Podcast Summary: Classical Stuff You Should Know

Episode 291: J.R.R. Tolkien’s "Letters from Father Christmas"

Date: December 23, 2025
Hosts: AJ Hanenberg, Graeme Donaldson, Thomas Magbee

Episode Overview

In this festive episode, the hosts dive into the lesser-known but deeply endearing work of J.R.R. Tolkien: Letters from Father Christmas. They explore the origins, charm, and evolution of these annual letters Tolkien wrote and illustrated for his children between 1920 and 1943. The discussion extends to Tolkien’s legacy as a father and creator, the nature of family traditions, and the poignancy of children growing up and leaving behind youthful wonders. The episode is filled with warmth, good-natured ribbing, and a sense of genuine admiration for Tolkien’s dedication to family, storytelling, and creativity.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Introduction to the Episode & Tolkien’s Background

• The hosts clarify the podcast is mostly about books and the classical world, with their usual self-deprecating humor.
• Initial banter includes Tolkien’s background:
  • Philologist and lover of languages
  • Friend of C.S. Lewis & member of the Inklings
  • Fought in World War I
  • Renowned for The Hobbit, Lord of the Rings, as well as significant translations (Beowulf, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight)
  • Emphasis on Tolkien’s "cool" personal insignia and his passion for ancient and Norse literature
• (05:07) Graeme on Tolkien’s Beowulf:

  “If you want accuracy, and I think romance is the right way to put it, then read Tolkien’s [translation]. It’s cool. It’s beautiful.”

2. Genesis and Nature of "Letters from Father Christmas"

• The letters span from 1920 to 1943, originally for Tolkien’s four children: John, Michael, Christopher, and Priscilla.
• Each year, the children received detailed, illustrated letters "from Father Christmas."
• Is Father Christmas the same as Santa Claus?
  • Discussion on the origin and evolution of Father Christmas vs. St. Nicholas/Santa.
  • (13:43) Thomas:

    “It’s like a fairy.”

  • AJ:

    “Now I'd say it's functionally merged at this point.”

• The letters are both magical and mundane, often including domestic details, mishaps, and gentle humor.

3. Tolkien the Father: Domestic Traditions & Artistic Gifts

• Letters started simple and evolved in length, detail, and cast of characters (notably the recurring North Polar Bear, elves, and goblins).
• (16:01) Illustration description:

  Thomas: “He’s trudging in the snow... big old beard, red hood with a point on it... his little house looks like a tent completely covered with snow, but got little red windows.”

• Tolkien altered his handwriting to be distinctively shaky in the letters, adding to their believability as coming from an old Father Christmas.
• Family discussion: All three hosts share personal family Christmas traditions, underscoring the meaningfulness of unique, family-made customs.

4. The Magic of the Letters:

• 1925 Letter Highlight:
  • A major “event” where the North Polar Bear, trying to help, breaks the North Pole and falls into the house, causing chaos and broken presents.
  • Artistic call-outs: Tolkien’s illustrations are lauded as “incredible” and “gorgeous”—hosts marvel at the quality.
  • Notable feature: The letters sometimes include “postscripts” written in a childlike scrawl “by” the polar bear, humorously thick and ungainly.
  • (25:58) Thomas:

    “The polar bear is now, he’s now getting in on this!”

• The stories and world-building in these letters foreshadow themes and methods Tolkien develops in his later works (expanding mythology, invented languages, fantasy adventure).

5. Evolution Toward Goodbye:

• As Tolkien’s children age, the letters become less frequent and more reflective.
• The final letter (1943) is bittersweet, directly addressing Priscilla and acknowledging the impending end of the tradition as children grow up:
  • (34:32) Thomas:

    “Didn’t want no lame letters from Santa.”

  • (36:47) AJ (reading Tolkien):

    “After this, I shall have to say goodbye, more or less... but I am very glad to hear that you are still not really miserable... don’t be. I am still very much alive and shall come back... as merry as ever.”

6. Reflections on Family, Tradition, and Growing Up

• The hosts reflect on the natural, even necessary, bittersweetness of moving on from childhood traditions as one matures:
  • (37:28) Thomas:

    “Sad but necessary.”

  • (46:31) AJ:

    “I think there is something really positive and hopeful about entering adulthood out of childhood. And there’s a sadness of leaving behind what you had, but...”

• They celebrate the “artifacts” of family culture, like Tolkien’s letters, as deeply meaningful and distinct from mass-produced or commercial traditions.
• (40:48) Thomas:

  “You want to encourage those [unique family traditions] as opposed to like, I don’t know, the industrial Elf on the Shelf complex taking over these Christmas traditions. Like, you want these emergent things to come out of family cultures.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• AJ (01:15): “We’re talking about a book. What would you call it? It has pages and a cover. It’s a collection of letters... called Letters from Father Christmas by a Mr. J.R.R. Tolkien.”
• Graeme (14:18): “It’s copyrighted by Macy’s.”
• Thomas (19:25): “Amanda and I do the 12 days of Christmas... two little reindeer that show up on every card... One’s a super excited reindeer, one’s sort of sardonic...”
• AJ (39:10): “I don’t have the artistic skills that Tolkien does... But I do have that thought of... what is the thing that you are leaving behind that you can be remembered for?”
• Thomas (41:28): “It’s not as charming and meaningful as the one that comes out of the individual genius of the mother and father producing for their kids.”

Important Timestamps

• 00:15–02:08: Podcast’s origin, Tolkien’s background, hosts’ banter
• 05:07–06:10: On Tolkien’s translation of Beowulf and its romance
• 07:26–09:20: How Tolkien’s stories emerged from fatherhood and grew into classic books
• 10:11–12:57: Defining Father Christmas vs. Santa Claus; family traditions
• 16:01–17:40: First letter’s illustration and subterfuge in handwriting
• 21:13–26:01: Growth in letter complexity & the introduction of the North Polar Bear
• 29:17–30:57: "Rory Borealis" fireworks incident and its fantastical illustration
• 33:20–34:47: 1932 letter: Expansion into fantasy adventure, new characters, invented language
• 36:47–37:32: Final letter, the fading out of the tradition, and emotional closure
• 40:48–42:00: On unique family traditions vs. commercialized ones

Episode Tone & Style

• Warm, collegial, humorous, and affectionate. The hosts balance erudition with easy self-deprecation, making complex literary discussion accessible.
• Reflective and poignant during moments discussing the fading of childhood traditions.
• Visually evocative as they describe Tolkien’s illustrations and their emotional effect.

Takeaways for the Listener

• Letters from Father Christmas offers a glimpse into the personal, whimsical, and loving side of Tolkien—a side apart from his grand epics.
• The letters are a testament to the power of family traditions and small, creative gestures that leave a lasting mark far beyond one’s lifetime.
• There’s value, perhaps even necessity, in allowing children (and oneself) to gracefully transition from the enchantments of youth to the responsibilities and realities of adulthood.
• While common, commercial traditions can be wonderful, it is the unique, often quirky traditions of individual families that become the most meaningful and memorable.

Recommended for:

• Anyone interested in Tolkien, parenting, family traditions, or the art of meaningful, personal gift-giving.
• Those searching for inspiration to craft their own family “artifacts” or rituals that will endure into the next generation.