Swallows and Amazons gifts

Swallows and Amazons birthday party and birthday present ideas

Holding an outdoor party with a Swallows and Amazons theme is a great idea, especially if your guests are up for bringing their own tents. A (sensible) campfire and either swimming or archery with geo-cashing or a treasure hunt will keep your guests occupied. Everyone can dress up as explorers or pirates.

There have been some wonderful cake designs posted on Facebook. This impressive creation was put together by Evie and Sam Rose:

Over the years the most amazing ‘Swallows and Amazons’ creations have become quite famous. I have put up a few more ideas on Pinterest here

The cookery book writer and ‘Great British Bake Off’ finalist Miranda Gore Browne transformed her garden into Wild Cat Island, served iced buns and a cake worthy of a pirate feast, sending everyone home with old-fashioned sweets in a tin mug. You can see some of her wonderful party ideas here

Miranda Gore Browne mugs

You could hang ‘Swallows and Amazons’ flags or bunting. The Gingerbread House show you how to make these:

Pippa Middelton and her family, who are related to Arthur Ransome, have a company called Party Pieces who have loads of ideas for Pirate Parties on their blog here. They cater for the younger age group but do sell chocolate pieces of eight and a retractable telescope very like Titty’s is available from their website for only £2.99. I liked the idea of an inflatable parrot, although properly it should be a green one.

I found these 38mm badges and fridge magnets for sale on eBay. They’ve used my own drawing of the crossed flags, without permission, but never mind. They might be something fun to award as prizes for games such as ‘Walk the Plank’ or catching crabs, which you could do literally if you live by the sea. You might find a few ideas for party games here.

I’ve been collecting further ideas for Swallows and Amazons presents. The Nancy Blackett Trust shop has some great things for sale, stocking these porcelain mugs, T-shirts and hats for Amazon pirates of all ages, sometimes stocking these:

StudioCanal have broadened their collection of movie memorabilia on offer to include cushions. They also sell mugs, mouse mats, prints and 400-piece jigsaw puzzels. I like these 300 piece jigsaws.

A scene with the Swallows from Swallows and Amazons — *-A scene with the Swallows from ‘Swallows and Amazons’ (1974) –*

I once found this lovely design for Swallows and Amazons bags made by Rachel:

Swallows and Amazons bag made by Rachel

I’ve listed more gift ideas here

A year’s subscription of Classic Sailor magazine makes a good present for adults as it keeps coming all year.

Why not give a year’s membership to The Arthur Ransome Society? For information please click here.

Or chose a book. They always make good presents.

The Making of Swallows and Amazons' by Sophie Neville

~Sophie Neville at Aldeburgh Bookshop~

Swallows and Amazons themed gifts and presents

I’ve been collecting further ideas for Swallows and Amazons presents.

Kate Lowe of Bagsymefirst has brought out these pocket mirrors carefully made form re-cycled book pages.

Kate also makes a handbags out of old books – and will make up your favourite. She says, ‘The last one was made for a bridesmaid at a sailing-themed wedding.’ Please click here for her sales site.

While a DVD of a film or a book makes a good present, the illustrator Jago Silver has brought out some wonderful Swallows and Amazons notebooks perfect for keeping a ship’s log:

sketchbook by Jago Silver

as well as inspiring enamel mugs in two designs:

Swallows and Amazons mug designed by Jago Silver

Swallows and Amazons mug by Jago Silver

Jago’s other nautical mugs and and limited edition screen prints, which you can spot on his website here.

Print by Jago Silver

The Nancy Blackett Trust have a shop, the proceeds of which go towards the upkeep of Arthur Ransomes’s favourite little ship. Their new items including beautiful coffee mugs and lovely tea towels – can be viewed by clicking here.

Nancy blackett product shop

If you know anyone who has pierced ears you can find appropriate Literary Gifts here They also sell Swallow broaches.

swallows_amazons_typewriter_earrings_1024x1024

‘Little bookish things can make up pendants featuring your favourite book cover, please click here for the site. There are cufflinks, pendants and makeup bags can be found on Esty here. They also had these little dollshouse miniature books that open, with blank pages inside.

Dolls House Minatures

The Arthur Ransome Trust can make up ‘Swallows and Amazons’ T-shirts

As I’ve mentioned elsewhere, StudioCanal offer a selection of mugs, puzzels, prints, mousemats and film posters on their website here. If you search around the site you can find stills from the film made into similar merchandise, click here for an example.

Swallows and Amazons mugs — Mugs printed with maps used to illustrate Sophie’s books

I made up a selection of mugs and other useful gifts featuring maps of Swallows and Amazon locations that are featured in my book on ‘The Making of Swallows and Amazons’:

the-making-of-swallows-and-amazons-1974-by-sophie-neville

Another idea would be to give a year’s membership to The Arthur Ransome Society. For information please click here.

President of The Arthur Ransome Society

Sophie Neville, Member of TARS

Ideas for Swallows & Amazons Christmas Presents

book-page-brooch of swallow

Isn’t this brooch lovely?

It has been handmade out of recycled materials with pages from old books and can be purchased direct from House of Ismay

wooden_postcard_swallows_and_amazons_large

A small brown paper package tied up with string arrived in the post today, stamped in red with the words Thank you and containing four wooden postcards featuring Arthur Ransome’s illustrations. I think it makes a wonderful stocking-filler or thank you gift from The Wooden Postcard Company

CDs of Swallows and Amazons

I was also asked about CDs of Arthur Ransome’s books today; a great present for families as they can be listened to on long car journeys. Click here for the series read by Gabriel Woolf.

The Nancy Blackett by Claudia Myatt

The Nancy Blackett Trust shop has a range of books and useful things including tea towels ideal for any sailor. Proceeds go to the upkeep of Arthur Ransome’s well-loved yacht portrayed in his books as the Goblin. Orders for the USA and Canada need to reach them by Friday 11th Dec.

Sophie Neville with Titmouse in Norfolk — Sophie Neville on a TARS weekend in Norfolk – photo Diana Dicker

Alternatively you could give someone a year’s membership of The Nancy Blackett Trust or The Arthur Ransome Society or a subscription to a magazine such as Classic Sailor

Mugs featuring Swallow in Secret Harbour from ‘Swallows and Amazons’

StudioCanal stock mugs with photos from the film, along with jigsaw puzzles and prints. You can even order a mousemat.

And, as Joanna Lumley says, books always made a wonderful present.

9780718894962_cover Amazons.indd

I have been signing copies of ‘The Making of Swallows & Amazons’ and other books at Stroud Christian Book Festival and charity events. It can be ordered from local bookshops, Waterstones or purchased online.