“Gnome better holiday”

This years Christmas theme is fun and whimsical. It makes me smile. Finding the gnomes placed throughout the tree is like an eye spy holiday game. Your eyes move from gnome to gnome taking in the whole tree. It is even harder to pick your favorite gnome. They are all a little different and each have their own unique personalities.

I guess you would say that I started working on this tree three years ago, I bought my family a gnome for Christmas, Little did I know then that the collection would grow. My son gifted me a handsome gnome last year for Christmas and I have now quite a collection.

Why a gnome Christmas tree? Why not I say! No truthfully, Gnomes like eleves are associated with Christmas. Gnomes are a Scandinavian Mythological beings. Their stories have been passed down in folktale usually associated with the Christmas Season or Winter Solstice (December 21 2020). It is believed that due to the Scandinavian folktales linking gnomes to this time of year as the bearers of gifts that as Santa Claus’ story evolved it lead to Santa having elves to help him. I was so excited to put together this tree and it turned out beautiful.

More interesting information on gnomes...

Gnomes are all elves, but not all elves are gnomes. Gnomes are earth elves always living on or in earth. It all gets very muddy, due to the different European mythologies, however gnomes are always heavier, shorter, bearded, and wear a conical usually red hat. Nisse and Tomte also translate to gnome or elf, you will see the names used interchangeably.

In the Scandinavian countries, they traditionally they left out porridge during the winter solstice celebrations to thank the gnomes for all their work and protection. They would be rewarded by the gnome giving them gifts in return.

A gnome is known to bring good luck and protection to the house. They traditionally guarded the farmer’s land and family. Now in the modern day, it is said he lives in the house and secretly act as his guardian, protects the family and animals from evil and misfortune day and night!

While looking up gnomes I found this traditional Scandinavian song from the 1800’s.

The Gnome’s Christmas Night

(Tomtarnas julnatt, also known as Midnatt råder or Tipp tapp)

Midnight prevails, quiet it is quiet in the houses, quiet in the houses All sleep, the candles are extinguished, the candles are Behold, when the elves are come up out of the midst of the corners, Listen, spy, trip on your toes, on your toes

Tip tap, tip tap, tip tip tip tap Tip, tip tap How they snuggle, jump up among the barrels, up among the barrels Tessla, tassla: "Christmas food is good!", "Christmas food!"

Tip tap, tip tap, tip tip tip tap Tip, tip tap Porridge and ham, small apple piece, apple piece Think, how strange it tastes Santa Claus little! Little Santa! Tip tap, tip tap, tip tip tip tap Tip, tip tap Then back into the quiet corners, the quiet corners The Santa Claus is barely pawing on his toes, barely on his toes Tip tap, tip tap, tip tip tip tap Tip, tip tap

Source: Musixmatch Songwriters: Vilhelm Sefve-svensson