All About Gonks

 

We have all fallen in love with Gonks here at Heritage Crafts. Perhaps you will too!

You may have seen Gonk decorations pop up here and there in people’s homes and in shops. Gonks are short, they have their hats pulled right down with their little round noses sticking out. Boy Gonks have long white beards, and girl Gonks have two pigtails. But what exactly are they and where did they come from?

Gonks did not originate in the UK, and in fact they did not begin life as Christmas decorations. The reason why they look rather like gnomes is because, in a sense, they are! Gonks stem from Nordic and Scandinavian mythology and are meant to be something like a mix of a gnome and a hobgoblin. 

 

 

In the original folklore, these curious little creatures were said to take a liking to barns or houses in the colder seasons. If families treated them well, they were said to protect the family and give them good luck. If the family did not respect the mighty little Gonks, then they were said to play tricks on the family! Behind this story is a message on the importance of being welcoming and hospitable. We know how brilliant the Scandinavians are at making a home warm, welcoming and peaceful, so it should be of no surprise that this philosophy finds its way into their ancient folklore.

 

 

The first written reference to Gonks came in the 1600s. However, there is evidence that there may be records of them being referenced to as early as the 13th century. Over the years, the idea of welcoming the Gonk into the family home and treating it well was woven into winter tradition. It became common, for example, for families to leave out a bowl of porridge for the hungry little Gonk over the winter solstice. As Christmas became a more prominent celebration in the Nordic and Scandinavian countries, the traditions melded. This is where we get the Gonks today which are dressed in Christmassy costumes.

There are lots of different styles and colours of Gonks out there, and we are all full of ideas for lots more ‘Heritage Gonks’ which can be enjoyed throughout the year.

 

Kirsten Roche has designed lots of different Gonk kits for us, including a card for just about every occasion, from a special birthday to a passed driving test. They're quick and easy to stich, and loads of fun!

You can see our complete range of cross stitch gonk kits and greeting cards by clicking here.