What does the elf on the shelf do?

An elf on the shelf comes to you sometime in December. They stay the whole month - or until Santa has come and gone and you've had your Christmas (some families have it on different days so Santa sometimes makes exceptions).

Websites like www.ShelfTheElf.com report on Elf activities.

If you leave out food they might eat it, so be aware! They especially love saltine crackers and water. They usually come in the early morning, but always when all the house is sleeping. They watch you throughout the day, then at night they report to Santa (good or bad). They like to sit in a new place every morning - sometimes they get tricky and try to hide, but you should still be able to find them.

WARNING: If you TOUCH THEM THEY LOSE THEIR POWERS & CAN'T GET BACK TO THE NORTH POLE.

If you've accidentally touched an elf, you can tryreviving them by leaving them in the freezer overnight. DON'T TOUCH THEM AGAIN TO PLACE THEM THERE THOUGH. Use a pair of kitchen tongs or pliers, but be gentle. Don't place them in the freezer until night time and then leave them there for one entire night. In the morning, remove them (using tongs or pliers) and place them back where you first touched them and leave them there all day and night. If they've been able to recover, you will know the next morning because they will have moved to a new location - and you may receive a not-so-nice note from them? If you are successful in reviving your Elf, be thankful and be very sure not to touch them again because you may not be so lucky the next time. Too much human touch and they lose power forever and become just another ordinary toy doll.

Good luck!