Title: Musical Party Crackers
Creator of Object: Gandalf
Medium: Cardboard tube imprinted with Dale. Also showing contents of musical instruments.
Date of manufacture: approx. S.R. 1400
Place of manufacture: DALE
Artifact Number: M-h 206
Donated by: Great-great-great grandson of the youngster Hobbit
Description: These unique musical crackers, which have the mark of DALE, were created by Gandalf and were a highlight of Bilbo Baggins’ one hundred and eleventh birthday celebration in the Shire. When pulled, they produced musical instruments that made magical sounds.
Image Copyright Information:
Photograph. ‘Musical Party Crackers.’ Medium: Cardboard tube imprinted with Dale. Manufacturer: Gandalf. Date: S.R. 1400. Original Owner: Gandalf. Photographer: Delaney Smart. Source of Object: Contents purchased from Indigo/Michaels.
A page from the journal of a youngster Hobbit:
For a Hobbit who lives in the heart of the Shire, one of the most absolute exciting events was Mr. Bilbo Baggins’ one hundred and eleventh birthday party. There was anticipation for weeks before the big day, and the news that Gandalf would be attending with his magnificent fireworks only added to the excitement. However, one of the most delightful surprises of the evening was the introduction of musical crackers.
The party was incredible and there were so many of us there – more than one hundred and forty! Tables were filled with our favorite foods, lights twinkled in the trees, and the air was filled with laughter. Although the fireworks were incredible, the musical crackers stood out as my favorite feature. These were no ordinary crackers, and the name DALE inscribed on them hinted at something mysterious that we didn’t even understand. Hundreds of the poppers were popped and they all contained perfect little instruments that made enchanting tones. There were all kinds of instruments in the poppers such as flutes, pipes and horns. My popper contained a horn and when I blew on it, the sounds that emerged joined with the hundreds of other musical instruments from the poppers and created enchanting music, bringing an extra layer of magic to the celebration.
For us Hobbits, who loved simple pleasures and community gatherings, the musical crackers were amazing. They added an unexpected touch of magic to an already enchanted evening. Each instrument had a unique melody, and as the night progressed, the air was filled with music. Brandybucks and Tooks even started up an unplanned orchestra in one corner and that prompted dance tunes and dancing of the Springle-ring.
Mr. Bilbo Baggins, our gracious host, was clearly enjoying his party and the joy that it was bringing to everyone. He had given a small speech but now he had more to say, and he grabbed my horn and let out three hoots to get everyone’s attention. We cheered him on as he toasted Frodo’s fifty first birthday, but then we all just wanted him to wrap up let us carry on with the festivities. The biggest surprise of the night was that at the end of his speech, Bilbo just vanished into thin air. His sudden disappearance, using what we would later learn was a magic ring, left us all in a state of shock. One moment he was there, the next he was gone, leaving us all with questions and no answers.
In the following days, the memory of the party and the musical crackers stayed in my mind. The party, with the music and laughter, created a fun and beautiful evening. For us hobbits, Bilbo’s one hundred and eleventh birthday party was a celebration that would be talked about for years to come.
Works Cited
Tolkien, J.R.R. The Fellowship of The Ring. Dublin Ireland: Harper Collins , 2007.