Garden gnomes are one of the most widely used and popular garden ornaments. Whether you have a few in your yard or dozens decorated with seasonal clothing and props, they add their own special charm to outdoor spaces. If you’ve ever wondered how to decorate your garden gnome and want to give your garden or yard a unique look, here are some great ideas for bringing some fun and flair to the old gnome.
1) A new hat
Perhaps the most common way to decorate a garden gnome is to give it a new hat. This can be accomplished with inexpensive felt hats from your local craft store or thrift shops. You can get them plain or fancy and you can even dye them if you like (for example using Rit dye). A simple white one can easily be turned into a Santa Claus hat with the addition of some cotton balls and red felt. For Easter, get creative and make bunny ears or a bow out of felt. The ideas are almost endless, so let your imagination go wild!
2) A wig
Another way to add flair to an old gnome is to give it a wig. This is especially fun for children as they can easily make their own felt or yarn wigs and then dress their garden friends up as pirates, wizards, fairies, princesses and more! You can also buy cheap wigs from a costume store.
3) Strange facial hair
In many ways maybe the funniest way to decorate a garden gnome. Instead of traditional hats, buy some cheap felt beards or mustaches in varying styles to adorn your old friends. You can look for them when you are buying hats or simply pick them up at the same store.
4) Glasses
Everybody loves people who wear glasses! Give your beloved gnomes something to see the world through by adding some stylish glasses. You can make them yourself with black construction paper or you can find cheap ones at your local thrift store for even more fun.
5) Ties
Ties are classic accessories that never go out of style and they also add a nice touch to any garden gnome’s wardrobe. They are easy to find, both at thrift stores and at craft stores. When you are choosing a tie for your garden gnome friend, keep in mind that some ties can be bulky and heavy.
6) Suspenders
Suspenders are another great way to add flair to an old shirt or pants look great as well as they come in all different colors and patterns. You can even buy patterned suspenders to match the outfit you are dressing your gnome in for extra fun!
7) A mustache
Some old garden gnomes looks incomplete without their big bushy beard, but what if they don’t have one? Perhaps they simply forgot to shave or maybe it was so hot last night that they melted it off with a hair dryer. In any case, you can make a fake mustache for your garden gnome as a temporary replacement until he grows his beard back!
8) Shaving cream
If you find yourself out of the ordinary materials needed to construct a new mustache or beard, just whip up some shaving cream and give your gnome a fresh new look. This can be an especially fun activity for kids who like to play in the shaving cream anyway.
9) A pipe
Who doesn’t love people who smoke pipes? Let your garden friend puff away by finding some nice pipe at your local thrift store or craft store (you can often find them along with ties and hats). Don’t forget to add a nice wooden gnome stand so he has a place to rest his pipe.
10) A wig or hat from an animal
One of the funniest things you can dress a garden gnome up in is something which originally came from an animal, whether it’s a tail, ears, nose or even feet! This is especially funny if the animal in question is that of another gnome’s, but you can also put cat or dog ears on your own. If you are having trouble finding an animal accessory, make one out of construction paper.
BONUS! A hat with a propeller
Another classic way to decorate a garden gnome is by sticking a propeller on his head. This can be done using any piece of cardboard, felt or paper you like and it will be sure to make your gnome fly off.
Garden gnomes are a staple of the backyard and they can be adorned in many different ways. Let your imagination run wild as you dress up these old friends with hats, mustaches, glasses, ties or suspenders to suit any occasion! You can also bring them into winter by adding some cotton balls for Santa Claus hair. No matter what you do to decorate your gnomes this year, we hope that they provide hours of fun for everyone who sees them out there in the garden.
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