In which I dig into the newest element of the Santa Claus story, and how a picture book and toy written by a mother/daughter team has become a global phenomenon. I discuss the history and origins of Elf on the Shelf, and explore some of the critcisms of it. Spoiler alert: this thing makes people MAD.

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References and further reading:
Medium: Where Did This “Elf on the Shelf” Come From?

HuffPost: The Strange And Sweet History Of The Elf On The Shelf

TODAY: What's the Elf on the Shelf story?

The Telegraph: The real story behind Elf on the Shelf

Woman's Day: What Is The Elf on the Shelf and How Does It Work?

The Atlantic: You're a Creepy One, Elf on the Shelf

Vox: The Elf on the Shelf is the greatest fraud ever pulled on children

The Washington Post: The Elf on the Shelf: It must be stopped!

The New York Times: Beware the Elf on the Shelf, Privacy Watchdogs Warn

The Guardian: Elf on the Shelf is a fun and festive way to teach your child to submit to the surveillance state

HerFamily: Elf on the Shelf is actually pretty bad for your kids, according to an expert

PsychologyToday: Will the Elf on the Shelf Improve Your Child's Behavior?

The Sydney Morning Herald: Why the Elf on the Shelf is banned from my home