Edited by Maluniu, Teresa, Tryme2, Flickety and 7 othersPin ItArticle EditDiscussSeptember 22 is the birthday of the famous hobbits Bilbo and Frodo Baggins. In recognition of these endearing characters created by J.R.R. Tolkien, this date has come to be known as "Hobbit Day" so that fans of hobbits everywhere can pause and celebrate the delight that is a hobbit. So, if you're one of those very people who wants to take one day this year to honor the fine race of hobbits, here are some ideas to help you celebrate! Edit Steps1Plan a Long-Expected Party with fellow hobbit fans! This refers to the Chapter One of The Fellowship of the Ring. In the book, this party involves Bilbo Baggins' birthday, his departure and Gandalf farewelling Frodo Baggins. In your case, it is just a great excuse to have a party. Some of the things to set the scene might include:
Decorating with a pile of packages (to represent the wagon that is laden with packages in the story), as well as piles of presentsFireworks (or at least sparklers) - it's not likely you can recreate one in the image of a dragon but at least consider having a flag or a poster with a dragon on itLanterns for lighting would be reminiscent of the bookHave dancing, music, songs and games.2Decide where to hold the party. If you have a large tree in your backyard or in a nearby park, consider making it the "party tree". An outdoor hobbit party is probably more in keeping with the tradition of big hobbit events than trying to cram everyone indoors but obviously this will depend on where you live and the weather. The benefit of being outdoors is the juvenile hobbits can run around without feeling cooped up and all crumbs can be eaten by the creatures of the earth without the need to vacuum up!
If you decide to hold the party in a house, put up pictures or decorations with a hobbit theme. There are plenty of images that you can print out from online images to use in your private home environment and you can embellish these with computer photo programs if needed.3Make sure that your festivities include a good amount of food – either a large meal or various snack foods. Hobbits were known for their many well-stocked pantries, as was made known on the first page of The Hobbit. Food that might be perfect for a hobbit celebration includes (unsurprisingly, much of it seems like traditional English fare):
Mushrooms (these are favorite hobbit food and Farmer Maggot used to grow them and Frodo got caught trying to steal some)Wine (Bilbo and Frodo both inherited vineyards); beer is also popular with hobbitsHot soupCold meats, mince pies, pork pies, rabbit, fish and chips, rashers of baconBlackberry tarts and other blackberry foods (including uncooked blackberries)Freshly baked bread and lots of butterPickles are often mentionedRipe cheeseFood made from vegetables such as corn, turnips, carrots, potatoes and onionsFood made with apples, such as apple tart (with raspberry jam)Honey (foods made with honey such as honey cakes would be nice)Scones (known as "biscuits" in North America), fruit pies, and cakes, including seed cakesPinwheel sandwiches (just because these are small and cute and the hobbits may have approved provided they weren't too fussy)Tea and coffee.Keep seasonings and sauces to a minimum; apparently hobbits didn't bother with them that much.4Choose a passage or more about hobbits from one of Tolkien's books to read aloud together. This is important for both fans and non-initiates alike. The fans will know the passages and the non-initiate will be introduced to the way of hobbits through listening. Ask someone with an excellent, projecting voice who enjoys reading in public to read out the passages so it's enjoyable for everyone.
5Play games. Hobbits loved games, so a party celebrating hobbits needs to have plenty of these going! You could start by putting a hobbit name on each guest's back and making people figure out who they are just by asking questions of other guests (no peeking). Other games to consider include (and each of these can be made suitable for any age with an imagination):
Backyard party games like quoits, horseshoe tossing, beanbag throwing, sack-jumping, egg and spoon race, three-legged race, coconut shy, etc.Indoor games like musical chairs, pass-the-parcel, the chocolate game, pin-the-tail on the donkey, statues, Chinese whispers, etc.Play rhyming games and making up haiku, poems, limericks, etc.Play games that involve riddles, charades, sayings or proverbs.6Have a special cake. As well as all the other scrumptious food,don't forget that Hobbit Day is also a birthday party for Bilbo and Frodo. Make or purchase a special birthday cake with two candles (one for each hobbit). For fun, you might toast the Bagginses and make little speeches in their honor.
7Give away lovely things to everyone who comes to the party. Small but creative gifts (such as toys, jewelery, trinkets, small musical instruments, puzzles, etc.) should be given to the guests. This represents one of the peaceful pursuits of hobbits (gift-giving) and is the spirit of sharing and creating community, both valued by hobbits.
See How to make a birthday goodie bag for adults, How to put together a goodie bag, How to sew a cloth gift bag and How to make gift bags for more ideas.8If you do not think your friends would be very interested in a Hobbit Day celebration, celebrate the day in your own way. Walk around barefoot for the day, eat about six meals (hobbits are always hungry), or make a Hobbit Day t-shirt to spread awareness. Consider making flyers to share with friends and acquaintances to help them understand the importance of this day.
Edit TipsTolkien loved legends, myths, stories, fairy tales, proverbs, sayings, songs, folk tales, etc. Some of your day could be devoted to reading such works. Books of such works also make excellent prizes for games.Encourage guests to dress up as hobbits.Be considerate of the hobbit hole you are entering. If having the party indoors, ask that everyone take their shoes off at the door! (A little sign will help you.) Bare-foot is the way of the hobbit.Note that corn and potatoes may have meant something different given that Middle Earth wasn't set in North America but then again, Tolkien probably meant to include these, especially so the hobbits could enjoy fish and chips.[1]
Edit Things You'll NeedFoodDecorationsLanternsFireworksGoodie bagsEquipment and prizes for games
Edit Related wikiHowsHow to Love Lord of the RingsHow to Become a Lord of the Rings FanHow to Play Lord of the Rings OnlineHow to Make a "They're Taking the Hobbits to Isengard" VideoHow to Make Cute Tea Party Invitations
Edit Sources and Citations↑ http://strangehorizons.com/2008/20080211/green-a.shtmlArticle Info Featured Article
Categories: Featured Articles | Holidays and Traditions
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Decorating with a pile of packages (to represent the wagon that is laden with packages in the story), as well as piles of presentsFireworks (or at least sparklers) - it's not likely you can recreate one in the image of a dragon but at least consider having a flag or a poster with a dragon on itLanterns for lighting would be reminiscent of the bookHave dancing, music, songs and games.2Decide where to hold the party. If you have a large tree in your backyard or in a nearby park, consider making it the "party tree". An outdoor hobbit party is probably more in keeping with the tradition of big hobbit events than trying to cram everyone indoors but obviously this will depend on where you live and the weather. The benefit of being outdoors is the juvenile hobbits can run around without feeling cooped up and all crumbs can be eaten by the creatures of the earth without the need to vacuum up!If you decide to hold the party in a house, put up pictures or decorations with a hobbit theme. There are plenty of images that you can print out from online images to use in your private home environment and you can embellish these with computer photo programs if needed.3Make sure that your festivities include a good amount of food – either a large meal or various snack foods. Hobbits were known for their many well-stocked pantries, as was made known on the first page of The Hobbit. Food that might be perfect for a hobbit celebration includes (unsurprisingly, much of it seems like traditional English fare):Mushrooms (these are favorite hobbit food and Farmer Maggot used to grow them and Frodo got caught trying to steal some)Wine (Bilbo and Frodo both inherited vineyards); beer is also popular with hobbitsHot soupCold meats, mince pies, pork pies, rabbit, fish and chips, rashers of baconBlackberry tarts and other blackberry foods (including uncooked blackberries)Freshly baked bread and lots of butterPickles are often mentionedRipe cheeseFood made from vegetables such as corn, turnips, carrots, potatoes and onionsFood made with apples, such as apple tart (with raspberry jam)Honey (foods made with honey such as honey cakes would be nice)Scones (known as "biscuits" in North America), fruit pies, and cakes, including seed cakesPinwheel sandwiches (just because these are small and cute and the hobbits may have approved provided they weren't too fussy)Tea and coffee.Keep seasonings and sauces to a minimum; apparently hobbits didn't bother with them that much.4Choose a passage or more about hobbits from one of Tolkien's books to read aloud together. This is important for both fans and non-initiates alike. The fans will know the passages and the non-initiate will be introduced to the way of hobbits through listening. Ask someone with an excellent, projecting voice who enjoys reading in public to read out the passages so it's enjoyable for everyone.5Play games. Hobbits loved games, so a party celebrating hobbits needs to have plenty of these going! You could start by putting a hobbit name on each guest's back and making people figure out who they are just by asking questions of other guests (no peeking). Other games to consider include (and each of these can be made suitable for any age with an imagination):Backyard party games like quoits, horseshoe tossing, beanbag throwing, sack-jumping, egg and spoon race, three-legged race, coconut shy, etc.Indoor games like musical chairs, pass-the-parcel, the chocolate game, pin-the-tail on the donkey, statues, Chinese whispers, etc.Play rhyming games and making up haiku, poems, limericks, etc.Play games that involve riddles, charades, sayings or proverbs.6Have a special cake. As well as all the other scrumptious food,don't forget that Hobbit Day is also a birthday party for Bilbo and Frodo. Make or purchase a special birthday cake with two candles (one for each hobbit). For fun, you might toast the Bagginses and make little speeches in their honor.7Give away lovely things to everyone who comes to the party. Small but creative gifts (such as toys, jewelery, trinkets, small musical instruments, puzzles, etc.) should be given to the guests. This represents one of the peaceful pursuits of hobbits (gift-giving) and is the spirit of sharing and creating community, both valued by hobbits.See How to make a birthday goodie bag for adults, How to put together a goodie bag, How to sew a cloth gift bag and How to make gift bags for more ideas.8If you do not think your friends would be very interested in a Hobbit Day celebration, celebrate the day in your own way. Walk around barefoot for the day, eat about six meals (hobbits are always hungry), or make a Hobbit Day t-shirt to spread awareness. Consider making flyers to share with friends and acquaintances to help them understand the importance of this day.Edit TipsTolkien loved legends, myths, stories, fairy tales, proverbs, sayings, songs, folk tales, etc. Some of your day could be devoted to reading such works. Books of such works also make excellent prizes for games.Encourage guests to dress up as hobbits.Be considerate of the hobbit hole you are entering. If having the party indoors, ask that everyone take their shoes off at the door! (A little sign will help you.) Bare-foot is the way of the hobbit.Note that corn and potatoes may have meant something different given that Middle Earth wasn't set in North America but then again, Tolkien probably meant to include these, especially so the hobbits could enjoy fish and chips.[1]
Edit Things You'll NeedFoodDecorationsLanternsFireworksGoodie bagsEquipment and prizes for games
Edit Related wikiHowsHow to Love Lord of the RingsHow to Become a Lord of the Rings FanHow to Play Lord of the Rings OnlineHow to Make a "They're Taking the Hobbits to Isengard" VideoHow to Make Cute Tea Party Invitations
Edit Sources and Citations↑ http://strangehorizons.com/2008/20080211/green-a.shtmlArticle Info Featured Article
Categories: Featured Articles | Holidays and Traditions
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