Help us make our Hobbit Day even more Hobbity!
September 2, 2024 4:20 PM Subscribe
My family celebrates Hobbit Day every September, and to celebrate the birthday of Bilbo and Frodo, we give our children a present. We need some help figuring out what to gift this year!
My family celebrates Hobbit Day every September, and to celebrate the birthday of Bilbo and Frodo, we give our children a present. We try to purchase gifts that match the spirit of the Tolkien books, and with this being our 4th year doing it, we're feeling like we're running out of gift ideas. Previous years, we have given them books, journals, writing implements that look like actual sticks, and Lord of the Rings items (we had things like a replica of Arwen's necklace, a music box that played the theme song, a compass, a treasure box, etc.). We aren't interested in things like teacups/tea, as we always serve lots of tea on Hobbit's Day, and we have lots of cute teacups and mugs. My kids range from ages 4-15. On the year we gave books, we did give my oldest son some obscure Tolkien titles (which he absolutely loved).
Some things we've considered for this year are slippers, cozy blankets, that kind of thing. But I feel like we could probably do better? We just need outside imagination to help us pull it together this year. We also have a bit of budget, and can't really afford to spend more than $20 per kiddo.
My family celebrates Hobbit Day every September, and to celebrate the birthday of Bilbo and Frodo, we give our children a present. We try to purchase gifts that match the spirit of the Tolkien books, and with this being our 4th year doing it, we're feeling like we're running out of gift ideas. Previous years, we have given them books, journals, writing implements that look like actual sticks, and Lord of the Rings items (we had things like a replica of Arwen's necklace, a music box that played the theme song, a compass, a treasure box, etc.). We aren't interested in things like teacups/tea, as we always serve lots of tea on Hobbit's Day, and we have lots of cute teacups and mugs. My kids range from ages 4-15. On the year we gave books, we did give my oldest son some obscure Tolkien titles (which he absolutely loved).
Some things we've considered for this year are slippers, cozy blankets, that kind of thing. But I feel like we could probably do better? We just need outside imagination to help us pull it together this year. We also have a bit of budget, and can't really afford to spend more than $20 per kiddo.
Maybe a hobbity experience? Cave tour? Pony ride? Giant spider encounter? Hmmm, this isn't seeming so promising, but maybe you know the lore well enough that can think of something better.....
posted by Ausamor at 4:47 PM on September 2 [2 favorites]
posted by Ausamor at 4:47 PM on September 2 [2 favorites]
Could the kids each get part of a gift in which all parts combine to make something delicious? For example: pie tin, fruit preserves, er, I actually don't know how to bake a pie.
posted by spamandkimchi at 4:51 PM on September 2 [1 favorite]
posted by spamandkimchi at 4:51 PM on September 2 [1 favorite]
Ooh, if you have a bit of yard or garden, maybe a stepping stone kit? Foot molding kit to make it even more hobbit-y?
Back to the group gift idea, get a secondhand boombox and get cds (soundtracks of course, but also just music they might like) for each kid.
posted by spamandkimchi at 4:58 PM on September 2 [3 favorites]
Back to the group gift idea, get a secondhand boombox and get cds (soundtracks of course, but also just music they might like) for each kid.
posted by spamandkimchi at 4:58 PM on September 2 [3 favorites]
How about a canvas satchel, perfect for packing supplies for a hike across the Shire? These are $24.
You could also get a pack of wax paper bags so they can safely pack all of the necessary snacks without getting the satchel dirty.
posted by metahawk at 4:59 PM on September 2 [2 favorites]
You could also get a pack of wax paper bags so they can safely pack all of the necessary snacks without getting the satchel dirty.
posted by metahawk at 4:59 PM on September 2 [2 favorites]
Gift baskets full of snacks! Could be tailored to each kid’s preferences or around a theme (like second breakfast, or provisions for a journey). If you have a World Market nearby they have a ton of fun things to choose from, and you could do homemade treats and fresh things to fill more space and stretch the budget. The gift baskets could be actual baskets, or they could be sacks or pouches that are made or purchased. Wrap things in pretty or hardy cloth, too.
posted by Mizu at 5:06 PM on September 2 [1 favorite]
posted by Mizu at 5:06 PM on September 2 [1 favorite]
This is more "make" than "buy", but...
When I was a kid I became fascinated by the RUNES on the dwarven map (and on the front cover of our copy of The Hobbit). I discovered that they were a real alphabet and found the complete transliteration (of one of the various historical versions) in the entry on 'runes' in the family dictionary. I learned the runes and used them to write "secret messages".
Would your kids enjoy each receiving an artfully-prepared Rune Decoder Sheet (you'll want to do some research of the actual version used by Tolkien; I'm not sure it corresponds exactly to any of the various Futharks) and spending some time writing out secret messages, passing them to each other, and then decoding them?
posted by heatherlogan at 5:12 PM on September 2 [5 favorites]
When I was a kid I became fascinated by the RUNES on the dwarven map (and on the front cover of our copy of The Hobbit). I discovered that they were a real alphabet and found the complete transliteration (of one of the various historical versions) in the entry on 'runes' in the family dictionary. I learned the runes and used them to write "secret messages".
Would your kids enjoy each receiving an artfully-prepared Rune Decoder Sheet (you'll want to do some research of the actual version used by Tolkien; I'm not sure it corresponds exactly to any of the various Futharks) and spending some time writing out secret messages, passing them to each other, and then decoding them?
posted by heatherlogan at 5:12 PM on September 2 [5 favorites]
You could also pick up several sheets of marbled faux-parchment paper and some fancy pens (gold and silver markers!), and spend some time together drawing maps!
posted by heatherlogan at 5:19 PM on September 2 [2 favorites]
posted by heatherlogan at 5:19 PM on September 2 [2 favorites]
Google “Hobbiton Tour NZ” (or similar search terms) - there seem to be some great video tours of Hobbiton in New Zealand (on YouTube, for example) where some of the LOTR filming was done - could be fun to watch together!
posted by The Patron Saint of Spices at 5:25 PM on September 2 [1 favorite]
posted by The Patron Saint of Spices at 5:25 PM on September 2 [1 favorite]
PS: Weta Workshop in Wellington New Zealand has an online store - small budget gift items include “trading pins” and keyrings etc, some of which are Hobbit-related.
posted by The Patron Saint of Spices at 5:43 PM on September 2 [1 favorite]
posted by The Patron Saint of Spices at 5:43 PM on September 2 [1 favorite]
A handkerchief.
A walking stick.
A Lord of the Rings Heat-Changing Mug. (There are a large number of these available from different vendors if you wanted to get each kid their own.)
I'm also reminded of the hobbit custom of mathoms, small trinkets and oddments that were gifted and regifted and circulated around the shire that way. And that on your birthday you gave presents to other people. I don't know if there's a way to include regifting of things you already own into your family custom, but that could be a nice touch.
posted by Winnie the Proust at 6:03 PM on September 2 [2 favorites]
A walking stick.
A Lord of the Rings Heat-Changing Mug. (There are a large number of these available from different vendors if you wanted to get each kid their own.)
I'm also reminded of the hobbit custom of mathoms, small trinkets and oddments that were gifted and regifted and circulated around the shire that way. And that on your birthday you gave presents to other people. I don't know if there's a way to include regifting of things you already own into your family custom, but that could be a nice touch.
posted by Winnie the Proust at 6:03 PM on September 2 [2 favorites]
Lego makes LOTR character sets.
There are also root view grow kits and mushroom grow kits. For all Hobbits share a love of things that grow.
posted by chrisulonic at 6:14 PM on September 2 [2 favorites]
There are also root view grow kits and mushroom grow kits. For all Hobbits share a love of things that grow.
posted by chrisulonic at 6:14 PM on September 2 [2 favorites]
LOTR Trivial Pursuit/Risk/Monopoly as a group gift? Craft materials to make mini hobbit holes for the garden?
posted by scyllary at 8:58 PM on September 2 [1 favorite]
posted by scyllary at 8:58 PM on September 2 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: You all are amazing! Thank you so much for giving me some fresh ideas! I love all of them, and would love to use all of them at some point!
posted by I_love_the_rain at 8:58 PM on September 2 [1 favorite]
posted by I_love_the_rain at 8:58 PM on September 2 [1 favorite]
Late to the party, but: Wooden puzzle boxes? I was thinking about how much I enjoyed having a small cash box when I was a kid. A place for little treasures that siblings and parents couldn't access. Mine was metal, but a wooden version feels pretty Hobbity.
For your older kids, you can get more complicated puzzle boxes such as a Cryptex. For the younger ones, just a simple box with a lock is probably enough. Could be thrifted to add authenticity. I'd keep a key for the very young kid(s), just in case they lose theirs.
posted by toucan at 6:55 AM on September 3 [1 favorite]
For your older kids, you can get more complicated puzzle boxes such as a Cryptex. For the younger ones, just a simple box with a lock is probably enough. Could be thrifted to add authenticity. I'd keep a key for the very young kid(s), just in case they lose theirs.
posted by toucan at 6:55 AM on September 3 [1 favorite]
$20/kid could be brunch (second breakfast!) somewhere tasty.
posted by teremala at 8:00 AM on September 3 [2 favorites]
posted by teremala at 8:00 AM on September 3 [2 favorites]
How about a small wooden box, like the one that Galadriel gave Sam? I couldn't find one with a carved runic G, but this one has a nice tree, and there are a gazillion other options out there.
posted by Winnie the Proust at 8:47 AM on September 3 [1 favorite]
posted by Winnie the Proust at 8:47 AM on September 3 [1 favorite]
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I do not have children
posted by deludingmyself at 4:27 PM on September 2 [9 favorites]