Yard Gnomes – A Larger Than Life Phenomenon

Whether you love it or not, you cannot deny that yard gnomes have become a phenomenon that is larger than life. It is not just another figurine that you see decorating someone else's garden or yard. It has its own history and origins, culture and cult following, not to mention heated controversies surrounding its name. Thus, before you get a garden gnome for your own yard, you have to make sure that you know exactly what you are getting into.

The History of Garden Gnomes

The first thing you need to understand about garden gnomes is how they came to be. Their history can be traced back to Germany in the 1800s, where they were handcrafted out of clay. From Germany, they found their way to the United Kingdom, and by the 1900s, they are in the United States.

The Germans, however, put a stop to the production of these gnome statues during the Second World War. That is because all manufacturing efforts in the country were concentrated towards powering the German war machinery. After the war, garden gnomes regained their popularity and came in various materials, including plastic.

Tacky… or Lucky?

One downside to the popularity of garden gnomes is that a lot of people have come to think of them as tacky, especially the cheap plastic ones. However, garden gnomes that were made traditionally, which are handcrafted and made of clay, were treated as heirlooms by many families. In fact, the old ways are making a comeback, with more and more companies starting to produce them in the traditional method.

Not everyone, of course, thinks that garden gnomes are tacky. A lot of people believe that they are bringers of good luck. They are fun little folk who love to eat their vegetables and who also desire to help and protect their owners. It is a common belief that people who own garden gnomes typically have well-tended gardens. It is also said that garden gnome owners typically possess a better perspective of their surroundings and their futures.

The Controversy

If there are people who love garden gnomes, it follows that there are people who hate them. These people believe that garden gnomes belong to the wild and owning one is a form of slavery. Some steal garden gnomes and put them in the forest. Others actively call for the total banning of garden gnomes.

So, if you are thinking of buying garden gnomes for your yard, you need to know what you are getting into before you actually purchase one. Yard gnomes have a long history to them and there is a culture built around them. Also, be prepared to protect them against those so-called liberators who will try to take them away from you.