Effie's Story

Every day from Thanksgiving until Christmas Eve, Effie watches over the Lenz children and then at night, once everyone goes to bed, she flies back to the North Pole to report back to Santa about what activities, good and bad, took place throughout the day. Before the Lenz family wakes up each morning, she flies back from the North Pole and hides. By hiding in a new spot each morning around the house, Effie and the Lenz family can play an on-going game of hide and seek.

The Elf on the Shelf explains that elves get their magic by being named. Once the elf is named, the scout elf receives its special Christmas magic which allows it to fly to and from the North Pole.

Although families aren't supposed to touch their scout elf, they can talk to it and tell it all their Christmas wishes so it can report back to Santa.