Mum creates Elf for Christmas toy that encourages good behaviour

This is definitely one for our Christmas lists!

With Christmas getting closer, some parents will already be looking for the best toys to give to their children this December.

Even though we all love seeing the look on a child's face when they get the perfect present, there's always a worry that the festive season encourages children to be a little bit too greedy when writing their Christmas lists.

But now a 34 year-old mum from Durham has created a toy that helps reward good behaviour in children during Christmas time.

Sarah Greenwell was sat at her kitchen table during her maternity leave when she came up with the idea for Elf for Christmas - an elf that stays with families over the festive period to make sure children will definitely end up on the nice list.

Image: Elf For Christmas

As well as a cute little toy elf, the pack includes a letter from Santa, a reward chart, stickers, mini report cards and certificates for when the kids are particularly good, all designed to encourage positive behaviour throughout December.

Children can also get personalised emails from Santa himself, who has learnt about the child from the Christmas elf - well, if contact from the big man isn't enough to get them to behave, we don't know what is!

Mum-of-two Sarah has a background in marketing and says that she was inspired to create the kit after spending Christmas with her own children, three-year old-Holly, and Fin, one.

She told the Mail Online: 'I wanted to start the business for two reasons: I thought it would make an amazing tradition for my children and because I wanted to work around my children flexibly'.

The gift, which costs £24.99, is suitable for children aged two or over, and for families with up to two siblings.

Image: Elf For Christmas

After selling out last year, Elf for Christmas has since been picked up by major retailers and is set to become a must-have Christmas activity.

If you run out of anything in the pack, you can also by refill kits, as well as extra toys and an illustrated Christmas storybook.

What a lovely new Christmas tradition for families!

Family Writer

Charlotte Whistlecroft is a former Family writer at GoodTo. She obtained a BA in Theology and Theological Studies at Durham University, going on to study a masters at City University London in 2016. Since leaving GoodTo she has worked as a Social Video Researcher at Mail Online and is now Assistant Producer at BBC Sport.