Mice Cheese Knife Set from first Christmas with The Hubby’s family
My very first Christmas with The Hubby and his family, I received a bunch of cheese-centric gifts from just about everyone and was touched by their thoughtfulness. I loved each item and the person who took the time and care to find them for me. It had nothing to do with how much they cost, or where they came from, it was all about the heart and love that went into the gift. I was the new girl, the crazy cheese-loving stranger in their home who they didn’t know from anyone, yet they knew one thing: I loved cheese. And they love cheese too, which made finding gifts a bit easier. So what is an easy gift for that cheese lover on the list? The one thing no fromage freak can ever have too much of? Cheese knives and boards! I know it’s getting late for Christmas shopping and the weather outside is pretty darn frightful, but these suggestions are easy and probably available right in that neighborhood gift shop you’ve walked by a dozen or so times and never stopped in. Well, why not stop in today?
Dansk Wood Classics Vivianna Cheeseboard from K&H Home in Clarkston, MI
First up is the Wood Classics Vivianna Cheeseboard set by Dansk. I’ve had my eye on for a while now due to its midcentury modern simplicity and the great feel of the knife. I found this board at K&H Home in Clarkston, Michigan, however I have seen them in other shops as well as online. $58.00.
Laguiole Cheese Knives at Rail & Anchor in Royal Oak, MI
There is no denying Laguiole cheese knives make great gifts and are just stunning, but depending on the set, they can be rather expensive. I happened on this great set a few months back and for $54.00, that ain’t too shabby. For those in the Detroit area, Rail & Anchor in Royal Oak, MI carries them. I have also found Laguiole sets in HomeGoods, of all places. The sets are not as swanky as this one, but as a stocking stuffer for $24.94, that’s a bargain!
Also at Rail & Anchor, is this gorgeous cloche and cheese plate, ideal for those more formal occasions. I normally don’t go for items with wording, however this Fromage Du Mont Dore bell just had me at hello. A bit pricey at $68.00, but for those who want to make a statement, ring-a-ding-ding.
Mezza Cheese Cutter from Crate & Barrel
Live near a Crate & Barrel? How lucky is that! They have some fun and funky cheese knives and boards just waiting to be placed under the tree, and they’re reasonably priced as well. Some of my favorites are the Mezza Cheese Cutter with its funky old-world industrial shape. For $24.95, it’s not too shabby.
Medium Slate Cheese Board from Crate & Barrel
Pair that with this simple yet smart Medium Slate Board. Every cheese lover should have a slate serving board – probably more than one. I misplaced my square slate a year ago and have felt lost without it ever since. At $19.95, this is a great deal.
Wood and Marble Square Platter from Crate & Barrel
Want to add some flair to the table? Try this marble and wood number as a nice change to the standard wood or slate cheese board gift for $29.95.
All these are available in store, however, check online to be sure of stock levels. They can even place them on hold for in-store pickup.
Not worried about time or still want to make it a bit more personal? Let’s not for get good old Etsy. I love that site and find the best stuff there, however, shipping costs and turnaround are not always in one’s favor during the holidays. Here are some of my favorite local Etsy finds (meaning those in the Detroit area). Look on More Ways to Shop on Etsy’s site to find local listers in your area.
Forged steel Cheese knife Chopper from TheRustShack
This little cheese knife from The Rust Shack is made of forged steel and just really captured my heart. Small but strong, tough yet possessing a bit of girlish flair, this tool is sharp and dark. $38.00 may be a hefty price for a cheese knife I’ve yet to try out, but this Rust Belt gal may just have to give it a go.
Celtic Boar cheese board set by VikingHillTraders
Many of us have a renaissance fair lover in or a role-playing gamer in the family – that special someone who speaks elvish and insists on wearing full armor to formal events instead of a suit or tuxedo. That person who eats only old world foods is probably also a cheese lover. Trust me, they are. So here is a great Celtic Boar cheese board set from Viking Hill Traders that will have them proclaiming “Winter Is Coming!” and “Huzzah!” as they raise their cup of mead or wassail. Again, all of what I just said will make perfect sense to them, so just go with it and get this for them. For $25.oo, they may even ask to handfast with you. Okay, let’s move on.
Hand forged cheese slicer by WatkinsForge
Finally, this hand forged cheese slicer from Watkins Forge is just simple perfection. I bought one a few months ago and just love it. It is almost too beautiful to use and when I said so, The Hubby just shook his head and reminded me tools are designed to be used. Each slicer is a bit different, so be aware that the one sent may not exactly like the picture, but it will still be elegant and wonderful.
I realize there are many more knives and boards out there ranging in price and practicality that may be added to your own list, including the hundreds of variations of olive wood boards seen in almost every wine shop in every small town, or melted and flattened wine bottles turned into cheese boards (not really my thing). I am aware that some of the best cheese knives on the market can come with price tags into the hundreds and even thousands of dollars, however, as I said in the beginning of this post, this is about gifts for cheese lovers and the ones we love. Not necessarily cheese workers, cheese aficionados or even ourselves. We can revisit the $1,300 cheese knife set another day. Today, let your heart be light and think about that cheese-crazy stranger coming over next week for Christmas dinner. They will appreciate the sentiment. I know I sure did.
