Tomte, nisse, tomtenisse, or tonttu depending on which Scandinavian country you’re from, is a garden gnome-like spirit from Scandinavian folklore. It generally helps with your farm, and you give it oatmeal by leaving it on your doorsteps around winter solstice, and it brings you a gift in return. But it has a short temper and plays pranks on you or even kills livestock if you piss it off.
Santa clause kind of merged together with the tomte and became it’s own type of tomte, without the short temper.
Obviously Christmas is when you offer oatmeal to your local tomte and receive a gift, or else he kills your cow.
Local tomte?
Tomte, nisse, tomtenisse, or tonttu depending on which Scandinavian country you’re from, is a garden gnome-like spirit from Scandinavian folklore. It generally helps with your farm, and you give it oatmeal by leaving it on your doorsteps around winter solstice, and it brings you a gift in return. But it has a short temper and plays pranks on you or even kills livestock if you piss it off.
Santa clause kind of merged together with the tomte and became it’s own type of tomte, without the short temper.
Oh fun! I’m glad to know more