Question: what is the reason behind the elf on the shelf

title: Christmas elf
text: In Santa Claus : The Movie , the elves are a type of craft guild making traditional toys by hand and looking after Santa 's reindeer . The elves ' workshop is also featured regularly in films , such as in Elf ( 2003 ) , starring Will Ferrell . The 1932 Disney short film , Santa 's Workshop , features Santa Claus and his elves preparing for Christmas . A team of elves features prominently in the Rankin - Bass 1964 special Rudolph the Red - Nosed Reindeer . The Christmas Elves are featured in the 1998 TV movie Like Father , Like Santa . In the DreamWorks Animation film Rise of the Guardians , elves are very short beings who wear pointy hat - like clothes and assist Santa at the North Pole , but they do n't make the toys , the elves are only led to believe this , as yetis are actually responsible for making the toys in the film . Disney had the theme of Christmas elves for their 2009 short film , Prep & Landing , which tells the tale of an elite group of elves that make houses ready for Santa 's deliveries . It was the first holiday television special made by Walt Disney Animation Studios . The Christmas Elves were featured in Arthur Christmas .