Garden Gnome by PhenomeGNOME - click image to view more
Garden gnomes first originated in mid-19th century Germany, based on tales of gnomes that would help out in the gardens at night.
They were called Gartenzwerg, which literally translates to “garden dwarf.” Their popularity skyrocketed very quickly and continues today. Most of us are familiar with the Roaming Gnome mascot for the Travelocity website (whose adventures you can follow on Twitter), or the act of stealing gnomes and sending photographs of them around the world back to their owner. The movie Amélie featured this activity, which was spawned by the Parisian group Front for the Liberation of Garden Gnomes—le Front pour la Libération des Nains de Jardin (FLNJ).
Typically made of clay, but now produced in a variety of mediums, the standard bearded, pointy-hat gnome is the most sought-after. Other poses and types can be found to suit your fancy, though, from raunchy to presidential to zombie.
Gnome love stretches far and wide. Here are some other ways people have shown their affection – and in some cases, distrust – for the wee ones.
- Free the Gnomes — This American group follows the same cause as the original FLNJ here on the U.S. homefront.
- Garden Gnome Defense League — Not everyone thinks gnomes are cute and innocent. Author Chuck Sambuchino is more concerned with the day when gnomes will rise up and turn on their unsuspecting guardians. His book, How to Survive a Garden Gnome Attack, is now in the works to be a major motion picture produced by Robert Zemeckis, who was also responsible for Back to the Future.
- Garden Gnome Carnage — In this fantastic, 80s-style online video game, you are responsible for defending Christmas and chimney attacks. According to the site, “It’s pretty much impossible to describe this game. Here’s a quote from one player: ‘At first I was wtf. But then I was wtf.‘” It takes a minute or so to load on the screen, but is cheesily addictive. Hitting the pause button will show game hints and tips scrolling across the screen.
- World’s Largest Concrete Gnome — If you find yourself near Iowa State University, you can visit Reiman Gardens for this behemoth. He’s 15 feet tall and close to 3,500 pounds.
- Better Gnomes and Gardens — A blog dedicated to all things gnomish.
- Made with Love by Hannah — I’ve been a big fan of Hannah’s awesome screen-printed skirts for quite some time. If you’d prefer to wear your gnome pride, check out her schwarzwalder skirts.
What do you love (or hate) about gnomes?
Tina Jett is an artist, writer, photographer, and world-explorer. Her husband describes her with the phrase, “It’s like she lives in a coloring book.” See how that vision influences the work on her 
I love gnomes! My German grandmother used to send us a new gnome for our gaden every year. Since moving into my most recent home I’ve bought three different gnomes, though one is no longer with us.
I love them because they’re cheerful and fun and remind me of my grandma. I’m sure they look tacky to other people, but it’s my garden, my gnomes!
I think a collection of gnomes would be great, especially ones from a grandma in Germany!
Who knew there was so much to learn about gnomes.
Cynthia
http://coffeeonthepatio.com
http://www.cynthiasblog.com
Gnomes can be very tricky. Beware.
I love gnomes! Hence the name of my blog Crafty Little Gnome. I can’t remember the name of it right now but there is a famous short story that the gnome stealing in the movie Amelie is based on.
I was trying to find a source for it all, but it seems like there are multiple theories as to who started the travel prank. I think it’s an awesome idea, though. Someone on our street has a little dog statue in their front yard that my husband threatens to take on road trips.
Stay vigilant people, they always attack when you expect it least.
As a German I have to say: I really don’t like garden gnomes. Nowadays Germans tend to make fun of those Germans who actually put gnomes in their front garden. It is viewed as a sign for eternal backwardness (or how do you call it?). It is a little bit embarrassing that actually a lot of tourists from foreign countries think those little ugly gnomes are something totally normal in Germany. Like the cuckoo clock. (I really don’t know anyone who owns a cuckoo clock.)
Some years ago there was a big scandal, where an artists made garden gnomes that showed the Hitler greeting.
Greetings!
Ahhh! Thank you so much for writing this! I was waiting to see if someone from Germany might be anti-gnome. I don’t have an exact word coming to me that would be the same as the “eternal backwardness” you mention, but I think I know what you mean. I actually like that gnomes aren’t really used there; it shows how much people have certain ideas about other cultures. I’m sure there are some that think you all dress in lederhosen every day, too.
I also love that even cuckoo clocks aren’t really popular with locals, because I know that when you visit Germany, they are EVERYWHERE in gift shops. I can’t imagine what tourists to the U.S. think we have in our homes. Thanks so much for sharing that!
Ever since Amelie, gnomes have held a special place in my heart. I even have one (despite living in a third floor flat) who lives in my study.
Cxx
Lot of gnomes to be freed:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SeGO6tEmPyM
Free the gnomes, the birds, the dogs, the donkeys… Holy lawn ornaments.