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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A herd of impalas, Londolozi Game Reserve, South Africa
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Cheese! We ll go somewhere where there s cheese!
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Southern lights for Antarctica Day
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A tribute to the ancestors
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Cecropia leaf and lobster claw petals in Mexico
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Crescent Lake near Dunhuang, China
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Mediterranean red sea stars
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Tolkien Reading Day
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Lion cubs, South Africa
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A bull, some flowers, and a stratovolcano
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Taughannock Falls State Park
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World Oceans Day
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Get on your bike and ride
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Avalanche Lake Trail at Adirondack High Peaks, New York
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Yarn bombing in the village of Gurnard, England
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Looking down on the Otter
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National Pumpkin Day
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Hoisting a flag for seafarers
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World Lizard Day
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St. Barbaras Cathedral, Kutná Hora, Czechia
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What, no escalator?
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A bridge comes full circle
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Mexican giant cardon cactus
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Giving Tuesday
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Hyalite Creek at Custer Gallatin National Forest, Montana
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National Napping Day
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Pont dArcole over the Seine river, Paris, France
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Wildlife Conservation Day
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Balloon Ascension Day
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Lake Tai s cherry trees in bloom
Bing Wallpaper Gallery

