Here a Gnome, There a Gnome…Everywhere a Gnome Gnome
BY PAT BURNS
It began last year when one of my best friends gave me a lovable, soft gnome as a Christmas gift. The rest of the year, the gnome sat on a shelf in my office, keeping me company as I worked and the best part … he never complained. A perfect work companion.
Acquiring this first gnome, placed an unintentional gnome awareness in my mind. Because of that, it came as no surprise I started noticing gnomes here, there, and everywhere. Old MacDonald may have had a farm but garden gnomes of all types and sizes are popping up in shopping catalogs, stores, and online playful, funny memes.
Gnomes are more than just a trend—they’re a fixture in gardens worldwide, dating back to the 1700s. But, what I didn’t know, is just how popular they’ve become. According to Google Trends, gnomes have increased by 525% since 2015.
Gnomes are said to be nature spirits that live underground. These tiny figures are rumored to interact with humans in either helpful or mischievous ways. Maybe I’ve gone bonkers. But the thought of having my living room filled with mischievous characters was reason enough for me to give them a try.
Gnomes are mostly known for outdoor use, but I started imaging having fun with them indoors. Then I find out, I’m not the only one. Pinterest has 641 indoor gnome ideas posted. Finding so many gnome options gave me the vision to try this hot trend for my living room décor and then my Christmas tablescape.
“But this year, with all the popularity of gnomes, I thought I’d try a gnome theme instead.”
Two Christmas garden gnomes were my first fun find and then I continued to find other ones to add to the scene. For use in a garden, the two garden gnomes I purchased came equipped with yard stakes to hold them upright. To use them indoors, I wrapped brown boxes with Christmas paper that was deep enough to hide the stakes. Placing a brick inside the box prevented the box from tipping over by the height (28” H) of the gnomes. Next, I found amusing lighted gnome Christmas trees and purchased two of them to sit on the coffee table. I surrounded them with holiday trees and candles.
Now, it was time to think about my dining room tablescape.
For I don’t know how many years, my Christmas table has featured a BELIEVE theme with lots of Santa bells and trees and candles. But this year, with all the popularity of gnomes, I thought I’d try a gnome theme instead.
Pottery Barn did have the cutest cloth gnome napkin rings that I knew would be festive as candle ornaments. I love them and I’m so happy I bought them.
With my grandkids coming over to bake cookies and wrap presents, we’re enjoying this “gnome sweet gnome” holiday time together and I’m wishing the same to all the GRAND readers.
CHRISTMAS COOKIE RECIPE
Gnome Cookie Cups
4-ingredient gnome cookies are as cute as they are delicious! A perfect dessert for your Christmas cookie exchange, a garden party or whenever you want a treat.
Ingredients
- 1 pkg Refrigerated Sugar Cookie Dough (I used the break apart kind)
- 24 oz White Frosting (about 2-3 tubes of prepared frosting)
- 24 Strawberries
- 24 Skittles (I used the pink ones from the Skittles Smoothie mix)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F and spray a mini muffin pan with cooking oil spray. You can also use mini cupcake liners if you have them.
- Place one cookie into each muffin cup. You don’t need to flatten or roll them.
- Bake cookies for 20 minutes and place pan on a wire rack to cool.
- While the cookies are still warm, take a small scoop to gently press the cookies into a cup shape.
- Cool completely before removing from the pan.
- Wash strawberries and cut out the crowns in a v shape.
- Take a fully cooled cookie cup and pipe frosting into the cup. You want to be a little generous here.
- Then push a strawberry on top of the icing and add a pink candy nose just under the strawberry.
- Take a toothpick to spread some of the icing to create the white beard.
Enjoy!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR – PAT BURNS
Pat Burns is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of the Orange County Children’s Book Festival; a Celebrity Journalist, Film Reporter, the author of Grandparents Rock®. Also, a happy grandmother of four.
Read more from Pat here