Cheese lovers get a lot of bamboo boards with a hidden drawer full of flimsy knives. Most of them end up in a cupboard. People who care about cheese are also easy to please, because good tools for it are few and many of them sound funny the first time you hear about them.
So we looked past the giant gift-set boards to things that make cheese better to serve, to store and to share. For a board alone, see our best charcuterie board guide. We repeat no exact listing from it here.
Julia’s earns a commission on purchases made through links on this page, at no cost to you. Recommendations are based on what a restaurant kitchen looks for, product specifications, and listing and maker details, which we name where we use them.
Quick verdict: which cheese gift to buy
For almost any cheese lover, buy the Boska Copenhagen 3-Piece Knife Set, plain steel knives with one job each. For a big gift for a host, choose the Swissmar Classic Raclette Grill. For the person who has everything, choose the Boska Cheese Curler Amigo.
Five cheese gifts side by side
Five of the eight, one for each kind of cheese lover. All eight are described in full below.
| Pick | Best for | Material | Tier | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Almost any cheese lover | Stainless steel | Small to mid | View on Amazon | |
| Hosts who love a party | Cast aluminum | Splurge | View on Amazon | |
BOSKA Cheese Curler AmigoMost unusual
|
The person with everything | Beech and steel | Small to mid | View on Amazon |
Toscana Acacia Brie Cheese Board and Knife SetBest for two
|
Weeknights and picnics | Acacia | Small | View on Amazon |
Formaticum Cheese Storage Bags, 45-PackMost useful
|
Keeping good cheese | Waxed paper, polyethylene | Small | View on Amazon |
Our picks for the best gifts for cheese lovers
1. BOSKA Copenhagen Stainless Steel Cheese Knife Set, 3-Piece – One Knife for Each Kind of Cheese
A cheese lover usually has one wedding-present cheese knife and uses a butter knife for the rest. Boska is a Dutch company whose history goes back to 1896 in cheese country, per the listing, and this set gets the basics right: a cheesy knife, a soft-cheese knife and a hard-cheese knife. Each is cast in one piece of stainless steel, with no handle to come loose.
It covers hard, semi-hard and soft cheese, according to the maker, and it is dishwasher safe. Plain one-piece steel suits a modern table and is unlikely to clash with anything. It is a modest gift to spend on and can stand on its own, or go with one of the boards below.
This is a same-line reuse. A mini version of Boska’s Copenhagen set is on our best cheese knives page, and this is the fuller-size set. Someone who already owns that set won’t need this one.
Why we like it
- Three knives for three kinds of cheese
- Cast in one piece of steel
- Dishwasher safe, per the listing
- From a long-established cheese-tool maker
Key specifications
| Model | 357615 |
|---|---|
| Gift tier | Small to mid |
| What it is | Cheese knife set |
| Material | Stainless steel |
| Size or count | 3 pieces |
| Made in | Not stated |
| Care | Dishwasher safe |
| Warranty | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
It suits almost any cheese lover who sets out a board and is still using a table knife.
Skip it if they already have a set they love, or want wood handles.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Simple and durable
- Easy to clean
- Covers most cheeses
Cons
- Plain look
- Same line as on another page of ours
2. Swissmar Classic 8-Person Raclette Grill, Cast Aluminum Plate – Melted Cheese at the Table
Raclette turns melted cheese into a whole evening. Swissmar’s Classic grill melts cheese in eight small dishes while meat and vegetables cook on a reversible top, which turns over to a crepe side. It comes with eight heat-resistant spatulas and eight non-stick dishes, and the variable heat control sits on the base. It is packaged in a gift box, and the seller is Swissmar USA.
Each guest cooks their own serving at the table, so the host doesn’t have to stay in the kitchen. It needs a table with an outlet nearby, and enough storage space for the rest of the year. The warranty is one year on the listing. Certification isn’t stated in the listing details we read, so check the box or ask the seller if that matters to you.
This is a same-line reuse. The Classic with a cast iron top is on our best raclette grill page, and this is the lighter cast aluminum plate. That page also compares several other models. Raclette cheese isn’t included, so plan on a trip to the cheese counter.
Why we like it
- Serves eight
- Reversible grill and crepe top
- Spatulas and dishes included
- Variable heat control
Key specifications
| Model | KF-77041 |
|---|---|
| Gift tier | Splurge |
| What it is | Electric raclette grill |
| Material | Cast aluminum plate |
| Size or count | 8 dishes |
| Made in | Not stated |
| Care | Follow maker’s manual |
| Warranty | 1 year |
Why we recommend it
It suits a cheese lover who likes to host and has space to keep a table grill between parties.
Skip it if they rarely entertain or have nowhere to keep it.
Pros and cons
Pros
- A meal and an event
- Everyone cooks their own
- Comes ready to give
Cons
- Bulky to store
- Cheese sold separately
- Same line as on another page of ours
3. BOSKA Cheese Curler Amigo – Rosettes of Tete de Moine
This is what to buy someone who has everything. The Amigo is a girolle: a beech board with a stainless pin and a knife that turns on it, shaving a Swiss Tete de Moine into thin frilled rosettes. It works on chocolate too, per the maker, for a garnish on desserts. It comes apart for cleaning.
It is a narrow tool. It does this one thing and does nothing for a wedge of cheddar. You will also need a small wheel of Tete de Moine, which isn’t always easy to find, so it’s worth buying the cheese along with the gift if you can. A rosette on a cheese board is the kind of thing guests ask about.
We’ve chosen it as a talking point. A person who wants a practical everyday tool should get the knife set above instead.
Why we like it
- Makes thin cheese rosettes
- Beech and stainless steel
- Comes apart to clean
- Also works with chocolate
Key specifications
| Model | 850510 |
|---|---|
| Gift tier | Small to mid |
| What it is | Cheese curler |
| Material | Beech wood; stainless steel |
| Size or count | Board, knife and pin |
| Made in | Not stated |
| Care | Disassemble and clean |
| Warranty | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
It suits a real cheese enthusiast who entertains and enjoys a table trick.
Skip it if they can’t easily buy Tete de Moine, or they don’t like single-purpose tools.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Memorable gift
- Simple mechanism
- Respected maker
Cons
- Works on few cheeses
- Cheese isn’t easy to find
4. Toscana Acacia Brie Cheese Board and Knife Set – A Small Board With a Secret Drawer
Most of what’s called a cheese board these days is huge. This one by Toscana, a Picnic Time brand, measures about 7.5 inches and is meant for a wedge or a round of brie. The top swivels to reveal three stainless steel tools with acacia handles: a hard-cheese knife, a chisel knife and a cheese fork. A carved moat catches brine or juice.
It suits a couple or a person who eats cheese after dinner on a weeknight, and it fits a picnic basket as well. Picnic Time backs it with a lifetime guarantee on the listing. Our parent guide to boards goes wider, and its Picnic Time pick is a different, larger slate board.
At this size it won’t hold a party’s worth. For a crowd, look at our best charcuterie board page.
Why we like it
- Tools hide inside the board
- Moat catches brine
- Small enough for a picnic
- Lifetime guarantee on the listing
Key specifications
| Model | 879-03-512-000-0 |
|---|---|
| Gift tier | Small |
| What it is | Cheese board with tools |
| Material | Acacia wood; stainless tools |
| Size or count | 7.5 in.; 3 tools |
| Made in | Not stated |
| Care | Hand wash, as with most wood |
| Warranty | Lifetime guarantee |
Why we recommend it
It suits a couple or a solo cheese eater who wants something small for a weeknight or a picnic.
Skip it if they host big boards regularly.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Compact
- Tools stored inside
- Pretty on a table
Cons
- Too small for a party
- Listing’s care details are thin
5. Formaticum Cheese Storage Bags, 45-Pack – Let the Good Cheese Breathe
Serious cheese lovers wince at plastic wrap. Formaticum’s bags combine wax-coated paper and polyethylene, designed to let cheese breathe while holding humidity, according to the maker. Each bag is 6.25 by 11 inches and printed with spots for the type of cheese and the date, and this pack holds 45.
Nobody buys this for themselves until they’ve read about it, and that is exactly what makes it a good small gift. It’s the sort of thing a cheese person will open and immediately understand. Freshness claims are the maker’s own, and cheese stored in any wrap still has a limited life in the fridge.
It isn’t the most thrilling present on its own. Tie it up with a good wedge, and it looks like more.
Why we like it
- Printed with cheese and date
- 45 bags last a good while
- Made to let cheese breathe, per the maker
- From France, per the listing
Key specifications
| Model | 50-03-01 |
|---|---|
| Gift tier | Small |
| What it is | Cheese storage bags |
| Material | Wax-coated paper and polyethylene |
| Size or count | 6.25 x 11 in.; 45-pack |
| Made in | France, per the listing |
| Care | Single use |
| Warranty | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
It suits anyone who regularly buys good cheese and tends to find it spoiled at the back of the fridge.
Skip it if they eat cheese fast, or buy only sliced cheese.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Practical and unusual
- Good add-on gift
- Easy to label
Cons
- Not exciting alone
- Consumable
6. Mepal Modula Cheese Dome With Cutting Board – A Clear Box for the Fridge
Mepal’s dome is a storage container made for a hunk of cheese. It holds 95 ounces (2,800 milliliters), has a clear airtight lid and sits on a removable grey board you can cut on. It is BPA free and dishwasher safe, and made in Holland, per the listing. The clear lid lets you see what’s in the fridge, which helps avoid forgetting a good cheese.
The maker says it suits soft, semi-soft and hard cheeses. People have differing views about airtight storage for cheese, and some prefer the bags above, so it’s fine to give both and let the cheese lover decide. It’s a practical gift and doesn’t try to look fancy.
It is sold by Amazon Germany, so the listing is an import, and shipping times may be a little longer. It has no plugs or refills to worry about.
Why we like it
- Clear, airtight lid
- Board lifts out for cutting
- Dishwasher safe, per the listing
- Made in Holland
Key specifications
| Model | 106971042500 |
|---|---|
| Gift tier | Small to mid |
| What it is | Cheese storage dome |
| Material | BPA-free plastic; cutting board |
| Size or count | 95 oz; 2,800 ml |
| Made in | Holland |
| Care | Dishwasher safe |
| Warranty | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
It suits someone who keeps several cheeses in the fridge and wants them in one tidy place.
Skip it if they believe cheese should only ever be wrapped in paper.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Keeps fridge tidy
- Easy to wash
- Lid and board in one
Cons
- Plastic, not a showpiece
- Import listing
7. R&M Cheese Markers, Set of 4, With Chalk Marker – Name the Cheese Before They Ask
Someone who sets out a real cheese board spends the evening answering the same three questions. These R&M markers help: four wood sign shapes with a chalkboard finish, plus a chalk marker. Each is 3.25 by 2.25 inches. A damp cloth wipes them clean for the next party, per the listing.
We chose wood and chalk here rather than glazed porcelain markers, which would have fallen under our lead rule, since a lot of them sit right against the food. They work for desserts too. It’s a small add-on that gets much more use than you’d expect, and it’s a cheap way to make a board feel considered.
Four markers won’t cover a large board, and chalk can smudge, so give them time to dry before guests arrive.
Why we like it
- Reusable
- Includes a chalk marker
- Wipes clean, per the listing
- Small enough for a stocking
Key specifications
| Model | 3615 |
|---|---|
| Gift tier | Small |
| What it is | Cheese markers |
| Material | Wood with chalkboard finish |
| Size or count | 4 markers; 3.25 x 2.25 in. |
| Made in | Not stated |
| Care | Wipe with a damp cloth |
| Warranty | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
It suits a person who hosts and likes the small details of a table.
Skip it if they rarely put out more than one cheese.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Inexpensive
- Reusable
- Good board add-on
Cons
- Only four in the set
- Chalk can smudge
8. The Cheese Board Deck by Meg Quinn and Shana Smith – 50 Cards for Styling Spreads
Book gifts for cheese lovers often repeat what they already know, so this deck takes a different route. Published by Clarkson Potter in 2021, it has 50 cards for styling spreads, savory and sweet, by Meg Quinn and Shana Smith, with photography by Haley Davis, per the listing. A card deck lives on a counter more easily than a big book.
It rests on the publisher’s and authors’ details, and we haven’t seen a review we could cite. Its subject is arranging, and it won’t teach cheese history or affinage. If that is what the person wants, our best cheese book guide covers the serious reading, and we didn’t repeat those titles.
It works well as an add-on with a board or a knife set, and that’s where we’d use it.
Why we like it
- 50 cards with photos
- Named authors at a major publisher
- Different from a typical cheese book
- Easy to wrap
Key specifications
| Model | ISBN 0593233271 |
|---|---|
| Gift tier | Small |
| What it is | Card deck |
| Material | Printed cards |
| Size or count | 50 cards |
| Made in | Not stated |
| Care | Not applicable |
| Warranty | Not applicable |
Why we recommend it
It suits a host who likes making boards and wants new ideas for how to lay them out.
Skip it if they want to read about cheese itself.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Fresh format
- Inspiring for hosts
- Pairs well with a board
Cons
- About styling, not cheese knowledge
- No named review we could read
Cheese at the table or cheese in the fridge?
Some people love cheese as an occasion: a board, friends and wine. Buy them the raclette, the curler, the markers or the deck. Others love it as a daily habit: a wedge in the fridge and a knife after dinner. They’ll get more from the bags, the dome or the small board.
Add a wedge of something good if you can buy it close to the day. It makes any of these gifts feel complete, though it does need to stay cold.
How to choose a gift for a cheese lover
Find out how they eat it. A raclette grill suits a host, not a person who eats a slice over the sink.
Favor useful over huge. A giant board with tiny knives usually disappoints a person who already owns several boards.
Think about storage. Paper and airtight boxes each have fans. Either beats plastic wrap, and the person may have strong views.
Check the surface. We left out glazed brie bakers and porcelain markers unless the maker’s lead statement clearly names the piece.
Plan for the cheese. Tete de Moine and raclette cheese aren’t at every store, so check before you commit to those gifts.
How we picked these eight cheese gifts
We checked stock and seller through the Amazon API and read the listings. We have not used these in our kitchen. These picks rest on listing and maker details rather than independent reviews. Freshness and storage claims are each maker’s own.
We left out Staub’s stoneware brie baker because the maker’s lead-free statement we read describes its enamel on cast iron and does not name its stoneware pieces. We also skipped fondue pots with enamel or glaze where we found no maker statement, and large board sets from brands we couldn’t identify. The Boska knives and the Swissmar grill are the two same-line reuses here, and we said why.
Cheese gift questions, answered
What is a good cheese board gift?
For two people, the small Toscana board. For a crowd, our charcuterie board guide covers larger ones. A person who already owns a board will get more from the knives.
Can I mail cheese as a gift?
It’s safer to give a tool and bring the cheese in person, or use a shop that ships cold. Everything on this page is shelf-stable.
What’s a girolle?
A round board with a pin and a turning blade that shaves a small wheel of Tete de Moine into frilly rosettes. The Boska Amigo is one.
Are cheese storage bags worth it?
They are a small expense for people who buy good cheese. Formaticum says the paper lets cheese breathe while holding humidity, and that is the maker’s claim.
Do Mexican cheeses need the same tools?
Soft cheeses like queso fresco are simple to crumble, while aged cotija does well with a hard-cheese knife. Our guide to Mexican cheeses explains the styles.
Our final pick for the cheese lover
Buy the Boska knives, add a good wedge and a pack of Formaticum bags, and you have a gift that covers a whole evening. If you’d like more serious reading, try the best cheese book guide.
And when all this talk makes you want a plate of queso, see the menu or call to order.