Elf on the shelf trend likened to ‘poltergeist visits’ as parents feel social media pressure

Academic says participants feel compelled to put on ever more outlandish displays to impress peers

It may seem like harmless Christmas fun but an academic who studies paranormal investigations has compared the “elf on the shelf” phenomenon with the ever more ambitious shows that “victims” of poltergeists feel compelled to stage.

Dr Alice Vernon, of Aberystwyth University’s department of English and creative writing, said many parents felt under pressure to think up new poses and scenarios for their elves to win kudos on social media.