Handmade gnomes at a Christmas market 16 Dec 2025

Handmade gnomes at a Christmas market

They"ve got long beards, red hats and a knack for stealing a tad 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.

© Veronika Seppanen/Shutterstock

palette

Today in History

Ludlow aglow
16 Dec 2023Guild houses of Grand-Place, Brussels, Belgium
16 Dec 2024Salzburg, Austria

More Desktop Wallpapers:

31 May 2024Gunnerside, Yorkshire Dales National Park, England
5 Oct 2025World Teachers Day
A stunning chamber for beautiful art
History in the making
27 Sep 2024Basilica of Santa Maria della Salute, Venice, Italy
3 Sep 2024Alpine Lakes Wilderness, Washington, USA
26 Jan 2024Big Garden Birdwatch
A mile-high island
6 Apr 2024Japan Castle Day
28 Sep 2025Town of Pienza in Tuscany, Italy
18 May 2025International Museum Day
14 Dec 2025Royal Pavilion, Brighton, England
A day of swing and celebration
Bryce Canyon hoodoos in winter
29 Jun 2024Pride in London
The grass looks greener on this side
4 Apr 2025National Cherry Blossom Festival, Washington, DC, United States
2 Sep 2024Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument, Maine, USA
13 Jun 2025Vila Franca Islet, São Miguel Island, Azores, Portugal
30 Aug 2025International Whale Shark Day
Green shoots
10 Nov 2025Black-tailed prairie dogs, Badlands National Park, South Dakota, USA
Want to hang about?
18 May 2024International Museum Day
12 Feb 2024Darwin Day
3 Jun 2025World Bicycle Day
Turquoise delight
13 Jul 2025International Rock Day
Perfect day for a ride
Sunset on Santorini