Cardboard Tube Gnomes for Christmas

Gnomes are small creatures that have physical characteristics similar to humans. Except that they live underground. And are really small. Like an elf. Gnomes can move through dirt underground the same way that you and I can move through air. Oh, and did I mention that they are well known for guarding underground mines and yes, even treasure!

Gnomes have been shared by storytellers since the 16th century and have been drawn in many ways, from elfin to that similar to fairies. It wasn’t until after World War II that the garden gnome came to be. In the 1960’s garden gnomes took on a look similar to that of Snow White’s Seven Dwarves.

The Christmas Gnome is known to be a helper to Santa. Because they are tiny and can easily hide, they are rarely seen by humans. They have been known to help Santa and his elves prepare for Christmas, deliver gifts and even report back on children’s progress throughout the year.

Note: some links below are affiliate links. That means if you happen to buy something, a small percentage of that sale goes back into this site, which enables me to continue to bring you free tutorials such as this one. So, thanks!

If you’re looking for a wonderful Christmas story about gnomes to read to your children, try A Gnome’s Christmas.

If you want something a bit more extensive, check out Gnomes: Thirtieth Anniversary Edition.

As always, a full printable supply list and instructions are at the end of this post.
For this project you will need the following supplies:

• Cardboard tubes
• Construction paper
• Pom poms
• White yarn
• Craft glue
• Scissors

Cut cardboard tubes into varying lengths to produce gnomes of different heights. Cover them with construction paper.

Roll white construction paper into a cone and secure with glue or tape. Trim the open end straight.

Wrap yarn around your four fingers 10-12 times. Cut a piece of yarn about 6 inches long and thread it through the center of the looped yarn. Tie in a knot then cut the loops.

Trim the beard to make the strands a bit more even then glue it to the top of the cardboard tube. Glue it so that the yarn knot is resting above the top of the tube. This will make it easier to get the hat over it. Glue the hat over the beard and glue a pom pom to the top of the beard where it meets the hat.

Let everything dry completely. When dry, the final step is to carefully bend the hats a little to give them some character. You can skip this step and stick with straight caps if you like!

I hope you enjoyed this project and it proves to be a great afternoon with your kids. Have fun!

More cardboard tube ideas for Christmas

• Cardboard Tube Angel
• Cardboard Tube Olaf
• Cardboard Tube Children & Snowmen
• Cardboard Tube Coiled Candy Cane
• 12 Cardboard Tube Christmas Crafts – Red Ted Art

Print Project

5 from 17 votes

Cardboard Tube Gnomes for Christmas

Author: Amanda Formaro

Supplies

• Cardboard tubes
• Construction paper
• Pom poms
• Yarn
• Craft glue
• Scissors

Instructions

• Cut cardboard tubes into varying lengths to produce gnomes of different heights. Cover them with construction paper.
• Roll white construction paper into a cone and secure with glue or tape. Trim the open end straight.
• Wrap yarn around your four fingers 10-12 times. Cut a piece of yarn about 6 inches long and thread it through the center of the looped yarn. Tie in a knot then cut the loops.
• Trim the beard to make the strands a bit more even then glue it to the top of the cardboard tube. Glue it so that the yarn knot is resting above the top of the tube. This will make it easier to get the hat over it. Glue the hat over the beard and glue a pom pom to the top of the beard where it meets the hat.
• Let everything dry completely. When dry, the final step is to carefully bend the hats a little to give them some character. You can skip this step and stick with straight caps if you like!