50 gifts from Middle-earth and beyond for the ultimate Tolkien fan
This holiday season happens to coincide with a very special event for Middle-earth fans: the release of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, the first film in a new trilogy from director Peter Jackson starring characters and lands created by J.R.R. Tolkien, arguably the greatest fantasy author of all time.
Tolkien's work is special not just because his work has translated so well to film, but because modern fantasy literature simply wouldn't be the same without him. He's an essential figure not just in fantasy literature, but in modern literary history as a whole, so it's no surprise that he's still got a massive fan base.
Since this is an especially Tolkien-driven holiday season, we thought it only right to assemble a Tolkien gift guide, but not just any Tolkien gift guide. This is a guide for the ultimate Tolkien fan, featuring everything from very small tokens of fandom to uber-expensive collectors' items that almost no one else has. If you've got a Tolkien fan in your life and you need a great gift, this is the place to be.
And here's a complete list of all Blastr Holiday Gift Guide features:
20 insanely elaborate movie DVD sets that'd make great holiday gifts
Awesome Serenity replica + 24 other great gifts for Joss Whedon fans
28 perfect Doctor Who gifts that look just like the TARDIS
Amazing Enterprise replica + 15 more sci-fi gifts costing $10,000 and up
22 videogame gift your friends will love (but you may want to keep)
21 awesome Star Trek gifts that look like the Starship Enterprise
21 cute and cuddly sci-fi plush toys that would make great gifts
24 massive TV Blu-ray and DVD box sets for sci-fi completists
16 old-school sci-fi TV gifts: Twilight Zone, Space: 1999 and more!
20 great holiday gifts for your geek girlfriend
21 life-sized comic book props you can give as gifts
A life-sized Iron Throne + 27 more awesome Game of Thrones gifts
Awesome zat gun + 21 more gifts for your Stargate-loving friends
11 must-read sci-fi novels that would make perfect gifts
18 of the cleverest sci-fi shirts you can give as gifts
50 gifts from Middle-earth and beyond for the ultimate Tolkien fan
Superman underwear + 19 more great gifts for your geek boyfriend
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Limited Edition Hobbit Moleskine Notebooks, $16.95: Chronicle your own "There and Back Again"-style travels in these handsome notebooks that feature, among other things, a secret map in the pocket.
Hobbit weapons t-shirt, $19.99: Are you an axe-man, or do you prefer to wield a sword? Whatever your choice of weapon, you'll find it on this shirt.
Dwarven Battle Axe, $17.99: Lend your axe to the battle without actually killing anyone with this handy foam model.
Lord of the Rings barware, $29.99: The only brew for the brave and true comes from The Green Dragon, and now you can turn your home into a legendary Hobbit pub of your very own.
Tree of Gondor t-shirt, $19.99: Show your allegiance to the rightful king with this awesome shirt.
Thorin's Map t-shirt, $19.99: You'll always known your way to the Lonely Mountain with this shirt.
The Hobbit Beards t-shirt, $19.99: Having trouble getting your Bifurs confused with your Bomburs? Set your mind straight with this guide to the beards of the movie, in shirt-form.
The One Ring in 10K solid gold, $1,250: It won't turn you invisible, but this beautiful, solid gold replica might be the closest you'll ever get to having your very own Precious.
Evenstar Pendant, $199: Because nothing says "I love you" like a piece of Elven jewelry.
Elven Leaf Brooch, $225: Don't leave Lothlorien without one.
Limited Edition Sting replica, $7,999: It's not cheap, but it comes directly from the people who made the blades used in the movie.
Bag End door magnet, $14.99: Turn your refrigerator into a gateway to The Shire...or at least use this as a sign that you're serving second breakfast.
Gandalf rune pendant, $39.99: Let everyone know you're a real wizard.
Hobbit ears, $39.99: No Frodo cosplay is complete without these.
Shields of Middle-earth poster, $14.99: Know at a glance the difference between the armaments of Rohan and Gondor.
Bag End model, $130: You might not be able to live there, but at least you can adorn your mantel with the Baggins home.
Barad-dur model, $699: Miniature Eye of Sauron not included.
Nenya, the Ring of Galadriel, $149: Three rings were given to the Elves, and now you can have this one.
Rivendell Model, $399: The glorious Elven city in miniature form, as designed by the Weta Workshop.
Key to Erebor replica, $29.99: It might open a door to piles of dwarf treasure...or it might just look good on your bookcase.
Thorin's Map replica, $29.99: You'll always know where to find that blasted dragon.
The Ring of Thorin, $189: Let the world know that you're the rightful King Under the Mountain.
Bag End Floor Plan, $29.99: You'll always know where Bilbo's hiding the good wine.
Smaug the Golden sculpture, $4,900: Based on the work of iconic Tolkien artist John Howe, this beautiful bronze statue is a true work of art in its own right.
The Maps of Tolkien three-book set, signed by John Howe, $83.97: Never get lost in Middle-earth again.
Contract of Bilbo Baggins replica, $449: If you're going on a quest with a band of rowdy dwarves, it always helps to know the terms of the agreement.
Gandalf the Grey sculpture, $249: Everyone's favorite wizard, on your mantel forever.
Letters from Father Christmas, $14.93: Life for Tolkien wasn't all Hobbits and dragons. He also took time to create a special kind of Christmas magic for his children, as this book shows.
The Complete History of Middle-earth, $1,648: Everything you could ever want to know about the vast world Tolkien created, in one box set.
Tolkien Calendar 2013, $9.39: Keep the world of your favorite writer with you year-round.
Original Tolkien letters, price varies: If you're really a Tolkien superfan, then you'll want something written in his own hand.
The Silmarillion Leather-Bound Edition, $615: The mythos of MIddle-earth in a beautiful leather edition.
The Children of Hurin Deluxe Edition, $545: One of the most recent of Tolkien's posthumous publications in a handsome limited edition for the serious collector.
The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien, $10.85: Tolkien was a prolific letter writer all his life, and this collection provides a powerful insight into the man behind the mythmaking.
Elessar Crown replica, $149: Crown yourself the King of Gondor and make everyone in your living room bend the knee.
Gandalf's staff candle holder, $64.95: Light the way through Moria any time you want.
Elrond's Gold Council ring, $149.95: Rule Rivendell with this bad boy on your finger.
Thorin statue, $199.96: The King Under the Mountain can now be under your roof.
Lord of the Rings Collector's Chess Set, $495: If only the actual War of the Ring could've been decided like this.
The War of the Ring board game, $61.80: Decide the fate of Middle-earth at your kitchen table.
Glamdring letter opener, $29.50: Let that credit card bill know who's boss.
Orcrist letter opener, $29.50: Rip into that letter from grandma like it's a goblin and you're King Under the Mountain.
Gandalf the White on Shadowfax statue, $299.99: We all love Gandalf the Grey, but sometimes you just have to take things to the next level.
Gollum Life-Sized Statue, $609.99: This thing is great for unwanted house guests.
Sauron's helm miniature, $149.99: Stare into the face of pure evil...or at least a small version of it.
Gandalf's scarf, $99: If you want the powers of a wizard, you've got to dress like a wizard.
J.R.R. Tolkien: Author of the Century by Tom Shippey, $22.16: No Tolkien collection is complete without a biography of the author.
Frodo Lives mug, $13.95: Let the world know your allegiance to the most famous of Hobbits.
Lord of the Rings location guidebook, $19.99: Headed to New Zealand? This handy volume will let you know exactly where your favorite moments from the films were created.
Tolkien's World: Paintings of Middle-earth, $51.98: Featuring fantasy artists from all over the world, this volume collects some of the most stunning visual imaginings of Tolkien's world ever.