The real Elf on the Shelf meets its animated counterpart in a holiday showdown.

Christy Heins, of North Aurora, Illinois, shared her exit strategy for getting out of the Elf on the Shelf routine in a hilarious Facebook post on Dec. 3 Dave Quinn is a Senior Editor for PEOPLE.

Kids aren't the only ones allowed to have fun this Christmas. While strategically placing the Elf on the Shelf has become an Olympic sport for moms over the past few years, there’s a new game in ...