I’m so pleased to share that our book club has voted and chosen to read The Fall of Númenor: And Other Tales from the Second Age of Middle-earth next! This is a brand new collection of all of Tolkien’s works pertaining to the Second Age of Middle-earth and I know it’s going to be so fun to journey through these tales together!
If you’re looking for fun ways to make Advent a bit more engaging this year but the thought of a rosy-cheeked elf looming over your kids threatening to tattle to Santa isn’t quite your thing, might I propose an alternative option: Elf on the Shelf, but make it Tolkien. That’s right kids, we’ve got Legolas coming to visit this holiday season!
Many of these items are inspired by Tolkien’s works specifically, while others are “Tolkien-adjacent” gifts for the Hobbit at Heart. I hope this guide will be inspiring as you shop for meaningful gifts for your loved ones this holiday season.
The Waldman letter is a letter written to Milton Waldman, an editor and advisor to publishers in London, who had expressed an interest in The Lord of the Rings and The Silmarillion after the widespread success of The Hobbit. For context, The Hobbit was published in 1937, this letter was written in 1951, and The Fellowship of the Ring would not be published until 1954. Unfortunately, The Silmarillion itself was not published until 1977 after Tolkien’s death.
Tolkien had hoped to publish The Lord of the Rings and The Silmarillion together and this letter reflects his belief that the two were interdependent. This letter is important because it pieces together all of Tolkien’s stories concerning Middle-earth, showing how they are all a part of the same “great tale”.
I’ve spent the majority of my pregnancy seeing my baby’s growth compared to fruits, toys, animals, household objects, etc. — most of which have extremely variable sizes or are altogether unhelpful — and it inspired me to put together a Tolkien-inspired version of my own.
For all of my Hobbit Party planning posts and resources, please visit our Hobbit Party page! This year was our eleventh annual celebration, so things have grown quite a bit over the years. I’m sharing these photos and resources in hopes that you may be inspired to host a Hobbit party of your own, however large or small! :)
Uncover Morgoth's Secret Identity… Fulfill Your Unbreakable Oaths… Maybe do a Little Kinslaying Along the Way?
It’s been a few years since I perfected my recipe for Lembas, waybread of the Elves. While some recipes remain more minimal, I felt anything elvish would have a very distinct floral or herbal flavor and so I chose to incorporate citrus and lavender into mine. My little hobbits have grown to love these and look forward to them every year, which has been such a joy to see…
This design is inspired by the Doors of Durin, located at the western entrance of Moria. Built in the Second Age, these doors serve as a reminder of the friendship which was one strong between Dwarves and Elves. Tolkien himself provided an illustrated of these doors, which can be found below.
The great tale of the voyage of Eärendil is a common thread which unites nearly all of Tolkien’s legendarium, so it felt appropriate to use as a starting point for designing party goods for a The Lord of the Rings or The Hobbit (or even The Silmarillion) inspired party. Below are four free party-planning resources that I’m happy to share: two editable Canva templates, and two free digital downloads. I hope you enjoy them!
