The gnomes of Scandinavia are said to live under the ground, and they have a tendency not only help but also misbehave with those that interact them. Christmas gnomes are known as nisse in Norway- where it is believed these spirits bring gifts at Christmas time!
Much like the American Santa Claus, julenisse visits homes on Christmas Eve to give presents. Children leave a bowl of porridge out for him and in return he brings them gifts from his present sack!
What are those Christmas Gnomes called?
The Swedish gnome called Tomte is similar to Santa Claus, but he’s always watching you. He wears grey clothing and has an overall Father Christmas-like appearance with white beard!
The Tomte is famous in the world of Scandinavian folklore and shares a lot of the features of the traditional gnome which is why they sometimes get confused for each other. They are typically found on people’s homes and farms and are thought to keep these and the adults and children of the place safe.
The Tomten, often mistaken for a gnome because of their physical similarities including a red hat and long white beard, are unique creatures that have been featured in various pieces of literature over the years. One such example is Viktor Rydberg’s pre-1900s poem ‘Tomten’, which has become a popular read during Christmas time.
Are Gnomes still Popular for Christmas 2021?
Yes, gnomes are certainly still popular for 2021! This is especially true of Christmas Gonks which are from Scandinavia and what people see as the true Christmas gnomes. People love using gnomes as indoor ornaments around Christmas time as they share a lot of similarities to Santa Claus, such as a big red belly, similar color clothes, big, black boots and long beards and so they are a great addition to the various Christmas decorations that people have both inside and outside their house.
A particularly popular trend this year are light up gnomes. These gnomes contain lights inside, often around the eye area, and are a great way of adding some lighting to your displays. Lights are added to many different types of gnomes such as Nordic ones and others with the classic red hats, green jackets and black boots.
Why are They so Popular at Christmas?
This will be due to a number of factors; possible the main one being that they look very similar to Santa Claus which makes them perfectly placed to be given a Santa-style look. This means giving them a red outfit and the same kind of boots that they big man has every year too. They also have the beard and big belly, of course, which all adds up to them almost looking the same!