approach to embrace it as a fun member of the family and as a tradition and not so much as an elf that is watching you," Chanda explained. "That part is in representation."