Holiday Party

No matter if you're in the Northern or Southern hemisphere, it's a time of year to think about holidays. Whether you're bundling up in blankets or slipping a swimsuit into your suitcase, we invite you to an SWG holiday party!

Don't be overwhelmed - this challenge can be as low key as you choose to make it. You only need to complete one of the many prompts to collect your stamp. Prompts may also be completed at any time during the challenge, not just the day it is assigned.

Some prompts may also simply ask you to talk or share. This may take the form of posting on Tumblr, on the SWG Discord, or other platforms - if this is the case and you would like the stamp, let the mods know. The same applies to reading prompts: drop us a note if you have completed one.

Many parties feature games, and so does this one. Some you can join on your own, others need a partner or a team. While the rules of the game are given in the prompts, often players adapt the rules…

As with any good party, there's no need to rush. This challenge lasts all the way to January!

This challenge opened in November 2021 .

Prompts

Choose your prompt from the collection below.

View Prompts

November 15

You’re Invited: Create a fanwork inviting someone to an event in the Legendarium.

November 16

Tuesday Try: Explore the work of a new fan creator. (This could be a creator new to the fandom or just new to you.)

November 17

Wishlist Wednesday: The return of the wishlist! Make and post your wishlist so your fellow SWG members will be able to see it.

November 18

By The Sea: In the southern hemisphere, it’s summer - the perfect time for a seaside holiday or a BBQ on the beach! Create a fanwork featuring the sea.

November 19

Feedback Friday: Leave feedback on a fanwork you love.

November 20

Family: For many people, holidays are the time to gather with your family, or miss them if you can't. Create a fanwork about families, whether of birth or of choice, in the Legendarium.

November 21

Pass the Parcel: The first player in the game writes a short story. The next person who would like to play writes a short story including a character or object from the first story in their story. This chain will continue for the full length of the challenge, with all responses posted as chapters to a single story. Please note that each ‘chapter’ does not need to be set after/follow onto the first, nor does it need to be the same character/object passed throughout.

November 22

Just Another Manic Monday: It can be hard to get into the mood - party, creative, or even just productive - on a Monday. Share some music that inspires you!

November 23

Tell Me About It: Make a rec list and share it.

November 24

Wishlist Wednesday: Take a look at the wishlists that have been shared and pick something to work on.

November 25

Food & Drink: What would a holiday be without them? Create a fanwork featuring one of your favorite holiday foods or drinks. (Or create the food or drink! We're happy to tell you how much pictures and/or recipes set our mouths watering!)  

November 26

Feedback Friday: Leave feedback for a fanwork other than fic (art, meta, recipe, playlist, etc.)

November 27

Wallflowers: Not everyone is a social butterfly! We see the prominent characters in the Legendarium often, but there are also characters who are rarely if ever in the spotlight, perhaps mentioned only in passing. Create or comment on a fanwork featuring a rare character. We usually define a rare character as one appearing in five or fewer stories on the SWG archive, as listed below (counting appearances as major characters only):

Adanel Ailinel Alatar Algund Almarian Almiel Amanyar* Amlach Angrim Ar-Adunakhôr Aranwë Aratan Ar-Gimilzór Arminas Ar-Sakalthôr Arthad Arvedui Asfaloth Balan Balrogs* Baragund Barahir (Fourth Age) Baran* Bard Beldis Belegund Belen Bereg* Beregar Black Númenóreans* Borlach Borlad Boromir (Fellowship) Boromir (House of Bëor) Boromir (Steward of Gondor) Boron Borthand Brandir Bregolas Bregor Cirion Ciryon Dagnir* Dairuin* Denethor Dírhavel Dís Doriathrim Dorlas Draugluin Drúedain* Dúnedain* Eagles Eärendur* Eärnil* Eärnur Easterlings Ecthelion I* Ecthelion II* Edain Eilinel Elendili* Elentir Elmar Enel

Enelyë Enerdhil Éowyn Eradan Eriol Evranin Falathrim* Faniel* Fimbrethil Findegil Finduilas of Dol Amroth Fíriel Fuinur* Galadhon Galador Galdor (Edain) Galdor of the Havens Galion Gamil Zirak Gelmir Gereth Gethron Gildis Gilfanon Gimilkhâd Glirhuin Glóredhel Gollum Gondolindrim* Gríma Wormtongue Grithnir Guilin Gundor Gwaith-i-Mírdain* Haldad Haldan Haldar Halmir Handir Hareth Hathaldir Hathol Hazad Longbeard* Herucalmo Herumor* Hiril House of Bëor* House of Hador House of Haleth* Hunleth Hunthor Ibun* Imlach* Imrahil Imrazor Isilmë Isilmo Istari* Khîm* Laiquendi* Larnach* Larnach's Daughter Laurelin* Lenwë Lindissë

Lindo Lindórië Littleheart Lorgan Magor son of Malach* Mairen Makar Malach* Malbeth the Seer Marach Mardil Marhwini Meássë Meleth (Mortal)* Meneldil Meril-i-Turinqi Merry Mîm Nahar Nandor* Nessanië Nielíqui Númendil* Núneth Nurwë Ohtar Orchaldor Orophin* Pallando Petty-dwarves* Pippin Quennar i Onótimo Radhruin* Ragnor* Rochallor Rúmil (Lothlórien)* Shelob Silmarien Southrons Tal-elmar* Tar-Alcarin Tar-Ancalimon Tar-Atanamir* Tar-Ciryatan Tar-Elendil Tar-Meneldur Tar-Minastir Tar-Telemmaitë Tar-Telperiën Tatië Telemnar* Telperion* Tevildo Théodwyn Tindómiel Tinfang Treebeard Ulfast Ulwarth Urthel Valandil Vardamir Vardilmë Yávien Zamîn

 

*These characters are super-rare and currently have zero fanworks as a major character posted on the SWG archive.

 

Note that characters who don't appear on the site's character list yet also count, as long as they are from a Silmarillion-centric text. These would include characters not in The Silmarillion itself whom no one, in our archive's thirteen-year history, has requested to have added yet. Choose the option "Admin: New Character Needed!" when you post your story, and we will be in touch to add the character you need.

November 28

Never Have I Ever: This game requires a partner. Pick a character, then ask your partner to prompt them with an action. You must then decide whether or not your character has ever done that, and create a fanwork about it.

November 29

Lighting candles: Many late autumn and winter holidays feature lights to brighten the darkness. Create a fanwork featuring use of candles, lamps, or other artificial lights.

November 30

Tuesday try: Try out a new form of fanwork. If you’re a writer, attempt some art. If you’re an artist, give writing a go. (Remember that there are many forms of fanworks such as moodboards, playlists, fabric crafts, or cookery. You’re not limited to ‘writing or art’.)

December 1

Wishlist Wednesday: In addition to working on a wishlist request, working on assignments for one of the many fandom exchanges happening at this time of year also fulfills Wishlist Wednesday. (To get the stamp, make sure one of the mods knows you’re creating for an exchange.)

December 2

Decorations: Decorations help set the scene for the party, but someone has to make them! Create a fanwork featuring art or artists.

December 3

Feedback Friday: Give feedback for a creator you’ve never given feedback before.

December 4

Only Starlight: There are times or places in the Legendarium lit only by starlight. For the elves used to the light of the Two Trees, the Darkening was a catastrophic event. But for other elves, and some dwarves and Men, life by starlight was normal. Create a fanwork set in one of these times or places.

December 5

Riddles: Answers are to be guessed, not given.

December 6

Meta Monday: Create a piece of meta.

December 7

It Is Said: Try a fanwork or two from a rec list.

December 8

Wishlist Wednesday: Work on a fanwork fulfilling a wishlist request or exchange assignment.

December 9

Tradition: Most holidays have traditions associated with them. Invent or expand on some traditions in the Legendarium.

December 10

Feedback Friday: Give feedback to a fanwork that currently has no feedback.

December 11

Small Watercraft: Create a fanwork centered on a rare pairing. Small watercraft of all sorts welcome, from pool noodles to sailboats.

December 12

Scavenger Hunt: This reading challenge presents you with a list of things that can be found in Tolkien's works, and it is up to you to locate them. Choose from Easy, Intermediate, or Difficult.

Easy: apples, candles, coins, evergreen trees, fire, fireworks, gifts, holly, lights, singing, wine

Intermediate: Find the above items plus bells, candy, fried food, goose, logs, mention of a Legendarium holiday, oil, toast, and toys

Difficult: Find the above items plus cardamom, chimney, icicles, mistletoe, oranges, plums, and tinsel. (You may need to resort to fanworks to find one of these items - but we're not giving away which one!)

December 13

Holiday Music: What would a holiday be without the tunes we associate with it? Put together a playlist for a Legendarium holiday.

December 14

Tuesday Try: Explore a new facet of the Legendarium. If you’re normally into elves, spend some time among the dwarves. If the Third Age is your thing, try the Second or First. Never been to Numenor? Now’s your chance.

December 15

Wishlist Wednesday: Work on a fanwork fulfilling a wishlist request or exchange assignment.

December 16

Gift-giving: From hobbits to Galadriel to Sauron (excuse us, Annatar), there is plenty of gift-giving in the Legendarium. Create a fanwork that features gifts or their givers.

December 17

Feedback Friday: Leave feedback on a fanwork you’re re-reading/re-experiencing - one you’ve read/seen/heard before but liked so much you came back for seconds or more.

December 18

The Moon: Create a fanwork prominently featuring the moon.

December 19

Truth or Dare - This game requires a partner or group. The player creating the fanwork picks a character. Another player challenges them “Truth or Dare”.  The creator then chooses truth or dare and creates a fanwork responding to the question or dare given.

December 20

Meta Monday: Give us a behind the scenes look at one of your fanworks.

December 21

The Sun: Create a fanwork prominently featuring the sun.

December 22

Wishlist Wednesday: Work on a fanwork fulfilling a wishlist request or exchange assignment.

December 23

Sweaters: With the cold part of the year upon us in the Northern Hemisphere, it's sweater weather. Create a fanwork involving a sweater. (Or if you're an ambitious knitter, create a sweater.)

December 24

Feedback Friday: Leave feedback on a fanwork created for this challenge.

December 25

A Long-Expected Party: Bilbo's 111th birthday. Arwen's wedding. Mereth Aderthad. The 'we saved the world, let's party' at the end of pretty much any Age. There's plenty of celebrations to look forward to in the Legendarium. Create a fanwork about one such event.

December 26

Tales That Really Matter: Ted Sandyman may scoff at fireside-tales and children's stories, but Sam - and Tolkien - believed that the tales we tell each other, the ones handed down from generation to generation, really matter. Create a fanwork featuring a tale that matters, whether to you personally or to Middle-earth as a whole.

December 27

Movie Soundtracks: From the Rankin-Bass Hobbit film to Howard Shore's scores, adaptations of Tolkien's works have always included music. Listen to your favorite soundtrack piece(s) and create something inspired by the music.

December 28

Tuesday Try: Dip a toe into a new genre.

December 29

Wishlist Wednesday: Work on a fanwork fulfilling a wishlist request or exchange assignment.

December 30

Games: Many parties feature games. We’ve done our best to be good hosts by suggesting a few. But there are many, many games out there. Create a fanwork involving a game, whether it’s one mentioned in the legendarium or one which you have just now made up.

December 31

For Auld Lang Syne: Look back at times gone by, whether in a new fanwork or by taking stock of what you've accomplished in your fan endeavors in the past year. Share it and let us take a cup of kindness.

January 1

Fresh Starts: From new realms to new Ages, there's many fresh starts and new beginnings in the Legendarium. Create a fanwork about a fresh start, big or small.

January 2

Instadrabbling: Live Event. We will gather for instadrabbling on the SWG Discord. Prompts will be from the Gnome Tome and/or Holiday Party challenges. There will be two sessions, one starting 10:00 EST, the other starting 16:00 EST. There is no set end time - we will pin all prompts and continue as long as there is interest!

January 3

Meta Monday: Create a fanwork based on a piece of meta.

January 4

Anything Could Happen: You never know what could happen next at a party - or in a fanwork. Create a fanwork in which things take an unexpected turn.

January 5

Wishlist Wednesday: Work on a fanwork fulfilling a wishlist request or exchange assignment.

January 6

Leftovers: Holiday meals often end with leftovers - as does creating. Whether it's that plot bunny you've had sitting around for ages, a snippet you had to cut out from a story but saved for later, or an idea you've had in the back of your mind but never had time to draw, warm up and serve some leftovers!

January 7

Calendars: As in the real world, there are multiple calendars in the Legendarium. We hear about the Shire-reckoning, the reckoning of Rivendell, and various names for seasons and days of the week used by elves and Men. Create a fanwork in which the calendar or which calendar is in use plays an important role.

January 8

Dancing: Get out on the dance floor for one more turn before the band/DJ calls it a night! Create a fanwork featuring dancing.

January 9

Live Reading: We’re closing out the challenge with a live event on the SWG Discord to give creators a chance to show off works created for the challenge. Artists, we’re also happy to have you show and talk about your work - this isn’t just for the writers. Join us at 10:00 EST to showcase your work. There is a sign-up sheet here if you know you'd like to read or showcase. (As always, there will be ‘open mic’ time.) We ask that everyone limit themselves to 5 minutes in the interests of making sure everyone has a chance to share.

January 10

Clean Up: Alas, the party's over, and someone has to clean up. We're playing Chip the Glasses Crack the Plates in honor of those brave souls. Create a fanwork that deals with cleaning up, whether it's routine chores, the aftermath of a party, or perhaps even the beginning of a new Age.