Gnomes for sale at a Christmas market in Pergine Valsugana, Italy
© Flavia Morlachetti/Moment/Getty Images
Gnomes for sale at a Christmas market in Pergine Valsugana, Italy
These charming holiday elves are on display at a Christmas market in Pergine Valsugana, a destination in northern Italy that embraces its legends of gnomes, dwarves, and elves who descend from the mountains bearing holiday treats. Italy isn’t the only region where mountain dwellers are incorporated into holiday traditions. In Iceland, it’s trolls who take the spotlight. Today’s date marks the first of the Yule Lad visits, an Icelandic tradition involving 13 trolls who deliver presents—or punishments—each night before Christmas Eve. Tonight’s visitation is from Sheep-Cote Clod, who harasses sheep. Other lads include Spoon-Licker, Door-Slammer, and Sausage-Swiper. Look out!
Related Images
Multicolored lobster buoys, Acadia National Park, Maine
An adult burrowing owl emerges from its burrow at sunset in Davis, California
Nine-spotted moth in Switzerland
Bàu Cá Cái mangrove forest in Quảng Ngãi province, Vietnam
Moraine Lake in Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada
Male southern double-collared sunbird on a rocket pincushion flower, Cape Town, South Africa
The Freedom Wall at the World War II Memorial in Washington, DC
Painted and leaded glass window panel on display at the Florence Nightingale Museum, London, England
Today on Bing
Wild poinsettia (aka Christmas flower)
Dec 12, 2024
Poinsettias
Dec 12, 2023
Poinsettia plants
Dec 12, 2022
Wicker fields in Cañamares, Spain
Dec 12, 2021
Poinsettia leaf close-up
Dec 12, 2020