I have the Elf this year. I didn't think much of the story so I did hesitate to read that with the kids but I did in the end.
Our Elf, named Jasper. Was a gift from me on the 1st. We put the tree up the night before & I left the book & Elf sitting by the tree (took a photo) but in the morning the Elf was sitting up near the star in the tree.
The night before I had casually talked about what we thought Elf names would be while we put the tree up & DD landed on Jasper so when we had to name the elf that is what she wanted (no one else really got a say lol but thats ok, it suits him)

Our Elf is pretty cheeky. I have been keeping photos of what he gets up too on FB (https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?...9559848&type=1)
He has pulled the decorations off the tree & used them to go bowling. He also used up the toilet paper on the hallway door & just last night ate all the M&M's!

The story does say you are not to touch him as he will run out of his magic to go back to Santa, but Jasper has been in a few places in the morning that would not be safe to leave him all day so I return him to a spot on the shelf. BUT I found out that elves get their magic from giggles, more specifically giggles from tickles.

DD called me on the bowling set up but I said I was pretty annoyed that I had to put them all back on & she bought that. Even my 10 yr old hasn't questioned whats going on. Which is good because a week before Jasper arrived he was wanting to know the truth behind Santa & while we were prepared to answer his questions honestly. He hasn't brought it up again.