That camping trip your family still talks about? Science says it’s worth more than any toy under the tree.
Jenna Dewan has her Scout Elf to thank for making holiday shopping easy.
The 45-year-old “Step Up” actress and mom of three revealed that she has taken part in the Elf on the Shelf tradition for the past 12 years during an interview with People, published Dec. 12.
But it’s not just her kids that benefit from the fun — Dewan stands to benefit as well.
"We always write the [wishlist] on this elf shrinking paper [and] put it in the oven. It shrinks down and then the elves come and take it away to Santa and come back," she told People.
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Dewan shares two kids — son Callum, 5, and daughter Rhiannon, 1 — with her fiancé Steve Kazee and also has a 12-year-old daughter, Everly, with her ex-husband and former co-star Channing Tatum, according to People.
Her Elf on the Shelf hack is a clever way to peek at Christmas gift ideas for her kids without having to ask them directly.
"We try to fulfill [and] see what their main wishes are and within reason trying to give them that,” she added.
Parents can take part in this tradition with the Scout Elf Express Delivers Letters to Santa kit through the LumiStella Company — the company that founded the Elf on the Shelf tradition decades ago.
Each kit comes with a storybook to read with your child, three sheets of magic paper, a red and green marker, two pieces of parchment paper and Mrs. Claus’ Magic Press.
After your child writes their wishlist on the magic paper, just bake it for a few minutes and watch it shrink.
From there, Scout Elf delivers the list to Santa Claus and returns it the following day so it can be hung on the Christmas tree as an ornament.
Jenna Dewan is teaching her kids about the importance of giving back
When they aren’t looking for Scout Elf, Jenna Dewan’s kids are learning about the spirit of Christmas.
The dancer regularly takes part in charity events throughout the year (and holiday season) and told People about how her eldest child is already starting to follow in her footsteps.
READ MORE: What is a Christmas advent calendar — and how to make your own this holiday season
"Now that she's older, she really does understand it," she said. "We've kind of integrated a charitable lifestyle in with our house and with her in general with her school. But she definitely gets it now.”
“She understands why we're giving essentials, why these kids maybe wouldn't be able to experience that, why we're giving them something that they wouldn't experience in their regular life,” she added.
Dewan went on to say that it took some time for her daughter to “connect the dots,” but now she’s all-in.
"Every Christmas, we pick a few families and we go out and get their Christmas list from Baby2Baby and we shop for them,” she explained.
“And that's always our favorite thing because it'll say something, ... and she'll take time to pick something that she thinks would bring the most joy," she added.
Dewan said it’s her daughter’s “favorite thing to do” and it helps “bring perspective for kids.”
Family2Family is Baby2Baby’s “adopt-a-family” program that matches sponsors “with a child living in poverty to provide their holiday wishes and winter needs,” according to the organization.
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The Salvation Army USA does something similar — as do many local charities across the country.
