Three Things You Need To Know Before Looking For Garden Gnomes For Sale

To you, the garden gnome may be just another ornament to put on your yard. For others, it is a phenomenon in itself, with its own history and culture, not to mention a few controversies. Thus, if you are thinking of looking for garden gnomes for sale to add to your yard, you had better be sure you know what you are getting into.

Gnomish History

First, you need to know the history of the garden gnome. The garden gnome was invented in Germany in the 1800s. The earliest ones were handcrafted out of clay. From Germany, they soon spread out to the rest of Europe and the United Kingdom, and by the 1900s, they already have their presence in the United States.

German manufacturers had to put a stop to their production of garden gnomes during the Second World War in order to contribute to the German war efforts. However, they soon rebounded after the war, and by the 1960s, the garden gnome was again a regular fixture in homes. They became available not just in the traditional ceramic but also in other materials such as plastic.

Gnomes as Heirlooms and Charms

The popularity of the garden gnome has reached such levels in the 1960s that by then a lot of people have come to consider them tacky. The original ceramic ones, however, are still greatly treasured by families and are passed on as heirlooms. Many companies have picked up on this fact and started producing garden gnomes once more in the traditional method – handcrafted and using only clay.

Tacky as some people consider garden gnomes to be, some actually believe that garden gnomes are lucky charms to put in the garden. They are innocent little creatures anyhow, just loving their vegetables and helping out with the garden. It is a common belief that anyone who owns a garden gnome not only ends up with a well-tended garden but also a well-developed perspective on their life and future.

Gnomish Controversy

Not everyone, however, are keen on being owners of garden gnomes. Some factions actually see garden gnome ownership as a form of slavery, and they would do anything to stop it. Some parties actively campaign against garden gnome ownership, while some simply operate beyond the line of the law and steal garden gnomes from their owners to put them in the forest where they can be "free."

As you can see, garden gnomes are more than just lawn ornaments. They are larger than life, with their own history, culture and controversy. You had better become aware of these three things before you look for garden gnomes for sale.