The Scandinavian elf - a magical roommate during the Advent season

The Scandinavian elf is a little Christmas helper who moves in with your family on 1 December. He hides behind a mysterious elf door and leaves little messages or plays tricks every day. Sometimes he enchants your home with miniature worlds, sometimes he gives the little ones puzzles or little tasks. The great thing about it? Every family can personalise elf season and decide for themselves how active or playful their little guest is. The children never get to see elf because it is nocturnal and lives behind its little elf door during the day. That's why he only communicates with the kids via letters.

To the gnome world

The Elf on the Shelf® - a spy for Father Christmas

The concept of The Elf on the Shelf® is completely different. This American tradition originates from a 2005 book by Carol Aebersold and has since become established in many families. The story tells of little Christmas elves, the so-called "Scout Elves". They come to visit after Thanksgiving and watch the children to tell Santa Claus whether they have been good or naughty.

Every evening he flies back to the North Pole and reappears the next morning in a new place in the house - often in funny or creative situations. Parents come up with all sorts of ideas for this: Sometimes he is in the fridge, sometimes he hangs upside down from a lamp or sits in a cup of cocoa in the kitchen. But be careful: he must not be touched, otherwise he loses his magic and can no longer travel back to Father Christmas.

The tradition ends at Christmas, because the little spy has to return to the Far North to help Santa with the Christmas preparations.

The scandinavian elf or The Elf on the Shelf® - Which tradition fits better?

Both traditions have their own charm, but the biggest difference lies in their message:

• The Elf on the Shelf® focuses on the well-behaved behaviour of children. It serves as a fun educational measure during the Advent season. Because the little ones know that the elf is constantly watching them.
• The Scandinavian elf, on the other hand, is designed to bring Christmas spirit and joy to families during the Advent season. It is intended to give families a special and unique time together before Christmas and does not necessarily fulfil an educational role - unless you want it to.

Similarities and differences at a glance

• Both bring magic and Christmas spirit to the Advent season
• Both have a daily surprise component
• The scandinavian elf is an invisible companion, The Elf on the Shelf® is a visible observer
• The scandinavian elf stands for creativity and imagination, The Elf on the Shelf® for education