They"ve got long beards, red hats, and a knack for stealing a tad bit of Santa"s thunder every Christmas. Meet the gnome—known as "tomte" in Sweden and "nisse" in Norway—whose traditions vary across regions. Rooted in Scandinavian folklore, these tiny guardians watch over homes and farms, keeping families safe through long, dark winters. But there"s a catch: treat them kindly, or they may play tricks. A warm bowl of porridge on Christmas Eve is their favorite reward. Said to bring luck and laughter, they might even befriend your garden gnomes, since they often resemble them.
Handmade gnomes at a Christmas market
Today in History
More Desktop Wallpapers:
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Nazca boobies, Wolf Island, Galápagos Islands, Ecuador
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Sligachan Old Bridge, Isle of Skye, Scotland
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International Mountain Day
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Necropolis of Dargavs
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International Whale Shark Day
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How do ladybugs winter?
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Siblings Day
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Gdańsk on the banks of the Motława, Poland
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World Migratory Bird Day
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Sea fireflies at the seashore
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International Day for Biodiversity
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Daintree Rainforest and Noah Beach, Queensland, Australia
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Observing World Braille Day in Bavaria
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Pumpkin patch
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Big sky at Big Bend
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Here we mark the price of freedom
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Turning darkness into light
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The owl that loved football
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A visit to Limerick on Limerick Day
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The borrowed days are here
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National Public Lands Day
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International Day for Biological Diversity
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Art and soul
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Death Valley National Parks Anniversary
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Fall color sweeps across the West
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World Lizard Day
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Koala in the Great Otway National Park, Australia
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Discovery Day in Yukon, Canada
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It s Coffee Day
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Exploring the Pearl of the Atlantic
Bing Wallpaper Gallery

