By Vivian DiSalvo (Class of 2026)
The Elf on the Shelf: A Christmas Tradition has become a beloved Christmas phenomenon in which Santa sends a Scout Elf to a family’s home to watch over their children. The children enjoy finding the elf in clever hiding spots, and parents enjoy the kids’ having a daily reminder to behave—or else Santa will leave coal!
This joyous family tradition was created by Carol Aebersold, who graduated from UT in 1970 with a degree in music education. Aebersold grew up with an elf of her own, named Fisbee, who watched over her family. Fisbee was adopted by Aebersold’s daughters, and now Fisbee’s legacy lives on in homes all over the world.
Carol Aebersold
The Elf on the Shelf: A Christmas Tradition©
Aebersold created the Elf of the Shelf with her two daughters, Chanda Bell and Christa Pitts. She had no idea it would become so popular: “It’s surreal and exciting. I always wanted to leave a legacy for my grandchildren—and now I have millions of them, and they are all enjoying the tradition and making memories for themselves.”
In addition to being a pioneer of Christmas cheer, Aebersold is an enthusiastic Tennessee Vol. She served on UT’s Alumni Board of Directors for four years and still serves on an advisory board for the Natalie L. Haslam College of Music.
Aebersold also established a UT scholarship. She and her late husband always wanted to help students experiencing financial need, so the Carol and Robert Aebersold Endowed Scholarship in Music was born.
“I could have used one when I was in school,” Aebersold says, “I know that there are worthy students who are appreciative of our endowed scholarship.”
Aebersold cherished her time at UT, which she calls “some of my happiest years,” and was honored with the UT Singers Alumni Award while visiting campus for Homecoming.
During her visit, she was stunned by all the growth on campus. Her son-in-law once asked, “Where did you hang out on campus?” and she told him, “You don’t understand. It’s not there anymore!
“When I went to the music building, it was the new music building,” she explained. “Then they tore that one down, and now there’s a new, new music building. And I said to him, ‘I was here before you were born, and nothing that we did is still here in the same way.’”
Aebersold is impressed and very glad for the way UT continues to grow and expand, just like the Elf on the Shelf—now a cherished holiday tradition shared by millions of families around the world.
