All I want for Christmas is… one of these fantastic gifts from the world of fiction. Or a book token.
Invisibility cloak from the Harry Potter books. Harry receives this gift for his first Christmas at Hogwarts. It belonged to his father and is passed on to Harry by the Headmaster, Albus Dumbledore. The cloak becomes essential to Harry’s adventures around and beyond the school, and later in the series we learn that this magical object is even more special than it appears.
Doll’s house from The Miniaturist by Jessie Burton. A large replica of their house in 17th century Amsterdam, it’s a gift to Nella from her new husband Johannes. She hasn’t got much else to occupy her time; an unsatisfied young housewife, she focuses on the doll’s house, acquiring items for it from a mysterious ‘miniaturist’. But somehow the figures foretell the future…
The cat from Dear Santa by Rod Campbell. This lift-the-flap board book for young children features Santa wrapping up various presents which turn out to be unsuitable and not special enough. The ball is too bouncy, the trumpet is too noisy, the finger paints are too messy, etc. Finally he sends a cat (in a basket) – ‘She’s just what I wanted. I love her. Thank you Santa!’ I’m aware that cats are real and not fantastical, but I already have two and I’m not allowed to have more than that.
The One Ring from the Middle Earth books. Technically this was not a present, because the Ring seems to lose itself, change owners, or be rediscovered by its own will. However, Gollum refers to it as his birthday present. This deceptively plain bit of bling was forged by the Dark Lord Sauron in his quest for ultimate power. Which is why the good guys must destroy it before the bad guys reclaim it. So… I’ll settle for a replica, then.
A warm scarf hand-picked by Father Christmas himself, from The Snowman by Raymond Briggs. This wordless picture book, and the iconic animated film which has become a festive tradition, are about a boy whose snowman comes alive and flies him to the North Pole. After the dancing and party games are over, Father Christmas gives him a parcel, which turns out to be a scarf. Good choice, as the boy has been traipsing through the snow wearing only his nightclothes. The awful and magical thing about the end of this story is that in the morning, the snowman has melted. But the scarf is real…
Season’s Greetings. I’ll be back on New Year’s Eve with a review of 2018!
Yet another original blog post idea and I loved reading this one as much as your previous ones! Happy holidays and hope you spend a relaxing time with loved ones!
Thank you so much! Glad you like the post ๐
I do my best to think of original things to say.
Hope you also have a great Xmas and New Year.
That invisibility cloak sure would come in handy! Too bad you can’t have one.
Merry Christmas and happy holidays, NS!
Indeed – I really want an invisibility cloak for so many reasons!
Hope you have a great Xmas and New Year ๐
I completely agree on the first two. The Invisibility Cloak and the Miniaturist house would be perfect gifts! Have a lovely Christmas!
Thank you – as long as the Miniaturist house didn’t predict anything too scary…
Hope you have a lovely Xmas and New Year ๐
Yes, exactly ?. You too!
What a lovely, original idea for a blog post! An invisibility cloak would be great but I think I’d prefer Dumbledore’s favourite gift; I never seem to have enough socks!
Thank you – I do my best ๐
At least with socks they are easy to obtain, which is not the case for the invisibility cloak….
My daughter loves the invisible cloak! She got the idea from a video she saw online lol and oooo scarf from father christmas! I’d love that too! But I haven’t read the book yet. Just the idea of it warms the heart! ?โค๏ธAnd this is such a wonderful post!
Thank you very much, Jee! ๐
I seriously want the cloak so much.
The Snowman is a really wonderful story and a tradition in the UK, watched it today in fact.
I love this!!!! This is a lovely idea! I might borrow it in the future, if you donโt mind.
Feel free to borrow my idea, please credit me ๐
Really I don’t mind and I’m glad you liked this post.
Of course!
I lost my scarf a few weeks ago, so i’d be happy with any scarf at this point ๐ Santa picked one is defo fancier tho.
Happy holidays!
Oh dear, at least the shops are full of scarves at the moment ๐
Best wishes for Xmas & New Year!
Awesome post! I want that invisibility cloak and the cat?
Thank you! Everyone wants the cloak… if I could own anything from the Harry Potter world it would be that.
I want to adopt every cat in the world .
I’m with you on adopting every cat in the world?
oh gosh I love this list!!!! I could do with an invisibility cloak ๐ And the doll’s house actually exists (it’s in the rijksmuseum in amsterdam- though I don’t think the figures predict the future)- so maybe you could get someone to steal it/buy it for you one day ๐ (one can dream eh ๐ ) hahahaha I just cracked up at the one ring!!!
Thanks! Yes indeed everyone wants the cloak… things would be interesting if we all had one. I wouldn’t have the space for a large doll’s house so on second thoughts it would be best not to steal that one.
Just remembered that the ring also makes you invisible – so along with the cloak, I really want to be invisible ๐
You’re welcome! yep! hehehehe!! hahaha yeah it definitely looks like it ๐
Hi there! I tagged you for the Mystery Blogger award if youโd like to participate. https://brunchingbookworms.co.uk/2018/12/23/mystery-blogger-award-2/
Yes to the invisibility cloak and yes to more cats! I only have the one but I’m hoping to get a kitten next year! That oddly doesn’t depend on the husband but on the current cat we have!!
That’s so exciting about getting another kitty ๐
Mine are house cats so I have two litter trays for them – the major downside to getting another cat would be having more trays to clean out…
Yes ours is a house cat as well! I don’t mind cleaning out the tray so much, I’m just worried about squabbling especially as we have such a pampered princess and I think cats are quite territorial!
Great choices! I got some bills to pay so the invisibility cloak would come in handy lol.
Ha ha, yes ๐
Great post! I’d love the invisibility cloak although I think I’d be too freaked out to have that Dollhouse lol! ๐ฎ
Thanks! ๐ I want that cloak so much!