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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International Day of Light
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Collared aracari
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Nature’s art installation
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Banggai cardinalfish with sea anemone
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Trullo buildings in Alberobello, Apulia, Italy
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Interstellar clouds in the Lagoon Nebula
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Northern hawk owl
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Juvenile sunbittern displaying at nest, Ecuador
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World Wildlife Day
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A castle full of history
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Where is this ethereal mountain?
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Mount Hamilton, San Francisco Bay Area, California, United States
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The road less taken?
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Amphitheatre of El Jem, Tunisia
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Revealing natures turquoise gem
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Farewell, Ma’am
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A breathtaking cave when it’s cold
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Village of Oia in Santorini, Greece
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Shi Shi Beach, Olympic National Park, Washington, United States
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Kalalau Beach on the Nā Pali Coast, Hawaii, United States
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Olive orchard in the Serra de Tramuntana, Mallorca, Balearic Islands, Spain
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Hangin around
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Polar bear mother and cubs, Churchill, Manitoba, Canada
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Point Reyes National Seashore, California, USA
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Irohazaka Road in autumn, Nikko, Tochigi, Japan
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Festival fever
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Flock of Swaledale sheep in North Yorkshire, England
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Part science experiment, part public park
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Ribblehead Viaduct, North Yorkshire, England
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Third Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge connecting Laos and Thailand
Bing Wallpaper Gallery

