Best overall
1. 50 Boards, Built by Science
Paperback $25.99 · ebook $14
Fifty complete boards, from a $25 budget board to a 30-person showstopper. Give it with a serving board and their first party is planned. More about the book
Gift guide Housewarming gifts for foodies
Gift guide · Housewarming
Housewarming gifts for foodies: 10 charcuterie ideas for a new kitchen
Quick answer: The best housewarming gift for a foodie is the kit for their first party: 50 Boards, Built by Science (paperback $25.99) with an acacia serving board, about $46 to $61. Smaller: a set of small dip bowls, a cheese plane or a 3-piece cheese knife set.
Giving a paperback? Amazon shows the delivery date at checkout. For Christmas, aim to order by mid-December.
A new home means a first party, and most people move with whatever serving pieces survived the last apartment. A board, the small bowls that go with it and a book of boards to make is a gift that gets used the first month.
Prices are typical ranges, checked October 2026. We have no paid relationship with any brand below. We wrote the Charcuterie Lab books.
Our picks at a glance
| Pick | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|
| 50 Boards, Built by Science | Best overall | $25.99 |
| An acacia wood serving board | Best board | $20–35 |
| A set of small dip bowls | Best practical | $14–22 |
| Boska Monaco+ cheese knife set | Best knife set | $30–45 |
| A slate cheese board with chalk | Best for photos | $20–30 |
| A glass cheese dome | Best for the counter | $25–45 |
| Slate coasters | Best small gift | $12–20 |
| A Norwegian cheese plane | Best under $20 | $10–18 |
| Boards for Two | Best for a couple's first place | $9.99 ebook |
| A boxed honeycomb | Best edible | $12–20 |
The full list
Best board
2. An acacia wood serving board
Typically $20–35
Dense, affordable hardwood with a warm grain. Look for 16 inches or longer. Wood vs slate vs marble
See it on AmazonBest practical
3. A set of small dip bowls
Typically $14–22
Jam, mustard, olives and nuts need small bowls, and most kitchens have two at most.
See it on AmazonBest knife set
4. Boska Monaco+ cheese knife set
Typically $30–45
Dutch cheese-tool maker Boska's best-known set, with stainless blades shaped for soft, semi-hard and hard cheese.
See it on AmazonBest for photos
5. A slate cheese board with chalk
Typically $20–30
Black slate makes every cheese and meat stand out, and you can write the names right on it. Wood vs slate vs marble
See it on AmazonBest for the counter
6. A glass cheese dome
Typically $25–45
Keeps a cut wedge covered on the counter while it comes to room temperature.
See it on AmazonBest small gift
7. Slate coasters
Typically $12–20
They match a slate board and take a sweating glass without a ring.
See it on AmazonBest under $20
8. A Norwegian cheese plane
Typically $10–18
Shaves paper-thin slices of Gouda, Jarlsberg or Gruyère. Cheap, useful every day, and most people don't own one.
See it on Amazon
Best for a couple's first place
9. Boards for Two
Ebook $9.99 · paperback coming soon
Twenty-five boards sized for two, each with a drink to pour. Lands well for a couple moving in together. More about the book
Best edible
10. A boxed honeycomb
Typically $12–20
The single prettiest thing you can put on a board. Pairs with blue cheese and aged cheddar. Best honey for cheese
See it on AmazonWhich Charcuterie Lab book for which person?
Or give it as a set
About $60–83
The housewarming gift
A first board for the new kitchen, the little bowls it needs and fifty boards to fill it.
- 50 Boards, Built by Science, paperback $25.99
- An acacia wood serving board, $20–35
- A set of small dip bowls, $14–22
Housewarming gifts for foodies: questions
What is a good housewarming gift for a foodie?
The kit for a first party: a serving board, small bowls, a cheese knife set and a book of boards to make. 50 Boards, Built by Science with an acacia board is about $46 to $61.
What size charcuterie board should I give?
16 inches or longer works for 4 to 8 people. For someone who hosts big groups, go 20 inches or more.
Wood or slate for a housewarming gift?
Wood is the safer pick: it's warmer looking, knife-friendly and lasts decades with oiling. Slate photographs beautifully but chips if dropped.
How much should I spend on a housewarming gift?
Most people spend $25 to $60. A board book alone is $25.99; with a serving board it's about $50.
Is food a good housewarming gift?
Shelf-stable food is: honeycomb, jars, nuts and a whole dry salami keep for weeks. Avoid fresh cheese, since a new fridge may be empty or not yet set up.
Free printable
"Your first board is on me" gift card
Tuck it inside the book. There's a space to write which board you'll make together, so the gift comes with a date on the calendar. Two cards per page, prints on plain paper or card stock.
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