For twenty years, Scout Elves have flown into homes around the world, but it’s your stories that have kept their magic alive. In 2025, as we celebrate 20 years of The Elf on the Shelf, we’re celebrating you: the believers, the storytellers, and the families who’ve made this tradition a part of your hearts and homes.
When it comes to your Scout Elves, you treasure those moments when the magic turns into a lasting memory.
A Tradition That Connects Us
From across the world, in small towns and big cities, families share a common thread of joy each December—wonder that begins with a small elf in a red suit, a red hat with white brim and a white collar.
Our 20th Anniversary theme, “Calling All Believers,” celebrates everyone who’s kept the spirit of Christmas alive through imagination, creativity, and joy. Across social media and communities around the world, families are sharing their Stories from the Shelf — real moments that remind us how powerful a little magic can be.
From “snow” in the living room and mini pancake breakfasts to special deliveries from the North Pole, your Scout Elves have done it all, turning this simple idea into a global community of love and laughter.
Your stories and pictures demonstrate how moments like these—simple, hilarious, and heartfelt—make every Christmas season unforgettable.
Read the fan stories below and tap the arrows on each card to see their elf’s scene. And don’t forget to share your own Story from the Shelf with us on social media using #TheElfontheShelf and #StoriesFromTheShelf.
![Quote on card: My grandma [said] the elves were watching and reporting back to Santa at the North Pole. When my mom had her own family, she kept the tradition alive. We believed it completely—and the joy was unforgettable. When I had kids of my own, I was so excited to bring that same joy into their lives...we welcomed our Scout Elf and began creating new holiday memories together. Brittany B.](https://media.elfontheshelf.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Shelf-4-480x480.webp)
Two Decades of Joy, Wonder and Togetherness
Our 20th Anniversary Celebration is more than a milestone. It’s a thank-you to every family who has ever said “welcome home” to a Scout Elf.
- One year, our Elf Maxx climbed our Christmas tree all the way to the top and placed our star without us noticing! —Susienguyen_
- My favorite memory of my elf is the time I saw he removed the cream filling from between my Oreo cookies and was putting white toothpaste in there instead. —Ledri A
- My favorite The Elf on the Shelf memory is when I used the Letters to Santa shrinking letter kit. I wrote to Santa asking for a little tiny robot. My elf, Magic, delivered the letter to Santa the next day. A couple days later when I went to take pictures with Santa Claus, he gave me the actual letter back! Definitely a memory to remember. —Joseph R.
- My son thought that the elves didn’t come back to our house because he couldn’t find them inside the house. Once he got into the car to leave for school, he was pleasantly surprised! He is not one to show excitement, so this moment was really special. —Kara
- My favorite memory is when I woke up and the elves put “snow” all over the fan. When I turned on the light, white snow covered the living room. —Amber S.
From creative setups and silly scenes to the quiet comfort of knowing Santa’s helper is there to bring you cheer, The Elf on the Shelf has helped families rediscover what matters most: time together.
- Our elf, Jingles, was the highlight of Christmas time with our kids! —Christy M.
- Elfie is year-round elf. He tends to go on many vacations, but of course December is his most fun month of activities. My husband and I are currently going through IVF, so it’s just the two of us doing The Elf on The Shelf, but we’re thankful to have this little piece while we wait for our family of three! —Chloe’s Magical Travels
- I was beyond the years of childhood magic when The Elf on the Shelf first made a debut. But that hasn’t stopped my love for the Scout Elves! [My husband] took me to [adopt an elf]…the very last Elf they had on the shelf! My elf Noel has been with me since. Now both daughters have their own who come every year & it’s our very favorite holiday tradition. —Ksqwissh
- We love The Elf on the Shelf! Quinnie has Moe-Moe who wears hearing aids like him and Maggie has his sister Cindy. Every year they play tricks on us so this year Quinn wanted to be elves for Halloween! Quinn is a 9-year-old, 2-time brain cancer survivor, and his father is now battling brain cancer. We plan to visit children this year dressed as elves who are inpatient battling cancer! —@thefriendsofmightyquinn
Here’s to You, the Believers
For twenty years, you’ve opened your homes, your hearts, and your imaginations to Santa’s Scout Elves. You’ve turned sleepy mornings into scavenger hunts, ordinary nights into magical memories, and this story into millions of shared moments of joy.
From all of us at the North Pole, thank you for twenty years of believing, sharing, and celebrating. Here’s to the next 20 years of Christmas cheer… and to you, the believers who bring the magic to life.
Share your elf story with us on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok using #TheElfontheShelf and #StoriesFromTheShelf.