Fresh out of Elf on the Shelf ideas? New to the holiday tradition and want to get in on the fun?

For $30, parents can buy the official Elf on the Shelf book and figurine that can be placed around the house to "observe" whether kids are being naughty or nice. This helpful elf then reports its daily findings to Santa Claus.

Each night leading up to Christmas, parents secretly move the elf to a new location, letting kids know that there is always a watchful eye on their behavior.

For those needing a little inspiration, Rare has a quick video with 25 ways to place your elf:

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Angie McBrayer, ex-wife of James Aaron McBrayer, leans her head on her son Sam McBrayer as she and her three children and two grandchildren (from left) Jackson McBrayer, 3, Piper Jae McBrayer, 7, Katy Isaza, and Jordan McBrayer, visit the grave of James McBrayer, Thursday, November 20, 2025, in Tifton. He died after being restrained by Tift County sheriff's deputies on April 24, 2019. His ex-wife witnessed the arrest and said she thought the deputies were being rough but did not imagine that McBrayer would die. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC