Hobbit Day

International Hobbit Day is September 22nd

The month of September celebrates Tolkien Week and Hobbit Day. It was created by the American Tolkien Society, which celebrates J.R.R Tolkien and his son and editor Christopher J.R Tolkien. They are dedicated to studying, appreciating and sharing the joy of his works. The American Tolkien Society began in 1975, but their online journal called, Minas Tirith Evening-Start, has been published independently since 1967.

Tolkien Week started in 1978. Hobbit Day essentially celebrates the birthday of Bilbo Baggins and Frodo Baggins, which is September 22, according to our calendar. It is celebrated through feasts and activities, such as is hobbit custom. Tolkien Week has gained some legal dignity through bipartisan support, which encourages the Society and the Middle Earth cycle (The Silmarillion, The Hobbit, Lord of the Rings – The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, and the Return of the King-, Unfinished Tales and the History of Middle-Earth). With its huge ever-growing fanbase, there is tons to do on this holiday, and what better way to celebrate than becoming immersed into Hobbiton and Middle-Earth!

How Hobbit Day Unites People

Nothing can bring together people more than a common interest, especially a fandom. The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings (The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers and the Return of the King) have an immense fanbase of all ages, countries, and interests. Many love these books and movies due to their high-fantasy aspects, the characters bravery and intelligence, and the ultimate sense of adventure. Around the world, many celebrate Tolkien Week, which encompasses the most important day of all- Hobbit Day. Official events are made, such as the one in The Hobbit set in New Zealand, which has a limited entry for those who want to celebrate A Long-expected Party amidst fans from all over the world. The sense of sharing an appreciation and dedication for this hugely imaginative and fantastic world brings many together by their love for this one world. It brings down barriers and focuses on the qualities that brings us together as people by sharing the joy of these projects.

Brief description of Hobbits: (from The Fellowship of the Ring book)

“As for the Hobbits of the Shire, with whom these tales are concerned, in the days of their peace and prosperity they were a merry folk. They dressed in bright colors, being notable fond of yellow and green; but they seldom wore shoes, since their feet had tough leathery soles and were clad in brown.” “Their faces were as a rule good-natured rather than beautiful, broad, bright-eyed, red cheeked, with mouths apt to laughter, and to eating and drinking. And laugh they did, and eat, and drink, often and heartily, being fond of simple jests at all times, and of six meals a day (when they could get them). They were hospitable and delighted in parties, and in presents, which they gave away freely and eagerly accepted.”

Interesting Hobbit Fandom Facts

• J.R.R Tolkien’s full name is John Ronald Reuel Tolkien (1892-1973).
• He served the British Army in the First World War, most notably the Battle of Somme.
• He was a philologist, that enjoyed creating languages for fun.
• His most famous publication posthumous is The Silmarillion.
• The Hobbit was published September 21, 1937. The Fellowship of the Ring was published July 29, 1954. The Two Towers on November 11, 1954 and the Return of the King on October 20, 1955.
• The Hobbit is often considered a children’s book.
• Hobbits come of age at 33 years old.
• There are three types of Hobbits: Harfoots, Stoors and Fallohides.
  • “The Harfoots, were browner of skin, smaller, and shorter, and they were beardless and bootless; their hands and feet were neat and nimble; and they preferred highlands and hillsides.”
  • The Stoors were broader, heavier in build, their feet and hands were larger, and they preferred flat lands and riversides.”
  • The Fallohides, the least numerous, were a northerly branch. They were more friendly with Elves than the other Hobbits were and had more skill in language and song than in handicraft; and of old they preferred hunting to tilling.”

How to Celebrate Hobbit Day

• Travel to New Zealand and go on a Hobbit Tour of the Movie Set Hobbiton
• Read the Middle-Earth cycle books
• Have a long movie marathon watching all 6 movies
• Set-up your own costume competition with others
• Cook hobbit food, from breakfast to desserts to dinners. Have a feast in their name!
• Arrange an event with Lord of the Rings activities
• Make your own LOTRs DIY decorations
• Organize a bookstore or school event in honor of the franchise, by setting up displays, a variety of foods and creating interesting activities to spark interest in literature and film in kids