September 22 is the birthday of the most famous hobbits, Bilbo and Frodo Baggins. In homage to these popular characters born from the pen of J. R. R. Tolkien, this day has become famous as "Day of the Hobbit", so that fans of hobbits from all over the world can celebrate these fantastic creatures together. If you too want to celebrate the noble race of hobbits, here are some ideas to celebrate in style!
Steps
Step 1. Organize a “long awaited party” with your fan friends
This is obviously a reference to the first chapter of The Fellowship of the Ring. According to the book, Bilbo Baggins' birthday is celebrated on this holiday, as well as his departure and Gandalf's goodbye to Frodo Baggins. In your case, however, it is an excellent excuse to organize a party. Here are some ideas to stay on topic:
- Decorate the party environment with a series of packages (to represent the cart loaded with packages from the book) and with piles of gifts.
- Fireworks (or at least streamers). You won't be able to recreate a dragon like in the book, but you could hang a flag or a poster featuring this creature.
- Lanterns to light up the room, just like in the book.
- Organize dances, music, songs and games.
Step 2. Choose where to organize the party
If there is a large tree in your yard or nearby park, you may want to center the party around it. A party outside would certainly be more in line with the hobbit tradition than a celebration at home, but obviously it depends on where you live and the climate. One of the advantages of an outdoor party is that the smaller hobbits will be able to run around freely and the remaining crumbs will be eaten by the local fauna, without having to vacuum!
If you choose to organize the party at home, prepare the setting for the party using hobbit-themed images or decorations. There are numerous images online that you can print and use to decorate your party. You can also embellish them as you like using an editing program
Step 3. Make sure your party includes a large amount of food:
both a large meal and several snacks are fine. Hobbits are famous for their well-stocked handouts, as can be read from the first page of The Hobbit. Some dishes particularly suitable for a hobbit party (mainly drawn from the English culinary tradition) could be:
- Mushrooms. Mushrooms are among the favorite foods of hobbits: in the book we are told how the old farmer Maggot used to grow them and Frodo was caught in the act while trying to steal some.
- Wine. Both Bilbo and Frodo have inherited vineyards, but beer is also a popular drink among hobbits.
- Hot soup.
- Cold meat, meat pies, pork pies, rabbit, fish & chips, bacon slices.
- Tarts and other blueberry dishes (but simple blueberry berries are fine too).
- Fresh baked bread and lots of butter.
- Pickles.
- Aged cheeses.
- Vegetable dishes such as corn, turnips, carrots and onions.
- Apple-based dishes, such as apple pies (with raspberry jam).
- Honey (but also honey-based preparations, such as a cake).
- Biscuits, fruit cakes and cakes of all kinds.
- Sandwich rolls (as they're small and cute and the hobbits would definitely approve of them, as long as they're not too complicated).
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Tea and coffee.
Don't overdo it with spices and sauces, as hobbits don't particularly use them
Step 4. Choose one or more passages about hobbits, taken from one of Tolkien's books, and read it with your guests
It will be an important moment, both for fans and for the uninitiated. Fans will certainly know the passage, while those who do not yet know the story will be able to hear a piece in first person. Assign one of your guests to read, as long as they have a clear, shrill voice and are willing to read in public - it will be a pleasant time for everyone present.
Step 5. Organize games
Hobbits love all kinds of games, so a party in their name just can't do without them! You could start by sticking a hobbit name on each guest's back and having others guess his identity in turn by asking book-related questions (without peeking). Other fun games suitable for all ages, as long as you have a little imagination, could be:
- Backyard games such as bell, tug of war, sack race, hide and seek, petanque, ball games etc.
- Indoor games such as chair games, Chinese shadows, a two-three-star, bingo, etc.
- Inventing rhymes and nursery rhymes and creating haiku, poems, limericks etc.
- Games that contain riddles, charades, idioms and proverbs.
Step 6. Make a special cake
In addition to the delicious dishes already mentioned, don't forget that the Day of the Hobbit is above all a birthday party for Bilbo and Frodo. Make or purchase a birthday cake with two candles (one for each hobbit). You could also drink a toast to the health of the Baggins and give a short speech in their honor.
Step 7. Prepare a gift for each participant
Small but creative gifts, such as toys, trinkets, trinkets, small tools, puzzles, etc. are great. In this way you will be able to represent one of the most characteristic traits of hobbits (i.e. their passion for giving gifts) and you will share the spirit of sharing and community typical of the County.
Search the internet for some more ideas on how to make original and fun gift packages
Step 8. If you think your friends are not very interested in celebrating Hobbit Day, you can choose to celebrate this day in your own way
Walk barefoot, eat six meals a day (hobbits are always hungry) or make a Hobbit Day T-shirt to spread the word. You could also make flyers to distribute to friends and acquaintances to make them understand the importance of this day.
Advice
- Tolkien loved myths, stories, fairy tales, proverbs, sayings, songs and legends of all kinds. You could spend part of the day reading these kinds of works. The books are also an excellent prize to be given away for the various organized games.
- Respect the hobbit house where the party will take place. If it is held in your home, have those present take off their shoes (perhaps with the help of a small sign)! A true hobbit has to walk barefoot.
- Invite your guests to dress up as a hobbit.
