When you’re looking for a great gift, you can’t beat the beauty and appeal of wood. Whether it’s intended for a fifth wedding anniversary present or a decorative element in a personal den or office, wood has a luster and look that can’t be beat. Here’s how to choose the perfect wooden gift while keeping four ideas in mind.
Find a Connection
What’s extra special to the person to whom you plan to give this gift? Find out what matters most to them in life and select a wooden gift accordingly. For example, if they’re devoted to their family, a large photograph of their family presented in a lovely frame might be ideal. If they love their country and served in the American military or a government position, a tasteful rustic wood American flag or similar flag for their den or living room has its appeal. Likewise, a wooden religious symbol for a particularly devout person can have deep meaning. Wood has a beauty and solidity that adds something more to whatever it is used to portray. Pick something that symbolizes their interests, passions, and devotion.
Pick Something That’s Useful
When considering how to choose the perfect wooden gift, don’t forget that while decorations are nice, it’s better to choose something that’s pretty and smart. If you’re looking for a simple wooden gift that’s more professional than personal, wooden office supplies can’t be beat. A desktop organizer, pen and pencil holder, file and paper holder, or another wooden device will always find a place on anyone’s desk.
Food and Drink
One thing every person needs to do is eat and drink, and fortunately, wood lends itself to many tools and accoutrements that come in handy around the kitchen and dining room. A wooden cutting board or charcuterie board is a classy and handy gift that mixes the beauty of wood with a handy device for preparing meals and feeding one’s friends and family. A set of cooking spoons made from bamboo or other woods is never unappreciated, and the same can be said for a large salad bowl with tossing spoons and a half dozen accompanying individual serving bowls. Help the recipient of the gift keep and cherish family recipes with a wooden box for recipe cards, perhaps with several family recipe cards already inside. And as ever, wooden boxes make great containers for fine liquor and gourmet foods.
Keep It Light and Fun
Wood can be used for so many fun applications. Gameboards are an eternally fun and beautiful gift, providing hours of playtime with classic games like chess, checkers, parchesi, backgammon, cribbage, and others. There are hundreds of wooden puzzles available that can act as entertaining brainteasers or lovely conversation pieces. Wood also looks great with bar gifts, such as a smart wooden box housing a set of wood-handled cocktail tools or personalized signage for a home mixing station!