The complete gonk guide

01 What Is a Gonk? A gonk is a soft, bearded figure with a long hat pulled down over its eyes and a round nose peeping out. Here is where they come from, what… 02 Christmas Gonks: The Complete Guide The gonk you know best is the Christmas gonk. Here is the tradition behind it, the styles and colours to look for, when they arrive in UK… 03 Halloween Gonks: Spooky Styles and How to Choose Gonks are no longer just for Christmas. Here are the Halloween and autumn designs to look for, when they reach UK shops, how to display… 04 Gonks for Every Season: A Year of Gonks Gonks now have outfits for almost every occasion. Here is a month-by-month guide to seasonal gonks in the UK, plus ideas for birthdays… 05 Where to Buy Gonks in the UK Gonks are sold almost everywhere in season, but not every shop suits every buyer. Here is how the main places to buy gonks in the UK… 06 Are Gonks Safe for Children? A Parent's Guide Many gonks are sold as decorations rather than toys, and that difference matters for young children. Here is how to tell them apart, what… 07 Types of Gonk: Every Style Explained Sitting or standing? Dangly legs or a weighted base? Here is every type of gonk you will find in UK shops, what each is good for and what… 08 Gonk Gift Ideas for Every Budget Gonks make cheerful presents for almost anyone. Here are gift ideas sorted by budget and by who they are for, from pocket-money stocking… 09 Easter Gonks: Spring Gonks, Bunnies and Eggs Easter gonks are now one of the biggest ranges after Christmas. Here are the designs to look for, when they arrive in UK shops, and how to… 10 Gonk vs Gnome vs Tomte vs Nisse: What's the Difference? Gonk, gnome, tomte, nisse: are they all the same thing? Not quite. Here is how they differ, where each name comes from, and why the British… 11 The History of Gonks: From Nordic Folklore to 1960s Toys Today's gonks are the meeting of two very different stories: a Scandinavian farm spirit and a furry 1960s British toy. Here is how they… 12 Collecting Gonks: A Beginner's Guide One gonk soon becomes a gang. Here is how to build a collection you love, from choosing a theme to finding limited editions, handmade gonks… 13 How to Make a Gonk: An Easy Sock Gonk You can make a gonk from an old sock in under an hour, with little or no sewing. Here is the full materials list, the steps, and ideas for… 14 Decorating With Gonks: Display Ideas for Every Room A gonk on its own is cute; a well-placed gang is a display. Here are ideas for mantelpieces, trees, tables, windows and porches, plus… 15 How to Clean and Store Gonks Gonks spend most of the year in a box, and that is when they get squashed, damp or dusty. Here is how to clean them, pack them and bring… 16 Gonk Glossary: Terms From A to Z Tomte, nisse, julenisse, Wichtel, UKCA: the words you will meet when reading about or shopping for gonks, explained in plain English.