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 favourite 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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St. Gregory Church in Ani Ruins, Kars, Türkiye
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Kirkilai lakes, Biržai Regional Park, Lithuania
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Butterfly Beach in Canacona, South Goa
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The Matterhorn reflected in Lake Stellisee at sunrise, Zermatt, Switzerland
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Why is this cliffside ablaze?
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Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia
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Easter
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Rethymno, Crete, Greece
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Creating a better world
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Cherry blossoms in Shanghai, China
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A view that’s out of this world
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Chital, Bandhavgarh National Park, Madhya Pradesh
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The Monastery of Roussanou, Greece
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Republic Day
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Bungle beehives
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Mid-Autumn Festival
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Pacific Rim Whale Festival
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A kiss and a sigh
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Sandstone formations in the badlands near Caineville, Utah, United States
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Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee, USA
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A time-worn medieval marvel
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Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, California, USA
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Keep practicing, little guy
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Vernazza, Cinque Terre, Liguria, Italy
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Huddled and hunting
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Your TEA comes from here!
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Rabindra Jayanti
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Everglades National Park, Florida, USA
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The Elbphilharmonie concert hall in Hamburg, Germany
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The citadel in Bonifacio, Southern Corsica, France
Bing Wallpaper Gallery

