Solid wood housewarming gift ideas

In short

A good housewarming gift is used from the very first dinner, suits any interior and lasts as long as the new home. Solid wood ticks all three boxes. Our ideas, by budget:

• Under €30: the pebble catch-all tray, the mug coasters, the serving tray, the set of 5 bottle openers.
• €30 to €60: an oak or ash cutting board, the fruit bowl.
• Over €60: the walnut board, the magnetic knife block, and our gift sets, including one designed for the occasion: the La Crémaillère gift set.

Where does "crémaillère" come from?

In France, a housewarming is called a "crémaillère". In the 16th century, the crémaillère was a notched iron rod hung in the fireplace to adjust the height of the cooking pot over the fire. Once the house was finished, it was inaugurated with a meal to thank the family, friends and neighbours who had helped. Fireplaces have left our kitchens, but the expression has stayed: "pendre la crémaillère" means celebrating your new home with the people you love.

What makes a good housewarming gift

• It is useful straight away. After a move, the kitchen is rarely complete: a useful object finds its place from the first meal.
• It goes with everything. You do not yet know the new decor; wood goes with everything.
• It lasts. A housewarming opens a new chapter: better an object that will still be there in ten years than a gadget.
• It travels well. Nothing to carry on the metro: you can have it delivered straight to their new address.

Under €30

• The solid oak pebble catch-all tray. In a new home, keys do not yet know where to land. This 16 cm pebble gives them a place in the hallway.
• The mug coasters, set of 4, in light oak or heat-treated ash. They protect the new table from cup rings and sweating glasses.
• The heat-treated ash serving tray. Twenty centimetres by ten for serving the first coffee in the new kitchen.
• The set of 5 magnetic bottle openers. One for the fridge, one for the bar, and the rest to hand out the same evening.

€30 to €60

• The 25 × 18 cm oak board or its twin in heat-treated ash, for bread, cheese and quick cutting jobs. Side by side, they make a light and dark pair.
• The Ø 20 cm oak fruit bowl. In the middle of the new table, it holds fruit during the week, almonds and olives when friends drop by.
• The large 40 × 30 cm oak board, with a juice groove: the everyday board, often the first thing missing in a new kitchen.

Over €60

• The 31 × 20 cm walnut board. Walnut stands out from across the room: it is the board you bring out to carve the roast in front of your guests.
• The thick 45 × 30 × 3 cm oak board, for those who host eight or more.
• The magnetic oak knife block. The kind of object you never buy for yourself. Its magnets hold the blade by its flat side, never touching the edge: see our magnetic versus slotted knife block comparison.

Our ready-made gift sets

Each gift set brings several pieces together for less than buying them separately, and each piece arrives in its own box.

• The La Crémaillère gift set: magnetic oak knife block, 4 heat-treated ash mug coasters and a pebble catch-all tray. Designed for the occasion: the block on the worktop, the coasters on the table, the pebble in the hallway.
• The Le Petit Matin gift set: fruit bowl, 4 mug coasters and serving tray, for the first breakfasts in the new kitchen.
• The L'Heure de l'Apéritif gift set: heat-treated ash board, serving tray, 5 bottle openers and pebble catch-all tray, for those who celebrate their housewarming over drinks.
• The Le Comptoir gift set: fruit bowl, serving tray, catch-all tray and 4 mug coasters, for those who entertain often and at short notice.
• The La Grande Tablée gift set: knife block, fruit bowl, ash board and 4 mug coasters. The big gift, ideal as a joint present from friends or colleagues.

Depending on the hosts

• The couple who cook: the large oak board and the magnetic knife block, or simply the La Crémaillère gift set.
• Those who entertain: the walnut board, or the L'Heure de l'Apéritif gift set.
• The first flat: compact pieces that take up little space, such as the catch-all tray, the 25 × 18 cm board or the mug coasters.
• The joint present: the La Grande Tablée gift set, four pieces for the whole home.

Three tips before giving

1. Find out discreetly what they already have: a third cutting board will please less than a fruit bowl.
2. Think about care. Add a note to remind them that wood is washed by hand and never goes in the dishwasher; our 5 care tips fit on one page.
3. Have it delivered to them by entering their address when you order. Delivery is free in France from €35 and across the EU from €99.

Frequently asked questions

Should you bring a gift to a housewarming?

It is not compulsory, but it is customary to arrive with something for the home. A useful, durable object stays around much longer than a bouquet.

How much should I spend?

There is no rule. For a friend, an object under €30 does the job perfectly; for close family or a joint present, a gift set marks the occasion.

Can the gift be delivered directly to the hosts?

Yes: enter their address as the delivery address. Delivery is free in France from €35 and across the EU from €99.

Does solid wood suit every interior?

Light oak suits bright interiors, walnut and heat-treated ash darker or more contemporary ones. The light and dark pair works everywhere.

Le Beau Marius, beau · bon · durable. Kitchenware made in Europe. 10-year guarantee. lebeaumarius.com