For many parents, this means staging a dramatic exit for the family elf. Started by Carol Aebersold and her daughter Chanda Bell back in 2005, Elf on the Shelf ... Type a letter from your elf ...

You might want to get creative and conclude this year's Elf on the Shelf in a special way. Leaving a goodbye letter from the elves can be a nice touch and a lovely way to round off the fun.