The Elf on the Shelf Creator Shares She Does Not 'Take it for Granted Ever' That The Elf Became A Part of Thousands of Families' Traditions (Exclusive)

NEED TO KNOW

When Chanda A. Bell was younger, her family had a tradition of setting out an elf who reports to Santa each night during the holiday

In 2005, she worked with her mom on bringing the story to life

Now, 20 years later, Bell talks to PEOPLE about how the book came to be and the Santaverse that has unfolded

For Chanda A. Bell, co-author of The Elf on the Shelf, Christmastime is all the time.

When Bell was younger, as the holidays approached, her parents would set out a toy Elf, who watched, listened and reported back to Santa Claus — at least, that's what Bell and her siblings were told as a way to keep them on their best behavior.

Years later, Bell worked with her mom, Carol Aebersold, to share the story with the world through books and toys.

“The tradition in its base