Hilary Duff Shares the Unexpected Number of 'Elf on the Shelf' Elves Her Family Uses

The holiday season is full of magical moments—baking sugar cookies in the kitchen, throwing unforgettable parties with friends and family, picking out Christmas trees—whether they're real or artificial—and so much more. It's the greatest time of the year, after all.

"I just love the holidays," Hilary Duff tells Parade, admitting that her favorite day is Christmas Eve. "It's a little more toned down. We all kind of cook together. We have some friends over. The kids each get to open a present from Mom and Dad, and it's just a little bit more contained—and I really love that, being a Libra."

Besides a favorite day, there's also one holiday tradition, in particular, that Duff and her family (including husband Matthew Koma and kids Luca, 11, Banks, 5, and Mae, 2) hold especially dear: Elf on the Shelf. "We are fully invested," Duff shares. "It's just so fun and the kids love it." 

Related: 11 Elf on the Shelf Rules Every Parent Should Know

But if you think they only have one Scout Elf in their home, think again.

"Now, we have three elves," Duff reveals. "We have Jimmy, Jane and Jemma. [It's] a big commitment!"

Luckily, Duff and Koma are pretty well-prepared when it comes to switching up the positions of all three elves each day, explaining: "We've already started to stockpile ideas from Instagram of [what] other people have done."

"[Plus,] I have this friend on the East Coast who will send me pictures of Elf on a Shelf and I'm like logging that one, logging that one—thank you for saving Christmas for my kids!" she jokes. 

Related: 50 Best Elf on the Shelf Memes to Crack You Up This Holiday Season

Although most of the time, the Scout Elves don't impact the regular day-to-day too much, there's been at least one time when the placement of the elves was... less than ideal. "My husband stuck them to the toilet somehow, and I was like, 'Now we can't use that bathroom all day!'" Duff laughs. "And [the kids] are such sticklers, they're like, 'You can't touch him and you can't move 'em.' Great job, great job."

Elf on the Shelf is more than just fun entertainment, though. After all, the Scout Elves are there to report to Mr. Kris Kringle himself! So, if Jimmy, Jane and Jemma decide Duff has been good this year, what will she be asking for? "I haven't started making my list yet, but usually, it's something shiny," she reveals. "I work really hard all year long. I do and do and do for the family, so I usually want something that comes in a small box that's shiny." Hear that, Santa?

Reporting by Alexandra Hurtado 

Next up, check out more 'How I Holiday' stories from celebs, creators and experts as they share their cherished family traditions, festive dishes, stay-healthy tips and maybe even a Bad Santa moment or two.