It’s Christmas time again, so here are some tips for the Archer you love.
No matter how good a shot they are, new arrows are always a wonderful gift, along with a period-looking quiver, arm guard, or shooting glove. I prefer a Bear Paw glove because it breathes, so your hand doesn’t sweat.
Next, check out this pen that I found at the dollar store. It’s a stylus, a pen, a laser light, and a flashlight.
If you’ve had a long hot day on the range, how about this period-looking water cooler.
If your recipients don’t mind gag gifts, check out this Whitetail beer bottle opener.
Remember last year’s motto: GLG, which stands for Guys (and Girls) Love Gadgets! I found this multi tool with a small hatchet.
This month’s safety tip: whether you’re driving to the range or driving to Grandma’s for the holidays, these two things don’t mix.
The Æthelmearc Gazette does not endorse any vendors or products. This article is intended solely for entertainment purposes, and is entirely Arianna’s fault.
Christmas is less than two weeks away, and you say you haven’t found the perfect gift for your SCA friends and kids? Never fear, the Gazette has some great gift ideas for the medievalists in your life!
Medieval knight hoodie: look like you’re in armor even when you’re not! Bonus: keeps your nose warm! $49.99 from ThinkGeek.
Medieval battle T-Shirt: Show your love of medieval combat, art, or both! $31.65 from Zazzle.
Unicorn tapestry T-shirt: for those more interested in gentle pursuits. $20.10, also from Zazzle.
Knights of the realm wall sculpture: 13″ wall-mounted sculptures of armored men in two different designs. $35 for one or $60 for both from Design Toscano.
Lancelot and Guenevere shower curtain: make your bathroom look like an illuminated manuscript! $56.95 from CafePress. They have other medieval designs ranging from images out of the Unicorn Tapestries, to castles, weaponry, and scenes of armored men. Search on “medieval shower curtains.”
Medieval chess set: Figures include medieval knights, kings, horsemen and towers. $99.50 from Wal-Mart.
Throne: want to feel like lord of your own castle? This medieval-inspired full-size throne chair is $749 from Design Toscano plus another $97 shipping.
Glass top dragon coffee table: If you’re going to have a medieval throne, you absolutely must have a medieval coffee table to go with it. $397.86 from Wayfair.com.
And for the kids in your life, we have some more great options!
Playmobile Knights play box: start your little ones early with this set of knight and king figures. Comes with weapons (including a functional crossbow), a throne, and a carrying case. $19.99 from Kohls. If you’re feeling generous, Playmobile also offers a castle for $100.
Go Fish for Art: your kids can play Go Fish with famous renaissance art like the Mona Lisa instead of regular playing cards. $10.99 from Jet.com
Make-it-youself unicorn hobby horse: Feeling inspired and ready to do some sewing? Download this pattern to make your child their very own unicorn hobby horse. $9 from Whileshenaps on Etsy.
Knight wall art: You can decorate your kid’s wall with a 25″ x 28″ knight graphic. $17.00 from Stateofthewall on Etsy.
Knight and shields toddler bed set: Keep your little one dreaming of knightly deeds with this sheet and blanket set. $25.99 from Target.
Knight-themed books: Medieval historian Ewart Oakeshott wrote a series of books on knights and their armor, weapons, and battles. This is one of several from which you can choose. $13.95 from Barnes and Noble.
Christmas was an important time throughout medieval Europe, and many traditions developed during this period, some of which are still popular. Here are seven things you might see during Christmas in the Middle Ages, which range from cribs in Italy to trolls in Iceland, brought to you by medievalists.net.
From the same site, a post on medieval gift giving in a new exhibit at the Getty Museum can be found here.
And, because some things never change, a fourth century complaint about the expectations of gift giving from Asterius of Amasea.
If you’d like to explore the subject in more detail, check out Merovingian and Carolingian Gift Giving in the paper here.
