When Harry learned he was a wizard and made friends with people with better gift-giving skills than the Dursleys, his stocking got filled with slightly more interesting stuff. Here are the best and worst presents he ever received for Christmas...
A 50-pence piece – The Dursleys
You’ve got to admire the amount of effort the Dursleys would go to to actually not make an effort – it’s quite a skill. During Harry’s first Christmas away from his adopted family, Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia made sure Harry knew that they hadn’t forgotten about him. They sent him a 50-pence piece – a gift that says: ‘We paid more for postage and packaging than the actual gift.’
A wooden flute – Hagrid
This wooden flute came to Harry in his first year from Hagrid. As well as just being a thoughtful, hand-made gift, this also happened to be the only thing in the world that could overpower a giant, three-headed dog. Well, the only one we know about.
Christmas jumper – Mrs Weasley
Harry became an honorary member of the Weasleys. He might not have had the trademark flaming red hair, but Molly always made him feel like part of the clan with a token woolly jumper.
The Invisibility Cloak – James Potter
Inherited rather than gifted but so important to Harry, the Invisibility Cloak was the first thing he received that belonged to his father. Harry didn’t know then how important this cloak would prove, beyond sneaking into the Restricted Section of Hogwarts library.
Polyjuice Potion – Hermione
An invitation to turn into Crabbe and Goyle, during Christmas, for a cunning plan. Okay, so this wasn't a present, per se...
A toothpick – The Dursleys
To be fair, toothpicks are pretty useful.
‘Flying with the Cannons’ – Ron
An informative book stuffed with thrilling facts about the UK Quidditch team, The Chudley Cannons.
Dog biscuits – Aunt Marge
Because sometimes... Nope, there’s no way to reason with this one.
The Marauder’s Map – Fred and George
An early gift from Fred and George saw Harry bestowed with perhaps the most useful map in the world – and it just so happened to have been created by his dad, and a couple of good friends.
Nut brittle – Mrs Weasley
Molly was always on hand with the best festive sweets & treats.
The Firebolt – Sirius Black
It just so happened that the escaped wizard everyone was worried about in Prisoner of Azkaban was actually a very nice fellow called Sirius Black, who got Harry his dream broomstick for Christmas. Don’t you love it when that happens?
Socks – Dobby
It is scientific fact that at least once in every person’s life, they will have opened a Christmas present and that Christmas present will have been socks. Harry Potter is no exception. But these were from renowned sock-lover Dobby the house-elf, which wasn’t the least bit odd. Although the socks were.
A single tissue – The Dursleys
A treat for a cold in the winter and hay-fever in the summer – is it us, or did the Dursleys get softer in their old age?
‘Quidditch Teams of Britain and Ireland’ – Hermione
A great read, and a perfect gift for the Quidditch-daft Harry. Great work, Granger.
A penknife – Sirius Black
Complete with attachments to unlock any lock.
A guilt-inducing homework diary – Hermione
When opened, the diary offers such phrases as ‘Do it today, or later you'll pay!’ How fun.
‘Practical Defensive Magic and its Use Against the Dark Arts’ – Sirius and Lupin
A handy set of spell books for vanquishing Dark lords, or people who wear huge, annoying backpacks on packed buses. Alright, we may have added that last part.
A brown wallet with fangs – Hagrid
Because wallets that don’t try to attack you whenever you put money in them are so passé.
A model of a tiny Firebolt – Tonks
Do not try riding this unless you are very small also.
A hand-painted portrait of Harry – Dobby
A new ‘Mona Lisa’ for the ages. Or as Fred Weasley called it, ‘a gibbon with two black eyes’.
Maggots – Kreacher
Perhaps he had Harry down as a fervent fishing enthusiast?
