Have you ever wondered (or had to explain) how Santa knows if you’ve been good or bad? We received the answer in the form of a sweet pixie-elf who arrived on our doorstep last week, as part of a Christmas gift package.

Mother-Daughter team, Carol Aebersold and Chanda Bell have produced a truly special gift in The Elf on the Shelf. This charming package includes an elf for your own shelf. And a storybook that explains this holiday tradition that began in Carol’s family when her children were small, many years ago.

In a nutshell, the elf works for Santa. His assignment is to fly back to the North Pole each night to report back to the boss if you’ve been naughty or nice that day. The elf magically returns before you awake, ready to keep a watchful eye on your behavior for another day …