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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Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve
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Jasper Dark Sky Festival
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It s National Hispanic Heritage Month
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American Wetlands Month
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Nazar amulets, Goreme National Park, Cappadocia, Turkey
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Hallstatt, Austria
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National Llama Day
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Park of the Monsters, Bomarzo, Italy
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Happy Thanksgiving!
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Santorini, Greece
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Spring blooms in the Netherlands
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Paro Tsechu Festival in Bhutan
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Celebrating Mexico in a Cultural Capital
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Birthplace of Roman emperors
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Buddha in the roots of a tree, Ayutthaya, Thailand
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A medieval celebration in the Mediterranean
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‘Ocian in view! O! The joy.’
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Kawachi Fuji Garden
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Here s looking Atchafalaya
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It s Slovenia s Independence and Unity Day
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Yellow-eyed penguins, Moeraki, New Zealand
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Lei Day in Hawaii
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Black History Month
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El Valle de la Luna, Chile
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It’s Art Deco Weekend in Miami
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Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah
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Crown Fountain by Jume Plensa at Millennium Park in Chicago
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League of Nations, 100 years later
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A field of English lavender
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Gone ‘lightseeing’ in Berlin
Bing Wallpaper Gallery

