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
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Maha Shivaratri
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International Bat Appreciation Day
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Roller coaster in Nagashima Spa Land, Mie Prefecture, Japan
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Sea otters, Prince William Sound, Alaska, United States
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The Monastery of Roussanou, Greece
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High above the Aegean Sea
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Alpine Marmot
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Beech trees and anemone wildflowers, Jutland, Denmark
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Spring is the time for billing
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Sway with the Amazonian canopy
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Almond trees in full bloom, California, USA
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Spine-cheeked anemonefish
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Staghorn coral in shallow ocean
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Delicate Arch, Arches National Park, Utah, United States
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Backwaters of Kerala, India
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Eurasian red squirrel in Northumberland, England
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Brooks Falls, Katmai National Park, Alaska
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Paro Tsechu Festival, Bhutan
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Eastbourne Pier, East Sussex, England
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A painters palette of natures hues
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One rare streak
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Basilica of Santa Maria della Salute, Venice, Italy
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Star Wars Day
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The Great Stupa at Sanchi, Madhya Pradesh
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Village of Oia in Santorini, Greece
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The buffet is open
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Demoiselle cranes, India
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Hawa Mahal, Jaipur, Rajasthan
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Anshun Bridge, Chengdu, China
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Red deer stag in De Hoge Veluwe National Park, Netherlands
Bing Wallpaper Gallery

