Elf on the shelf prank goes awry. TikToker reveals how holiday fun nearly led to fire

The naughty elf, also known as "elf on the shelf," is one of the most beloved pre-holiday toys. Its rise in popularity began with a children's book authored by American Carol Aebersold and her daughter. The novel narrates the life of a toy elf who stays on a shelf during the day and comes to life at night, providing Santa Claus with updates about the household.

This tale has sparked a pre-holiday tradition for children that is widely respected, primarily in the United States and Great Britain. However, the tradition is gradually becoming popular in Poland.

Starting from December 1st, parents change the elf's position within the house every night, and the children embark on a daily morning search for it. The children believe that the elf monitors their actions to determine if they have been well-behaved.

Adults also find amusement in the playful elf tradition. However, occasionally, their imagination leads to unexpected outcomes. A TikToker named Maddie shared a video where she urged internet users to avoid repeating the mistake her husband made.

"It's your husband's turn to be responsible for the naughty elf this time," Maddie wrote beneath the video, which has already amassed over 44 million views.

Maddie's husband attempted to play a prank by hiding the toy elf in a rather unexpected and hard-to-spot location— the chandelier. But the prank backfired terribly and could have resulted in an unfortunate incident.

The toy's head slid onto a light bulb and melted due to the heat generated by the light. "I'm just thankful there was no fire," the video's author commented. Hopefully, this alarming video will deter other parents from placing the toys near light sources.