A good kitchen gift is something used every day, not a gadget that ends up at the back of a drawer. Here is our selection, sorted by budget, with the reason to give each one. All prices shown are our usual prices.
Three rules before you choose
- A tool rather than a gadget. A knife, a board, a stone last for years. That is what makes a gift people remember.
- A knife is chosen by the way someone cuts. People who rock the blade, tip on the board, will prefer a chef's knife; people who push the blade flat, a santoku. The details are in our guide santoku, nakiri, bunka or Chinese cleaver.
- Think about care. Carbon steel gives the finest edge but must be dried straight away. For someone who doesn't want to think about it, choose Damascus stainless.
Under CHF 100
- Damascus utility knife, 13 cm — CHF 89. The small knife for everyday cuts: tomato, lemon, shallot.
- Damascus paring knife, olive wood handle — CHF 99. For peeling and in-hand work, with a powder steel core.
- Diamond honing rod, ebony handle — CHF 99. To straighten the edge between sharpenings: the gift for someone who already has good knives.
- Forged carving fork, oak handle — CHF 99. For whoever carves the roast at the table: it holds the joint while the knife slices.
- Cheese knife, red sandalwood handle — CHF 59. A pierced blade for soft cheese or a short blade for hard cheese; both for a cheese board.
- Diamond rolling knife sharpener — from CHF 49. The magnetic holder keeps the angle: the gift for someone who wants sharp knives without learning the whetstone.
- Cotton canvas kitchen apron — CHF 45. Cross-back straps and three pockets, for people who spend time at the stove.
- End-grain cutting board — from CHF 89. End grain spares the edge, and the board stays out on the counter.
- Forval stainless steel pan — from CHF 59. Uncoated 304 stainless: nothing flakes, nothing to replace.
- Stainless steel deep-frying pot with thermometer — from CHF 89. Crisp chips and tempura without a deep fryer, thanks to the thermometer on the rim.
- INKBIRD instant-read thermometer — CHF 49. It tells you in half a second whether the steak is rare or medium: for someone who still misses the timing.
- INKBIRD wireless meat thermometer — CHF 79. The probe stays in the roast and the temperature shows on the phone: for barbecue and rib-of-beef lovers.
- Electric salt and pepper mills, with stand — CHF 99. One hand is enough, a light shines on the plate, and they recharge by USB-C.
- 2-in-1 oil sprayer — from CHF 25. A mist for the air fryer or the salad, a stream for everything else: the small gift that gets used every day.
- Acacia serving tray — from CHF 39 and glass and wood jars — from CHF 32, for people who host or like a tidy kitchen.
- Le Grand Livre Forval — CHF 29. 100 recipes as a PDF, to add to another gift.
CHF 100 to 200
- Damascus chef's knife, 21 cm — CHF 119. The knife that does almost everything. If you only give one, make it this or the santoku.
- Damascus santoku, 18 cm — CHF 109. The Japanese all-rounder, with hollows so slices stick less.
- 1000/6000 whetstone — CHF 119. With its base and angle guide: everything needed to keep every knife sharp. Our method: sharpening on a whetstone.
- Damascus bread knife, 20 cm — CHF 129. For people who buy real bread with a thick crust.
- Straight-edge steak knives, set of 4 — CHF 149. German stainless steel and pakkawood handles, in a gift box: proper steak knives for every day.
- Perfect steak kit — from CHF 135. 28 cm stainless steel pan, INKBIRD thermometer and chef's tongs, with the free 25-recipe book (in French): everything to cook meat well in a pan.
- Swedish steel kitchen shears — CHF 109. They cut herbs, poultry and packaging, and even crack nuts.
- 24-piece stainless cutlery set — CHF 129. For six people, in a gift box.
- In-drawer knife organiser — CHF 119, walnut magnetic strip — CHF 129 or acacia block — CHF 189: so blades stop knocking together.
- Large oval end-grain board — CHF 189. Big enough to carve a roast at the table.
- Glass-backed whetstone set — from CHF 179. Two separate stones on tempered glass, for someone who already sharpens and wants to go further.
Over CHF 200
- 3-piece Damascus knife set — CHF 269. Chef's knife, santoku and utility knife. Bought separately, the three come to CHF 317.
- Damascus chef's knife, powder steel, olive wood — CHF 229. With a wooden sheath, in a gift box.
- Tricolour copper Damascus santoku — CHF 369. The most striking: brass, copper and stainless sides, in a wooden box.
- ZDP-189 santoku — CHF 569. Our most demanding knife: a Japanese powder steel at 65-67 HRC, a sheath, a paulownia box. For an enthusiast.
- Aogami No.2 santoku — CHF 269. A Japanese carbon steel core, for someone who loves a very fine edge and looks after their knives.
- Damascus Chinese cleaver — CHF 259. For people who cook in large quantities.
- Damascus steak knives, set of 4 — CHF 349. Straight blades that slice meat without tearing it.
- Complete kitchen pack — CHF 429. Pans and knives: enough to equip a first kitchen.
Gift sets: the complete present
Three or four pieces chosen to go together, for less than the items bought separately, even with our knife discount.
- Sharpening set — CHF 249. 1000/6000 whetstone, sink stand and diamond honing rod: for someone who has good knives and wants to keep them sharp.
- Chef's set — CHF 479. Powder-steel chef's knife, large end-grain board and whetstone: the trio that changes everyday cooking.
- Steak set — CHF 569. Four Damascus steak knives, carving fork and juice-groove board: for serving meat at the table.
- Signature set — CHF 649. The ZDP-189 santoku and its glass-backed stones: for an enthusiast.
Pairs that go well together
From two knives or sharpening items in the cart, we take off 10%, automatically. A few pairs that make sense:
- Chef's knife + whetstone: 119 + 119 = CHF 238, or CHF 214.20 with the discount. The knife, and what it takes to keep it sharp.
- Santoku + bread knife: 109 + 129 = CHF 238, or CHF 214.20 with the discount. The two knives most often missing.
- Paring knife + utility knife: 99 + 89 = CHF 188, or CHF 169.20 with the discount. The two small everyday blades.
- Two cheese knives, soft + hard cheese: 59 + 59 = CHF 118, or CHF 106.20 with the discount. The whole cheese board.
Giving a knife: a little tradition
An old superstition says a knife given as a gift "cuts the friendship". The fix is well known: the person receiving the knife hands over a coin in return, and the knife becomes a purchase. Slip a small coin in with the gift: it is a nice way to give it.
For Christmas: delivery times
Shipping is free and tracked, in 7 to 14 working days. To receive a gift before Christmas, order by 1 December at the latest. And if the gift isn't right, it can be sent back within 60 days: the conditions are on our Shipping & returns page.
The whole selection is here: our gift ideas.
