Elf on the Shelf are not actually alive. As with Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, and other fictional characters, Elf on the Shelf is a myth created to enthrall and entertain young children and help keep the youthful innocence alive.

Elf on the Shelf is a worldwide phenomenon. But for many kids and teens, the lines can blur between innocent holiday traditions and reality. So, are Elf on the Shelf real or fake? Elf on the Shelf is not real and requires parents or other guardians to move it each night.

Is Elf on the Shelf real? Because the Elf on the Shelf “moves” each night, belief can sometimes be suspended into thinking that it is real. And for all intents and purposes, the Elf on the Shelf is real. It’s a real doll, after all.