The Villages - December 2017 - 52

A Modern Tradition for Kids, Parents and Grandparents
Story By MArK ANDErSoN | photoS By roB WILKErSoN

T

he holiday season is a time for traditions -
secret family recipes, gift giving, and visits
with children and grandchildren. Often, those
traditions are passed down from father to son or mother
to daughter. However, there's a relatively new tradition
that is becoming increasingly popular among people of
all ages around the world - Elf on the Shelf.
For newcomers, Elf on the Shelf originates from a
children's book of the same name published in 2005. In
the book, authors Carol Aebersold and Chanda Bell divulge the secret of Santa's special elves who keep watch
over children during the months leading up to Christmas Day.
In the story, a family names their elf
and the elf is imbued with magical
power. The elf watches over the family, and at the end of each day, flies
back to the North Pole to report the
family's activities - good or bad.
When the elf returns, he or she finds a
new spot to sit in the house - blending in to
continue monitoring the family.
For many parents and grandparents, Elf
on the Shelf has quickly become a holiday ritual that is as popular as caroling
and putting up the lights.
Kids, parents and grandparents alike
all can find something to love about the
modern tradition.
For kids, it's the joy of seeing where the elf ends up
at the beginning of each
day leading up to Christmas. "Where will it end up
next?" "How did it get up there?" These
are the questions kids love to ask, and
it's all up to the parents and grandparents to make it happen.

52

DECEMBER 2017

Sherri Menefee and her daughter Ella take part in
Elf on the Shelf every year. "(We enjoy) the excitement
each morning of Ella getting up and looking to see
where the elf is and what it has done," Menefee said.
"We have a very mischievous elf !"

We enjoy the
excitement each
morning of Ella
getting up and
looking to see
where the elf is and
what it has done.
- Sherri Menefee

-slav-/iStock/Thinkstock

Elf ShElf
on
the



Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of The Villages - December 2017

Contents
The Villages - December 2017 - Cover1
The Villages - December 2017 - Contents
The Villages - December 2017 - 1
The Villages - December 2017 - 2
The Villages - December 2017 - 3
The Villages - December 2017 - 4
The Villages - December 2017 - 5
The Villages - December 2017 - 6
The Villages - December 2017 - 7
The Villages - December 2017 - 8
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