The Fellowship participating in a White Oliphaunt gift exchange with the Elves of Lórien. Wait…er…. Credit: New Line Cinema
Mae govannen, friends!
The holiday season is fast approaching and you find yourself looking for the perfect gift for that Lord of the Rings fanatic in your life (maybe that’s you!). If so, you’re in luck.
The Jokien with Tolkien gift guide is back and it’s better than ever!
I’ve expanded and updated the list from the previous two years, adding many new items and keeping some favorites from the past to assemble a wide range of gift options from many categories and for all budgets.
One gift guide to rule them all!
So read on to check out some ideas for gifts as perfect as the ones Galadriel gave to the Fellowship as they set out from Lothlórien on their journey.
Also, for Black Friday, I’m offering 30% off paid subscriptions for 1 year! Get that discount here:
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Is it really a Jokien with Tolkien gift guide without this line? Credit: New Line Cinema
Let’s start at the beginning. BOOKS. None of the rest of the items on this list would exist without the books Tolkien wrote. So what are some gift-worthy books by and about Tolkien?
By Tolkien
NEW RELEASES— Tolkien’s “satirical fantasy,” The Bovadium Fragments, was released for the first time. Additionally, a new boxed set containing Tolkien’s writings on “Myths and Legends” was released. Both would make lovely additions to any Tolkien collection!
The Hobbit— in addition to the edition illustrated by Tolkien and new collector’s editions mentioned above, there is an edition of The Hobbit illustrated by Jemima Catlin that would be perfect for younger readers. Also check out this 70th Anniversary Edition, which would make an excellent upgrade from a paperback copy. Finally, consider a 2016 Facsimile First Edition of The Hobbit. This version reproduces the 1937 1st edition, which includes several differences from all later version including the original version of the “Riddles in the Dark” chapter. That’s right, there are multiple versions of this chapter and you can read it for yourself in this version!
Hobbit/LOTR Box Sets — “What have I got in my pocket?” The answer could very easily be one of the volumes of this Deluxe Pocket Boxed Set with The Hobbit and LOTR. I love it as a gift because it’s affordable, looks incredible, and you can take any of the volumes with you wherever you go! This set of The Hobbit and LOTR Illustrated by Alan Lee (both on the covers and throughout) is also stunning. I personally received it as a gift a few years ago and it’s incredible!
The Silmarillion — for The Silmarillion, I love the gorgeous collector’s edition that has the cover with Telperion and Laurelin. If that doesn’t do it for you, I’d also recommend this hardcover edition of The Silmarillion with illustrations by Ted Nasmith. Editor’s Note: want to go above and beyond for your LOTR fan? Do your research and hunt down a first edition Silmarillion for them! The first edition was a large print run, so they’re still readily available and don’t cost as much as you might think (less than $50 if you just want a general first edition, closer to around $100 if you want a first edition that’s a first impression as well as a first edition).
The Four Boxed Sets of The History of Middle-earth — This gorgeous edition of The History of Middle-earth is probably my favorite part of my (ever expanding) Tolkien library!
Collecting The Silmarillion,Unfinished Tales, and The History of Middle-earth’s 12 volumes, these four Box Sets would make an excellent gift this holiday season. Start them off with just the first set to get them started on their journey or give a kingly gift of all four sets!
The Collected Poems of J.R.R. Tolkien — This set presents almost 200 works of poetry by Tolkien across three volumes, including more than 60 that have never before been seen. Together with critical commentary on the author and his work and packaged in a wonderful set, this collection would make a splendid gift!
The Great Tales of Middle-earth Box Set — though you can find versions of all three stories in The Silmarillion and The History of Middle-earth, The Great Tales of Middle-earth collects The Children of Húrin, Beren and Lúthien, and The Fall of Gondolinin one box set. These books contain not just the “final” versions of these tales as they appeared in The Silmarillion but also other versions from earlier or later in Tolkien’s life.
The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien: Revised and Expanded — this revised and expanded edition of Tolkien’s letters would make a wonderful gift for the Tolkien fan in your life who wants to know more about the Professor himself
About Tolkien
Into the Heart of Middle-earth — Kaitlyn Facista, also known as @TeawithTolkien, has written a companion volume to The Lord of the Rings on how to cultivate the Shire within our own hearts and uncover meaning and truth from the story to apply to our own lives. It releases in February, but you can preorder it now!
J.R.R. Tolkien: The Father of Modern Fantasy — Don Marshall, “The Obscure Lord of the Rings Facts Guy,” has written a book for Simon & Schuster’s '“Pocket Portraits” series that just came out this week. Check it our and support Don by getting your hands on this beautiful and informative volume.
The War for Middle-earth — historian Joseph Loconte focuses in this volume on how the catastrophe of World War II transformed the lives and literary imagination of Tolkien and Lewis. Perfect for the history buff who is also a fan of the Inklings
The Mythmakers — this splendid graphic novel depicts the friendship of J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis with and examines how they shaped their stories, each other, and the world! One of my favorite books I read last year (and one of the most popular items in last year’s gift guide!)
Lore of the Rings Volume 1 — my book of collected essays is available on Amazon and would look amazing under the tree or in a stocking for any Tolkien fan! (ok, so I’m biased lol). Collecting ten essays previously only available to paid subscribers of Jokien with Tolkien, this volume is perfect for the LOTR fan wanting to go deeper into the lore of LOTR!
The Unofficial Lord of the Rings Cookbook— this volumecontains over 60 recipes for Breakfast, Second Breakfast, Elevenses, Luncheon, Afternoon Tea, Dinner, Supper, and Drinks, as well as stunning images.
Nota Bene: most of the above links are to Amazon, but if some of the books I highlighted above caught your eye and you don’t want to support the Evil Empire of bookstores, I have most all of the same titles available in a shop on Bookshop.org, where the profits from every purchase go to support the local bookstore of your choice! Check it out here: Jokien with Tolkien on Bookshop
LOTR Accessories
You’ve read the books, you’ve watched the movies, now you want something to take with you every day to help bring some of that LOTR-related joy with you!
Shire Post Mint creates officially licensed coins straight from Middle-earth. These fanart coins are well crafted from solid metals using antique methods, and the designs are intriguingly complicated. Find coins, necklaces, wax seals, and more! Their annual holiday sale runs from November 24 to December 3 this year, and the code is Foreyule25.
Jokien with Tolkien Gear— Want to wear some Lord of the Rings gear and rep the newsletter at the same time? I’ve got you covered! Check out all the designs in my shop, but especially the most popular one by a mile, Another Reindeer
Shire Sweetgrass Candle — I absolutely love North Ave Candles for their lovely scents, premium ingredients, and delightful designs. This candle inspired by The Hobbit with “bright and lively scents of wild grasses, fiddleheads, lemongrass and clover” makes for a perfect Tolkien-themed gift!
Doors of Durin Cookbook Stand — speak ‘friend’ and enter indeed! mount your favorite cookbook (perhaps the LOTR one above??) on this gorgeous cookbook stand or just display it because, I mean, look at that!
Map of Middle-earth Throw Blanket — get cozy for your next Extended Edition marathon with this throw blanket that has the map of Middle-earth on it! Trace each step of the journey of the Fellowship as they take it on the very blanket you’re under
Speak Friend and Enter Doormat — one of the top gifts each year I’ve done this guide! Welcome visitors to your humble abode with a doormat inscribed with instructions for how to open your doors. Speak, friend, and enter (watcher in the water for your front yard pool sold separately).
Mugs and Tumblers — Iabsolutely adore this Lord of the Cats Mug. Does this mean the Eye of Sauron is a laser pointer? Is Old Toby catnip?? I also can’t get enough of this ceramic mug with the Map of the Lonely Mountain on it! (I got this one a few years ago and use it multiple times a week!).
Board Games — The Lord of The Rings: Duel for Middle-Earth and War of the Ring are both excellent games based on the world and events of Middle-earth. The former is a quicker game that takes 30 minutes or so while the latter is an advanced strategy game that will take hours to complete
Rankin/Bass and Ralph Bakshi Films — the animated versions of The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, and The Return of the King are each charming in their ways. If you didn’t see them as a child you might not see them quite as fondly, but they’re worth seeing and all entertaining
Want to give a kingly gift whose worth is greater than the value of the Shire? Well, these aren’t quite as valuable as a shirt of Mithril, but they’re close.
Deluxe Illustrated by the Author Editions of The Hobbit, LOTR, and The Silmarillion — each of the editions of these books that has an “Illustrated by the Author” edition I mentioned earlier has a deluxe edition as well. Find them here: Deluxe The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings,The Silmarillion
Prop Replicas from Weta Workshop — this is the ultimate gift for a fan of the Peter Jackson films: get a replica of one of the very props from the movies!
Special shoutout and thank you to all the Extended Edition members! You all make work like this possible.
Thank you so much for reading! Hope that you find something you can give as a gift or that you can get yourself. I’ll be back in your inboxes soon. Farewell, friends. Go towards goodness!
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If that Lonely Mountain mug doesn't have temperature-sensitive Moon-runes, they are missing an opportunity.