If there is even the remotest chance that someone in your life enjoys Lord of the Rings, then you owe it to them to indulge in a Lord of the Rings themed set of salt and pepper shakers. The sets are available at NeatoShop, and the entire fellowship appears to be flying off the shelf.

Summer is a season of erratic celebrations and gift giving (not unlike the sage of the Lord of the Rings). There are graduations, weddings, lawn parties, birthdays, and there seems to a set for almost every occasion.  It might even be the perfect gift for Father’s Day.

Of course, these terrifically-realized culinary spice cellars can do more than just remind fathers that their children do them much honor. The Gandalf and Saruman set can symbolize the conflict between just about any one, including rivaling co-workers. (And yes, You shall not PASS… the salt.)

Believe it or not, but the pairing of Frodo and Galadriel is the graduation gift to rule all graduation gifts. How better than to bind the graduate to a brilliant future?

For the more traditionally themed gift, perhaps for that upcoming summer wedding, there is the Aragon and Arwen set.

And who doesn’t like Gollum? While he (it?) may be paired with Samwise, I say you tell people that it’s really Smeagol or Deagol or Hobbit number 7, which ever you think makes the most sense.

Borimir, Gimli, and Legalos round out the offerings and, let’s face it, this is for when the one set of LOTR salt and pepper shakers just won’t do but rather you need to give the entire set. The recipient can then enjoy a different reminder of Middle-earth at each meal.

Just as every meal can use a dash of salt, every occasion can use the magnificence of the Lord of the Rings.  Bring on summer and pass the salt! Which one is your favorite?

Awesome Gifts: Lord of the Rings Salt & Pepper Shakers

In celebration of Star Wars Day (May 4th), we’ve decided to give away a Star Wars prize pack (pictured below)! The prize pack includes:

• The hardcover edition of Star Wars Frames: LINK ($95)
• A talking Chewbacca Plush Ball from Underground Toys: LINK ($19)
• The Millennium Falcon Magnetic Bottle Opener: LINK ($28)

To win our Star Wars prize pack of Awesomeness, all you need to do is answer this single question in the comments below. To pick the winner, we will choose our favorite answer of the bunch.

Who would win in an epic fight between Yoda, Gandalf and Dumbledore? And why? (1 supporting character is welcome to join in the battle.)

Enter our May the 4th Be With You Star Wars Giveaway!

Is this the one LEGO set to rule them all? The company that enjoys torturing people who walk around barefoot has announced an epic, 2,300+ piece LEGO set of the Tower of Orthanc seen in the Lord of the Rings films. For those of you who can’t tell a hobbit from an elf, that’s the giant tower where Gandalf the Grey is imprisoned by Saruman the White.

For the Stephen Colberts of the world, this LEGO set includes the Great Eagle that saved Gandalf, an Ent tree character with swinging arms for some tower-smashing fun and characters such as the Orc Pitmaster, an Uruk-hai, Grima Wormtongue, Saruman and Gandalf. The characters also come with a variety of tiny weapons, including a few wizard staffs.

The six floors featured within the Tower of Orthanc have been modeled after the set design used by Peter Jackson in the Lord of the Rings trilogy. These rooms include the entrance hall, the dungeon, the attic, the library, the alchemy room and Saruman’s throne room.

There are a number of neat features within the set that can be activated as well. For instance, a trap door will send guests of the tower into the dungeon.

In addition, doors can swing open, staircases fold up and a LEGO light brick activates a glowing effect in the palantir. You can check out a video of the team that worked on the set here.

Perfect for a Lord of the Rings fanatic, this is easily one of the most ambitious LOTR projects taken on by LEGO. Previous adaptations of the films include a 1,300+ piece set depicting The Battle for Helm’s Deep and a 700+ piece set of The Mines Of Moria. The Tower of Orthanc set is scheduled to be released during July 2013 for a retail price of $199.99. However, it may be too challenging for young kids, hence LEGO’s 14+ rating. However, big kids who may or may not happen to own a replica of The One Ring will freaking love it.

Images of the Tower of Orthanc LEGO set

Shut Up and Take My Money: LEGO Lord of the Rings Tower of Orthanc