Amazingly we have 2 Scandinavian Gnomes, they appeared on our doorstep one day!! Yesterday we had to do some extra essential shopping, our milk had gone off although it was within its date. We did not know why but we haven’t cooked porridge recently. Maybe this was a clue? Read on and find out….

Centuries ago, Scandinavian people believed that elves were house gnomes who guarded their homes against evil. If you were good, the elves were good to you, but if you were bad, the mischievous elves would play tricks on you. Some of the tricks they enjoyed playing were: giving you nightmares by sitting on your head while you were dreaming, tangling your hair as you slept, making your milk turn sour, and stealing your sausages.

Folks believed that if they left a bowl of porridge on the doorstep at night, the elves would be happy and not subject them to their ornery antics.

Even after all these years, the gnomes continue to be a popular, cheerful addition to any home in Scandinavia, during the holidays and beyond.

PS we named them Tomte and Nisse. Tomte is a Swedish Gnome, Nisse is Norwegian. We love them.