Nordic Christmas gnome earrings, Tomte with striped hat

Nordic Christmas gnome (Tomte) earrings on white acrylic disc

The Nordic Christmas gnome (called Tomte in Sweden, Nisse in Norway and Denmark) has become a recurring fixture of contemporary Christmas decor across Europe and the US, with the long pointed striped hat and the nose-only face replacing the more conventional Santa scene. This pair takes that gnome literally: each earring is a round disc cut from pearl-white acrylic with subtle hammered texture, on which a Nordic gnome is printed in detail (tall pointed hat in horizontal red and green stripes, full long white beard hiding most of the face, just a small pink pointed nose visible at the centre). Around the gnome the scene includes a small green fir tree with a red star, a couple of white snowflakes, and at the gnome's feet a small bottle (a hint at the Tomte's traditional offering of porridge and beer). Topped by a small round black acrylic stud for pierced ears. 5.5 x 4 cm.

The Tomte register, not the Santa one

The Tomte sits in a different register than the standard Santa. The Tomte is small, mischievous, lives in the barn, accepts an annual bowl of porridge in exchange for protecting the farm, and is rarely shown with a sleigh or reindeer. In contemporary Christmas decor (Northern European and increasingly British and American), the Tomte has become a recognisable alternative to the Santa, often featured on cushions, mugs and ornaments in homewares ranges from H&M Home to Søstrene Grene. These earrings translate that decor trend directly into wearable form.

Styling: chunky knit, fair-isle, neutral palette, gift-ready

Three placements where the Nordic gnome design really delivers: with a chunky cream or oatmeal cable-knit jumper, where the gnome scene becomes a quiet folk-Christmas accent that pairs with Scandinavian-style home decor; under a fair-isle cardigan and a tartan scarf, where the printed scene reads alongside the knit pattern; as a small gift for a friend who collects Scandinavian Christmas decor (the gnome is the recurring motif of that aesthetic). Wider Christmas accessory ranges: Christmas and costume jewellery.

Materials and care

Disc: round laser-cut acrylic with a pearl-white finish and subtle hammered texture, gnome scene printed under a clear protective acrylic layer. Stud: small round black acrylic with stainless steel post kept low in nickel, for pierced ears. Weight: about 4 g per earring. Care: keep dry, store flat in a soft pouch separate from other jewellery, wipe with a dry microfibre cloth, avoid solvents.

Technical specifications