How our family a phenomenon
STAR POWER
THEN, one day, completely out of the blue, my sister called me up with news that would change all of our lives.
Hollywood star Jennifer Garner had been photographed walking down the streets of New York with a copy of Elf On The Shelf in her hand.
Honestly, it couldn’t have worked out any better if we’d tried – even the way she was holding it seemed to show the cover perfectly to the paparazzi.
I have no idea where she got a copy, and I’ve never had the chance to thank her, but if I ever meet her, believe me, I will.
The phones rang off the hook and we had a sudden surge in traffic to our site, as people wanted to know all about the book. Overnight, we went from a small family business to a phenomenon.
Fourteen years later, Elf On The Shelf has sold 12 million copies in the USA, UK, Australia, Ireland, New Zealand and Mexico.
We’ve written spin-off books, made a film, and this Christmas we release a second movie, Elf Pets: Santa’s St Bernard’s Save Christmas.
I still pinch myself when I think about how our family tradition’s become a worldwide tradition, and I always smile when I see pictures of the complicated set-ups parents have put their elves in.
It’s so nice that we’ve spread so much magic around the world.
Taylor and my daughter Kendyl, now 17 and 12, love being part of the Elf On The Shelf family.
Whenever any of their new friends find out what we do, there’s a new thrill of excitement.
Looking back, I believe that nothing happened by chance – there was a reason Mum was in a bad place and there was a reason I was able to work for my dad and be there for her.
You have to have faith these bad times are meant to be, and trust your instincts about what you’re supposed to be doing with your life.
Lots of people have good ideas, but if you don’t act on them, they’ll never be more than ideas. ■ As told to Rosie Hopegood.
■ Elf Pets: Santa’s St Bernards Save
Christmas is out now on DVD and digital download.