And ever since 2012, there’s been an Elf on the Shelf balloon at the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Bell and Pitts say they are humbled by the overwhelming success of The Elf on the Shelf.

We asked for Elf on a Shelf and Mensch on a Bench photos, and you came through. Here are 20 photos sent in by MLive readers of some weird, wacky and clever situations they've put them in.

The Elf on the Shelf’s face was burnt to a crisp after the husband rested it on a lightbulb. TikTok / @maddieeeee311 “At least it didn’t start a fire,” Maddie wrote.

Elf on the Shelf, is based on a 2005 children's picture book of the same name, written by American authors Carol V. Aebersold and Bell Chanda - but the trend has spread across the globe.

Elf on the Shelf "scout elves" are as notorious for keeping kids in line during the holiday season as they are for their nightly antics. But what do experts say about whether or not it's a good ...

A Nevada mom of four has gone viral for the unusual position her husband put their Elf on the Shelf in. The TikTok, set to Eminem's "Without Me," shows the elf soaking in a bubbly sink with three ...

Elf on the Shelf was invented by Carol Aebersold and her daughter Chanda Bell, who published "The Elf on the Shelf: A Christmas Tradition" in 2005.

The Elf on the Shelf hit retail shelves nearly 17 years ago — becoming especially popular online within the last few years. MOM MODIFIES ‘ELF ON THE SHELF’ DOLL WITH FUNCTIONAL WHEELCHAIR.

Mindy Carney of St. Louis, told Fox News that elf antics began for her family in 2016 when an elf named Cutie Pie "appeared" on her shelf – followed by two more of Santa’s helpers, Hot Dog and ...

Elf on the Shelf is based on the book written by Carol Aebersold and her daughter Chanda Bell. As the story goes, cute 10-inch tall elves, called Scout Elves, ...

Elf on the Shelf, the storybook turned toy franchise, has become a Christmastime tradition for many families. Here's how the brand has evolved in the last 17 years.

If you have an Elf on the Shelf, your kids likely already know the no touching rule. But, accidents happen, so here's how to save your Elf on the Shelf's magic.