The gnomes made me do it

My wife asked me to go with her to a craft store to look at some Christmas decorations. For a lot of guys, this could’ve been torture. I try to take a longer view. My wife gets to shop and get decorating ideas, while I get to spend some time chit-chatting with her and get lunch or dinner out of the deal. (Truth be told, I find that I get a ton of blogging ideas when I’m shopping with her. I can’t explain it. Who knew that was the trick to breaking writer’s block?)

Of course, a few minutes in our trip, we had a disagreement. She loves the little gnome characters that seem to be popping up everywhere. To her way of thinking, you can never have enough gnomes. She must think she’s “rollin’ with her gnomies.” Meanwhile, I think they’re silly at best, ugly at their worst.

Folklore on gnomes traces back to the late 18th and 19th centuries, when they were believed to be spirits responsible for the care and prosperity of a farm or family. They were tasked with various chores around the home, and might act out when the humans didn’t cater to their gnome needs. They were were thought to possess magical powers to protect or punish people and reward them with happiness and treasure.

Gnomes in recent years have become quite popular, especially during Christmas, and gnome decor seems to pop everywhere on ornaments to pajamas to outside decorations. The gnomes I’ve seen have pointed hats, long white beards and simple boots and floor-length dresses with aprons. You can never seem to see their eyes. In addition, they always seem to have sayings like “there’s gnome place like home” or “welcome gnome” or even “gnome, sweet gnome.”

My wife thinks they’re cute. At the risk of throwing away my pot of gold or even having the little buggers play tricks on me at night, ala The Elf on the Shelf, I think they’re creepy little guys and have little to do with Christmas.

Guess who won the debate in our house? It wasn’t me. We got Fa, La, and La and the family pajamas pictured above, and, of course, and we’ve since added a few more to the house. I’ve become overrun by gnomes.

Who’s with me in thinking they’re creepy?

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59 thoughts on “The gnomes made me do it”

  3. I’m with you — one of my least favorite holiday decorations…but that may not have been your point. When I read “rollin’ with her gnomies” I had a moment. Stopped in my tracks with giggles. Darn you, Brian. I barely finished reading your post. Giggles got me. 🤣

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  4. I had fun with elf on the shelf for a few years. But that’s the only elf I have ever shown interest in. I don’t have them now. (Had two.) They went a few years ago.
    But those elfs as pictured here on your blog. I just don’t know how to take those.

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  5. I won’t say that I abhor the gnomes (covering my butt just in case) but I certainly have no desire to have gnomes as holiday decorations – heck, as decor of any kind or for any reason. It’s been a holiday fad for the last couple of years, and one can always hope that what is ‘in’ will eventually be what is ‘out’!

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  6. Sorry I have to side with your wife on this one, though I will admit that they could be cuter. I would like to see their eyes. LOL! But there is something about them that is endearing.

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  7. I had not heard the history of gnomes, so thanks for sharing! I’m also creeped out by the gnomes. I attended a recent holiday party where there was an auction and the gnome cookie jar was the most sought-after item. I just shook my head. I will admit, I sometimes see hilarious garden gnomes (eyes visible) and I like those… would never own one myself, but they make me chuckle.

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  8. I’m with ya! But a lot of people like them. Maybe that’s my issue- just another distraction from the babe in the manger. But good on you for seeing the wider view of time spent with your wife.

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      1. Oh I didn’t mean to insinuate that your focus was off- just that “in general” there are more distractions every year. I thought it was ironic when I was in a “christmasy” store, and they were playing carols that said “Emmanuel”, “Mary”, “Bethlehem” and such true Christmas story things, but their shelves were filled with Santa’s, elves, grinches, gnomes, reindeer, and such. At least the music was right on! 😁

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      1. Hahaha! Smart man.
        You know, there are people who hate masks and clowns (my late husband loathed them) and other who think they are the coolest ever (his best friend).
        We like what we like and don’t what we don’t and hopefully our significant other doesn’t torment us overly with the thing we don’t love… at least not for the whole year 😉

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      3. Yes, he was. And I would not have tormented him with clowns 😉
        And I bet you your wife is doing just that – of course, if you were scared of them, I like to think she wouldn’t!!!

        Liked by 1 person

  11. Brian, Mrs. Chess and I have both commented its seems to be the “Year Of The Gnome” this season. We see Christmas-related gnomes everywhere and while we’re certainly not adverse to them, they are not among our desired display subjects. That being said, if someone gifts us one we’d provide it a good gnome home.

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  12. I think they’re kind of creepy, but I enjoyed the folklore you shared about gnomes. I had no idea. The only time I’ve encountered a gnome was when the kids were young reading R.L. Stine and there was a book about lawn gnomes.

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  16. Omg this is so funny. Did I think gnomes were “cute” before becoming leg-less and integrated into Christmas decor? Not really to be honest. However, now that they look like Santa but without legs I think they’re so adorable for some reason. Whoever thought of the idea to market gnomes with Christmas decor absolutely wins.

    Liked by 1 person

  20. It’s weird how I feel they are creepy and cute at the same time.

    It’s good that you go out for shopping with her…a little time from your desk can be amazingly refreshing and apparently a cure to writers block

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