At the end of each day, the Elf on the Shelf will set “itself” up in a scene or unique part ... and that the whole point is for the elf to return to Santa each night and report their findings).

Each morning, the elf chooses a new vantage point from which ... like Elf on the Shelf can foster family bonding. Adults need to hide the elf each night, which could end up feeling burdensome ...

Christy Heins, of North Aurora, Illinois, shared her exit strategy for getting out of the Elf on the Shelf routine in a hilarious Facebook post on Dec. 3 Dave Quinn is a Senior Editor for PEOPLE.