Illustration from Letters From Father Christmas 2023 ed – Christmas 1934
It’s that most wonderful time of the year again! If you’re looking for the perfect holiday gift for your favourite Tolkien fan, you’ve come to the right place. The staff of TheOneRing.net have put together a list of our favourite items of the year, with price points for every budget.
From our Fellowship to yours, TheOneRing.net would like to wish you all a peaceful and happy holiday season.
Please note, unless otherwise indicated, all prices are in US Dollars.
Demosthenes recommends the Letters from Father Christmas.
Letters from Father Christmas is always a good choice, I think. The illustrations are cute and there’s a dry sense of humour to the letters and I really like how a story gradually evolves over the years.
2020 Centenary Edition
Published to celebrate the first ever ‘letter from Father Christmas’ in 1920, this beautiful oversized edition of Tolkien’s famous illustrated letters from ‘Father Christmas’, includes a wealth of charming letters, pictures and decorated envelopes, and promises to be a festive feast for Tolkien fans of all ages.
The centenary edition of Letters from Father Christmas is available from Harper Collins Australia for AUD$39.99.
Kelvarhin recommends the 2026 Tolkien Calendar: The Great Tales of Middle-earth.
This is the must have, yearly gift for every Tolkien fan, and lovers of Alan Lee’s beautiful artwork.
The official Tolkien calendar, this year containing 13 breathtaking paintings inspired by J.R.R. Tolkien’s three ‘Great Tales’ of Middle-earth: THE CHILDREN OF HÚRIN, BEREN AND LÚTHIEN and THE FALL OF GONDOLIN. Featuring beautiful artwork by Alan Lee, including a selection of stunning new paintings and drawings appearing here for the first time.
Kristin Thompson recommends a copy of Tolkien’s Medievalism in Ruins: Relics and Ruins in Middle-earth for your academically inclined Tolkien fan.
I just received my copy of TOLKIEN’S MEDIEVALISM IN RUINS: RELICS AND RUINS IN MIDDLE-EARTH, eds. Nick Katsiadas and Carl Sell. I haven’t had a chance to read it but it looks excellent. A good gift for the academic-minded Tolkien fan, but the giver has to have deep pockets and considerable affection for the recipient.
The structural and symbolic purposes of ruins in literary texts have a long history, yet few scholars explore their importance within J. R. R. Tolkien’s legendarium. From the ruins of Erebor and the relics of Gondolin appearing in The Hobbit to the various images of Amon Sûl, Moria, and Osgiliath in The Lord of the Rings, Tolkien constructs a distinct mood—one that captures characters’ awareness of the glories of the past and a desire to emulate them. The scholars who do engage Tolkien’s relics and ruins tend to limit the scope to Tolkien’s debt to the Middle Ages. While such scholarship begins important conversations, the full story of Tolkien’s relics and ruins is left untold. Tolkien’s Medievalism in Ruins takes corrective action and expands this historical and critical literary scope. This collection seeks to promote a more comprehensive approach to Tolkien’s legendarium.
It’s $150.50 hardback on Amazon and $86.40 for the Kindle version.
Wee Tanya recommends The Bovadium Fragments.
A version of JRRT’s The Bovadium Fragments was released in America on November 18 that includes a forward and context from Christopher Tolkien. TORn’s article about the book is over here. The short story is a satire about Oxford and how congested it was getting from vehicle traffic, as seen from the future, a piece that directly speaks to Tolkien’s nostalgia for an agrarian past and his dislike of the polluting elements of modernity. Here is the blurb: “The first-ever publication of a previously unknown short satirical fantasy by J.R.R. Tolkien, edited by his son, Christopher Tolkien, and accompanied by illustrations from the author together with an essay, ‘The Origin of Bovadium,’ by Richard Ovenden OBE. In this new edition, Christopher Tolkien provides notes and commentary that will enable the reader to enjoy at last this tale of an imagined Oxford viewed through the lens of future (and not wholly reliable) academic study.”
Elessar recommends the Aragorn miniature from Weta Workshop.
What disembarked the great ships of Umbar™ were not the expected reinforcements; descending upon the docks was a man, an elf, and a dwarf. The dead soon followed, bound by oaths unfulfilled, their presence like shadow and fear upon the wind. Urged on by the thought of comrades hard-pressed under the siege of death, Aragorn unsheathed his blade and gave the cry of war. Thus, once more, he led the charge into the jaws of darkness.
Or if you want to get in early for next Christmas, or your favourite Tolkien fan’s birthday next year, this miniature of Sharku on Warg is available for pre-order for $179.00 and will ship in early 2026.
An Orc of withered years and many wounds, upon his seamed visage lay records of long strife and harsh labour. Sharkû was a master of the great Wild Wolves, those fell Wargs, whose cunning and savagery few could tame. Long had he dwelt among them, bearing upon his flesh their piercing bites and tearing claws. Yet he endured and, honed by skill and scar, savagely led his pack of unrelenting hunters.
As ever, Oscha have so many gorgeous items – I’d be thrilled to find any of their treasures under my tree! I asked their creators what their own choices would be; they suggested:
For her – Trees of Gondor Ithildin Scarf Elegant and ethical, this organic cotton scarf features the iconic Trees of Gondor—perfect for Tolkien fans who love style with a story.
For him – Treebeard Pine Mug Start the day in Middle-earth style. This bone china mug showcases Treebeard and his classic quote: “The world is changing: I feel it in the water, I feel it in the earth, and I smell it in the air.”
For little ones – Shire Westfarthing Baby Blanket Wrap them in warmth and whimsy with this super-soft organic cotton blanket, inspired by the peaceful Shire. Lightweight yet cosy, it’s perfect for naps, pram adventures, and treasured keepsake moments.
Oscha also have items perfect for stocking stuffers or secret Santa, with tote bags and tea towels around the $20 mark.
greendragon’s next choice is Geek Orthodox’s stained glass masterpieces
Artist Ian at Geek Orthodox creates the most gorgeous pieces. The great news is, if one of his pieces of glass art work is beyond your budget, he has window cling replicas (of a very high standard) of the stained glass; and he has lovely pins. So there is something to suit every pocket book!
greendragon adds: “And finally, I can’t very well NOT remind folks that there is Green Dragon whiskey out there, from our good friends at Syzygy Forge. To toast the holiday season – cheers, Gaffer!”
As we prepare to hang up our stockings on Christmas Eve, hoping for a visit from a certain gentleman dressed in red, let’s take a closer look at a wonderful, festive book for Tolkien fans of all ages.
The October 2020 edition from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Released in time for the 2020 holiday season, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt has followed the path of its British cousin Harper Collins in publishing a striking new edition of the Letters from Father Christmas. Hitting the American market in late October, this oversized hardback beauty boasts 208 pages of colorful Christmas chronicles first designed to enchant Tolkien’s growing family with seasonal tales from the North Pole. This is the first three-digit milestone for the Tolkien corpus: as a “Centenary Edition”, the publication date marks the 100th anniversary of the first letter from Father Christmas reaching three-year old John Frances Reuel Tolkien in December 1920. These letters would continue over the next 23 years, welcoming Michael, Christopher, and Priscilla into the society of Father Christmas, the Great (Polar) Bear and his two sidekick nephews, Paksu and Valkotukka, and an elvish secretary, as they cope with everything from goblins to general clumsiness.
This latest (and more affordable) edition, like the slipcase “Deluxe Edition” published in 2019 by Harper Collins, contains transcriptions and facsimile pictures of the entire collection of “F.C.” letters, along with their assorted envelopes and stamps so characteristic of Tolkien’s meticulous attention to detail. It also includes an introduction from the book’s editor and Tolkien’s daughter-in-law, Baillie Tolkien, who married Christopher in 1967. Also included is a personal note from the Professor himself, reproduced for the first time.
Letters from Father Christmas, Deluxe Slipcase Edition, published by Harper Collins in October 2019 at an appropriately deluxe price point.
Tolkien likely began these letters as a whimsical family flourish, designed to make Christmastime a bit more magical for his children. But as with most of his projects, the tale grew in the telling. The letters began with a simple note of less than 100 words to his firstborn, accompanied by an iconic Father Christmas “self-portrait” and picture of his house.
Father Christmas assures young John Tolkien that all is well at the North Pole
Over the years, these evolved into occasional notes to each of his children, much lengthier epistles, occasional poetry, a more extensive cast of recurring characters, and assorted annual calamities to be overcome: from a plumbing disaster, to a broken North Pole, to reindeer on the loose, to an unexpected visit from the Man in the Moon. Occasionally, there is even a faint early echo from Middle-earth, with the appearance of elven aid “Ilbereth”, a single vowel away from his more famous star-kindling forebear; extensive new languages and calligraphy for multiple races, and a great (polar) bear fighting off goblin hordes in ways that would make Beorn proud.
The Great Polar Bear defends the realm Beorn style
The art of The Father Christmas Letters proves to be the most engaging element of the books, including meticulous hand drawn stamps and envelope decorations, spidery handwriting in Tolkien’s favorite black and red mix (nearly illegible in some cases), and above all the host of water color illustrations that surely captivated the imagination and speculation of Ronald and Edith’s young family, even as they continue to do for us (especially for any who have had a chance to see some of the originals under glass at recent exhibitions in Oxford, New York, or Paris).
This combination of text and illustration is a likely contributor to the Letters’ complicated publishing history. They first appeared three years after Tolkien’s death with a greatly abridged 1976 edition that focuses on pictures (not always reproduced in their complete form), partial texts, and only token reproductions of the original and elaborate written and decorated letters.
The first edition, and third posthumously published Tolkien work, clocks in at only 44 pages, 1976
Even in this premier edition, there are hints from Baillee Tolkien that we were only getting a sampling of a richer treasure. Further editions followed, largely keeping to a similarly abridged approach.
It was not until 1993 that Tolkien scholars began to appreciate the full extent and complexity of what was still missing from the Father Christmas saga; and inquiring minds wanted to know more.
The first response was a delightful new edition published by Houghton Mifflin in 1995, introducing a novel approach: ten letters enclosed in actual envelopes, sprinkled with recaps and illustration highlights. While still not exhaustive, this latest installment began to recreate some of the delight of actually receiving and opening these annual updates. The book also included three previously unpublished pictures.
Father Christmas starts mailing it in, 1995; a new title approach, too!
Finally, in 1999, we received a new “revised and enlarged” version, with the complete set of more than 30 letters and all of Tolkien’s pictures, some with a lesser quality color reproduction. For the truly deep-pocketed, there was also an opportunity to add to their Easton Press library of well-bound leather books. These were particularly fine editions for those who love distractingly enlarged details as page decorations.
Now that the complete set of letters was finally available to the public, we could enter the era of anniversary editions. The first on the scene came after five more years, in 2004, with fewer pages and illustrations, but at least fewer marginal distractions. The 2009 edition – or 10th anniversary of the complete set – proved that the 1999 version was only mostly complete, adding several omitted pages from letters in 1937 and 1941. An updated version of the same edition in 2012 provided 39 new images covering all but a few pages of the actual letters, and much improved reproductions.
For the truly dedicated enthusiast, the upgraded Collector’s Edition of the Bodleian’s exhibit catalogue, Tolkien, Maker of Middle-earth, includes a facsimile version of the Christmas 1936 letter and its accompanying explanatory picture.
For the truly dedicated enthusiast, the upgraded Collector’s Edition of the Bodleian’s exhibit catalogue, Tolkien: Maker of Middle-earth includes a facsimile version of the Christmas 1936 letter and its accompanying explanatory picture.
Tolkien’s family tradition ended on a bittersweet note in a 1943 letter (“a grim year”) to a 14-year-old Priscilla. Father Christmas muses, “After this I shall have to say ‘goodbye’, more or less: I mean, I shall not forget you. We always keep the old numbers of our old friends, and their letters; and later we hope to come back when they are grown up and have houses of their own and children.” The 2020 Centenary Edition ofThe Father Christmas Letters offers just that kind of opportunity: to reminisce, to return, to find great hope and cheer in small things, and to consider how we might pass this joy to future generations. Merry Christmas!
(Looking for further gift ideas, as you rush to complete your shopping? Check out TORn’s holiday gift guide!)
Editor Note: Throughout the month, and as part of our Tolkien Advent Calendar celebration, we are featuring news and resources for fans of J.R.R. Tolkien, his worlds and works. Today’s official advent calendar is below!
Day 21 of TheOneRing.net’s Advent Celebration 2020
