Have you heard of International Hobbit Day? It’s September 22, because it is both Frodo and Bilbo Baggins’ birthday! It turns out, it is quite the celebration with food, dancing, expeditions, and fireworks!
Now, we’re not ones to celebrate every random new holiday that comes out. (Except ice cream day… I’m definitely down for that one! 3rd Sunday in July, by the way…) But as a military family, I look for any and every opportunity to anchor our family in traditions that they can look forward to. No matter where we are. No matter who’s not there. I shared in my Valentine’s post, that my childhood special holidays were marked by big family gatherings with grandparents and all the cousins and aunts and uncles. Since my kids aren’t experiencing anything close to that, it’s my honor to put a small amount of effort in to creating special days for my kids! For the past 2 years, Hobbit Day has been a celebration my kids have looked forward to all year.
However, if you’re a LOTR lover and are finding this post in, say, March, celebrate it any ol’ time! If your kids are home sick from school, turn it into Hobbit Day!
I’ve seen Hobbit Day celebrations on Pinterest… and, um… I’m just not that kind of mom. My house in not turned into a hobbit hole. No menus with fancy shire lettering with hobbit-style names are set out. I for sure don’t buy or make costumes or light fireworks! I don’t buy special foods or even spend a penny. But here is what I do:
Atmosphere:
As the kids wake up, I have the Hobbit soundtrack playing in the house. I diffuse a fresh, piney essential oil blend. Most of my plants are topped with moss, so I grab some from the plants and cover a tray with moss and nestle candles in it. At every meal, we light beeswax candles. Look around your house, see what you have that looks rustic and use that! Also, doilies! I get inspiration from the unexpected supper at Bilbo’s house in The Hobbit. Otherwise, rustic is my theme!
Activity:
The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings movies are pretty much going all day. We don’t do school on Hobbit Day. Or… let’s say we do, but we act like I’m a substitute teacher that just puts movies on! Ha ha.
We start with watching The Hobbit after first breakfast. Once that’s finished, we go on a little Hobbit excursion. Any trail in the “wilderness” (read: anything with a bush in sight) is all you need! We can’t spend all day cooped up, watching movies and eating, so getting out for an invigorating walk is necessary. Shoes are optional, but highly discouraged! Be sure to time it around all the eating, or pack a picnic!
Eating:
You know the drill!
- First Breakfast 7am
- Second Breakfast 9am
- Elevenses 11am
- Luncheon 1pm
- Afternoon Tea 3pm
- Dinner 5pm
- Supper 7pm
Yes, it’s a lot of eating. No intermittent fasting on Hobbit Day! Yet, even this doesn’t require much effort. Think simple and rustic whole foods. Click here to receive our family’s Hobbit Meal Plan, but don’t stress to match ours perfectly. Use what you have!
If Hobbit Day is not your thing, look for ways to add special rhythms to your family’s life.
In all honesty, I’m not a super fan of LOTR. I know! Can you even take this post seriously, now!? But I love my kids, and they are super fans. As kids get older, our culture assumes that families will separate into their different rooms, eyes and attention on their own screens. I will do whatever it takes to keep a culture of community and unity in my family. Even if your kids aren’t into J.R.R. Tolkien’s books, I bet you anything you could surprise them with Hobbit Day and they’d be down! Who would turn down a special day of rest, vegging with movies and eating all day long?
However, if a day filled with all things Hobbit sounds painful to you, plan a special day around whatever your family is into! The key for our family is making memories, anchoring our family’s culture of unity, and being a people who celebrate the little things.
Pin this post to save for next fall, and comment below letting us know how your family celebrates the little things!
