Arthur Ransome Society President Sophie Neville presents her annual round-up of the best “Swallows and Amazons”-inspired Christmas presents…

When I made a tradition of suggesting literary-themed Christmas presents I didn’t expect to find fabulous cushions like these but they have great ideas on the Redbubble website.

Did Penguin ever publish “Swallows and Amazons” or was it only Puffin?

They have a whole range of T-shirts

A tote depicting Bank Ground Farm on Coniston Water (33cm x 33cm)

or a little purse with a picture of Peel Island

I am new to Redbubble, and have not been able to examine the quality of the products for myself, but I’ve taken the step of launching my own range based on my maps and the covers of my own books.

Here is my map of Coniston, drawn to illustrate “The Making of Swallows and Amazons” on a 15? x 19? draw-string bag. 

The full range or products featuring the Coniston map can be found here.

Here is a phone case with my map of Windermere on the cover. There is also one of Coniston. They currently come with 20% off if you enter the code COVERED20

You can find the full range of products featuring the Windermere map here

This “Ride the Wings of Morning” tote bag measures 13? x 13? costs U$20

They promise to make travel mugs like these

You can see one of my attractive acrylic blocks here:

You can even buy a mini-skirt, clicking here

Since they are based in the USA and Melbourne I don’t know how long these gifts would take to reach you.

I also found “Swallows and Amazons” cuff-links available here

And this useful waterbottle with a Jago Silver version of the crossed flags here:

I came across a case for a Kindle Fire decorated with swallows on Amazon.co.uk

and swallows on a sailor’s top from Joules with a selection available at a good price on eBay here

I don’t know if “Swallows and Amazons” thimbles are still on Ebay

I am not sure Arthur Ransome’s Literary Estate know about them. They do recommend this pair of bone china coffee cups feature exquisite designs incorporating Arthur Ransome’s own illustrations from the “Swallows and Amazons” books and are currently reduced by 40% here:

The Nancy Blackett Trust also sell these wonderful teatowels, along with other designs.

You could give someone an activity, such as a sail in Swallow, the original dinghy used in the 1974 film “Swallows and Amazons”. She is currently in Kendal so you could ask to go sailing on Coniston or Windermere. This can be booked through SailRansome.com

A member of the Arthur Ransome Group on Facebook has asked for a new DVD that has just come out on the location described by Arthur Ransome in his book ‘Secret Water’. It is available here.

Please click here and scroll down for ideas collected in 2017

Present ideas suggested in 2016

Nothing to do with “Swallows and Amazons”, but I have a short piece in this Christmas book, which might prove useful if you need to hold a carol service and are looking for some new readings. It makes a good present for anyone who loves stories. check it out on Kindle, order a copy from your library or buy one online here.

Very Happy Christmas to one and all!

Originally published by Sophie Neville.