First Edition - letters from Father Christmas Special
Welcome to the First Edition! Exploring Tolkien’s Letters from Father Christmas 🧝🏻♀️🐻❄️
Hi there!
Welcome to the very first edition of this newsletter—I’m so glad to have you here! Since it’s the holiday season, I thought it fitting to begin with one of my absolute favorite works by J.R.R. Tolkien: Letters from Father Christmas.
As described by Tolkien Gateway, the ultimate resource for all things Middle-earth, this delightful collection consists of “letters written and illustrated by J.R.R. Tolkien between 1920 and 1943 for his children, from Father Christmas. It was posthumously released on 2 September 1976, the third anniversary of Tolkien's death, and was edited by Baillie Tolkien, the wife of Christopher Tolkien.”
These letters are a treasure trove of warmth, humor, and creativity—filled with mischievous shenanigans, heartfelt encouragement, and stunning artwork by Tolkien himself. They showcase not only his deep love for his children but also his unparalleled gift for storytelling and worldbuilding. Later in this newsletter, you’ll find examples of his enchanting illustrations to enjoy.
Before we dive in, I want to give you a quick overview of what you can expect from these newsletters going forward. Each week, I’ll explore topics across seven main sections:
Art & Music (including fan films)
Community & Social Media
Gaming
Gatherings & Events
Merch
Podcasts & Videos
Writings (blogs, books, etc.)
While not every section will have equal focus every week, my hope is to share a mix of beloved classics, new discoveries, and maybe even encourage you to step out on an adventure of your own!
So, grab your favorite drink and a snack or two—it’s time to dig in. Let’s get started!
Art & Music (including fan films)
Community & Social Media
One of my favorite people to explore Tolkien’s works with is Kelly, who creates fantastic short-form content on her platform, The Middle Page. She brilliantly condenses the history and development of Letters from Father Christmas, offering insightful and engaging summaries of Tolkien’s charming holiday tradition. Her videos are beautifully crafted, with a calming, low-light ambiance that perfectly sets the scene for diving into Tolkien’s magical world. Bonus: Kelly has an incredible talent for photographing Tolkien’s books, capturing their beauty with true artistry.
Gaming
There aren’t any games here, and honestly, I’m glad this special connection between Tolkien and his children has remained untouched—a treasure for us to appreciate as it is. That said, I can’t resist using this as an excuse to mention that The Lord of the Rings Online features an incredible depiction of the Rory Bory Alice (IYKYK!) over the lands of Forochel.
Gatherings & Events
"What kind of community events would you love to see inspired by Letters from Father Christmas? Do you have cherished traditions or memories of reading it with your family? I’d love to hear your stories—feel free to reply to this email with them!"
Merch
"When searching for editions of Tolkien’s works or books about him, Tolkien Collector’s Guide is my ultimate virtual compass. Their comprehensive guide to the many editions of Letters from Father Christmas is unmatched. They’ve even created a detailed video overview and an extensive comparison chart highlighting the differences between editions—both of which are linked elsewhere in this newsletter."
https://www.tolkienguide.com/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?post_id=51811
Podcasts & Videos
I’ve gathered a selection of podcasts and videos that have really helped me deepen my appreciation for Tolkien’s Letters from Father Christmas to his children. I would be remiss if I didn’t give a shoutout to Alan Sisto’s North Polar Bear voice—it’s truly something special to experience. These podcasts and videos highlight how Tolkien’s writing is meant to be read aloud, and this collection is no exception. Dr. Schenk also has a fantastic documentary narration style—his presentations and videos are definitely worth adding to your list of resources as you explore Tolkien’s work and the community surrounding it. And, as promised, there’s a video that expands on the various editions available for this collection.
I’ve gathered a selection of podcasts and videos that have really helped me deepen my appreciation for Tolkien’s Letters from Father Christmas to his children. I would be remiss if I didn’t give a shoutout to Alan Sisto’s North Polar Bear voice—it’s truly something special to experience. These podcasts and videos highlight how Tolkien’s writing is meant to be read aloud, and this collection is no exception. Dr. Schenk also has a fantastic documentary narration style—his presentations and videos are definitely worth adding to your list of resources as you explore Tolkien’s work and the community surrounding it. And, as promised, there’s a video that expands on the various editions available for this collection.
Writings (blogs, books, etc.)
Letters From Father Christmas Reading Plan
https://luke-shelton.com/2018/12/08/letters-from-father-christmas/
Letters From Father Christmas
https://www.tolkienguide.com/modules/wiwimod/index.php?page=Letters%20From%20Father%20Christmas
Everything I Ever Needed to Know About the North Pole I Learned from Father Christmas (and Karhu the Polar Bear [and Ilbereth the Elf]).
https://scholar.valpo.edu/journaloftolkienresearch/vol16/iss2/8/
Rayed Arcs and the ‘Rory Bory Aylis’: Primary World Aurorae and Tolkien’s 'Father Christmas Letters'
https://scholar.valpo.edu/journaloftolkienresearch/vol18/iss1/5/
Beyond The Hobbit: J.R.R. Tolkien’s Other Works for Children
https://scholar.valpo.edu/journaloftolkienresearch/vol6/iss2/9/
