very.co.uk Gonks — ornamental gnome-like figurines — have become one of the most sought-after Christmas decorations for 2022. From bedding to tree decorations, the gonk trend is showing no sign of slowing down. But what exactly are they? What is a gonk? According to Scandinavian folklore, gonks guard the home and protect people from misfortune. It’s thought that many Nordic households would leave out a bowl of porridge during the winter solstice so that gonks could feast and join in with the festivities. Over the years, these stories and traditions stayed with the locals, and gonks eventually came to be paired with Christmas. Commenting on the popularity of gonks, a…