Christmas or Birthday Present Idea
Hobbits Gave Mathoms to Close Friends and Relatives
The charming habit of giving something of little monetary value but packed with memories to a loved one.
Hobbits gave presents on their birthday instead of receiving them, but the suggestion here is not that one should do that – rather that it might be possible to find a suitable treasured object and give that instead of a traditional present.
Presents, Hobbits and ‘Mathoms’
J.R.R.Tolkein’s ‘Hobbits’ gave one-another fairly useless items which they called ‘mathoms’. These were often passed on – from friend to friend – on birthdays and other special occasions, and were stored in special ‘mathom-houses’ between givings. They acquired great sentimental value by all this giving and became precious objects over time.
Presents and a Modern ‘Mathom-House’?
Few of us can afford to build a special museum or ‘mathom-house’ to store our treasures. They often get assigned to the attic, which is a great pity because it effectively removes them from our thoughts. Consider giving a close friend or relative a special container for his/her ‘mathoms’ when you give the first one. Best of all give one of your own precious containers! Maybe an old leather bag or a nice old wooden box?
Presents Suitable as ‘Mathoms’
Obviously the object must be something precious to you, but it need not have any monetary value. This solves the problem of ‘what do you give someone who has everything?’, and shows your love and affection without entering into the ‘cash-value’ arms race. All too often it is a struggle to find a present for a person who is rich enough to buy anything he/she needs or really likes – it is solved by giving a ‘bit of yourself’.
Presents – Give an Explanation
It will be necessary to give some sort of explanation of what you are doing, otherwise it will just seem like the passing on of old junk and unwanted presents of your own. Explain that you are giving objects that have been important to you – explain how and why they were important, and maybe that you will continue to add ‘mathoms’ on an annual basis.
Presents – Consider the Age of the Recipient
A new-born or very young child will not appreciate a precious manuscript, and an old person with poor eyesight might not get any enjoyment from your ‘Lord’s Prayer Engraved on a Pin-Head’. The very young like to handle and chew, the very old maybe just handle! In-between these ages anything you have kept beside you for a long time will do. It might be as simple as a curious stone you once picked up on a well-remembered holiday, or as weird as the lock of your great-grandmother’s hair that has been handed down to you. The only criterion is that it must have a story to tell.
Source: J.R.R Tolkein's book ‘The Hobbit’
