26 of the best cheese gifts that fromage fans will love

Ask some of the older people in your family, your parents or grandparents perhaps, what sort of things they used to give their loved ones as gifts and they will probably respond with the traditional likes of handwritten greeting cards, boxes of chocolates and bouquets of flowers.

While you will never find us saying no to a Cadbury’s Milk Tray or a fresh bunch of roses, it is safe to say that the art of gifting has moved on a bit in recent years, meaning that classic and traditional gifts now seem a little... well, predictable. Thankfully, clever online stores and artisan producers have come up with a whole host of ever-changing ways to show that special someone in your life just how much you appreciate them, whether that be through personalisation, gift boxes or quirky knick-knacks, all of which can be delivered to the lucky recipient’s door in a few clicks. One of the most popular trends of recent times is cheese gifts, which can take the form of cheese gift sets, personalised cheese boards or pun-laden accessories and cookware.

Gifts for cheese lovers range far and wide these days, with an almighty selection of goods to choose from online for the fromage fan in your life. Whether you are looking for a cheesy gift to give to someone as a Christmas present, to celebrate their birthday or to mark a special anniversary, there is a cheese-themed product out there for you. Check out our full rundown of, ahem, grate cheese-tastic items below, which includes everything from a cheese ‘bucket list’ poster to an ode to the golden stuff written by a former rockstar. So get to it, cheese the day and get stuck into our ultimate cheese gifting guide - you would be Edam fool to miss it.

 

The best cheese gift boxes and cheese gift sets

Forget flowers or chocolates and instead say ‘thank you’, ‘happy birthday’ or ‘I love you’ with a box of cheesy goodies. Check out our pick of the best cheese gift boxes and cheese gift sets below.

Waitrose ‘Build Your Own’ Cheese Board, from £3

What: If you are buying for someone particularly fussy, why not have a go at curating your own cheese selection for them? On the Waitrose website, cheese specialist Jon Broomfield shares his top picks for boards for between three to eight people, with the option for you to add as many or as few of his choices as you like.
How much: Prices start from £3
Buy it: Waitrose

Fortnum & Mason Traditional Potted Stilton, £14.95

The punchy flavour of Stilton manages to instil a strong reaction in people, it's a bit of a Marmite of the cheese world. With that being said, those who love Stilton, really LOVE Stilton. What better gift then than a gorgeous memento that they can treasure long after they’ve polished off the edible contents of the gift? This jar from Fortnum & Mason is a classic piece, and makes a gorgeous addition to any cheeseboard. The cheese itself is rich and cream, and once the jar is empty it makes a pretty pen pot too.
How much: £14.95
Buy it: Fortnum & Mason

Durslade Farm Shop Somerset Cheese & Charcuterie Box, £95

This generously sized foodie hamper would be perfect if you’re looking to treat a family, with it containing enough goodies to go round the whole team. We liked that this was a readymade spread thanks to the included crackers, pickles and preserves – simply unpack and serve for an instant meal. The charcuterie is an added bonus to try alongside the very good cheeses, with both the air dried and the potted beef coming from 100% grass-fed animals raised on the company’s own 1000-acre farm.
How much: £95
Buy it: Durslade Farm Shop

Cheese Canteen by Provisions, £32

What: As any true cheese aficionado knows, raw milk cheeses are the ultimate in sophistication. Provisions – one of London’s best wine and cheese shops – has a subscription service where each month they send out a whole selection of unpasteurised cheeses to their lucky recipients from some of the world’s best artisan cheesemakers. The box is neatly presented and there’s a fun and informative booklet included, giving you tasting notes and fun facts about each of the serves. This is completely controllable as a subscription gift, as you can pause or cancel anytime, and you can also tailor the offering to the recipient, letting the team at Provisions know of any preferences (like if you would rather not send blue cheeses, for instance).
How much: £32
Buy it: Provisions London

Pong Cheese French Superieur Selection Box, £46

What: If your friend or family member is of the belief that the finest cheese can be found only in France, allow us to introduce you to this gift box, featuring the creme-de-la-creme of French cheeses. The recipient of your gift can gorge on the likes of Roquefort, Comte and Epoisses washed in Marc de Bourgogne - you might be tempted to keep this one for yourself.
How much: £46
Buy it: Pong Cheese

Little Box of Birthday Cheese, £40

Trust heritage British cheesemakers Paxton & Whitfield to come up with a nostalgic celebratory box. We love this one for its old-school charm. It comes complete with a fruit cake that they can pop a candle in. This isn’t completely unrelated to the rest of the box – which is packing a Lancashire, a Celtic Soft and a Cashel Blue – as this is a fruit cake specially made to be topped with cheese. Sweet and savoury lovers, this one’s for you.
How much: £40
Buy it: Paxton & Whitfield

Neal’s Yard Dairy gift boxes, prices vary

A behemoth of the cheese-making world, if you want to show off your industry insight then you could do worse than gifting a box from Neal’s Yard. This British institution finds its home in London (where you can go and sample all the cheeses should you have time on your hands) but happily also ships country wide. There are plenty of options when it comes to gift selections, but we love the sustainability series which champions producers who are doing something admirable in the eco sphere.
How much: Prices vary
Buy it: Neal's Yard Dairy

Cheese Lovers Preserve Box, £20

If you know that they have the cheese bit covered then why not gift them the perfect partnership? This sweet box of preserves won’t break the bank and makes the ideal accompaniment to all kinds of cheeses – from soft and bright through to aged and crumbly. Not only are these chutneys great on a traditional board setup, but they can also help to create something special out of a few fridge finds. We’ll take the piccalilli in a classic cheese sandwich, if you’re asking.
How much: £20
Buy it: Piper's Farm

Pong Cheese Best of British XL Box, £180

What: Show your patriotism with this mega selection of British cheeses that flies the flag for cheese made on the British Isles. Inside the box you will find large quantities of the likes of nettle-wrapped Cornish Yarg and supremely creamy Cropwell Bishop Stilton. It beats tea and crumpets in our book.
How much: £180
Buy it: Pong Cheese

The Chuckling Cheese Company Rainbow Cheese Box, £29.99

What: This fun and quirky gift box is made up of seven colourful cheeses, with wacky flavours such as margherita pizza and Gin & Tonic, alongside some slightly more conventional offerings including caramelised red onion and orange and whisky. A great gift for the cheese lover in your life who has a sense of adventure.
How much: £29.99
Buy it: Amazon

The best novelty cheese gifts

Know someone who can’t get enough of all things cheese? Make their day with one of these novelty cheese gifts that they are guaranteed to love. Check out pick of the best options below

The Big Cheese Making Kit, £37.50 

This cheese making kit lets the recipient get to grips with all the chemistry behind their favourite snack, and it makes a great family project for older kids too. With full instructions and the specialist ingredients you need to make up to eight different cheeses, this should keep their fridge full for a while. Highlights include a goat’s cheese, a halloumi and a mozzarella.
How much: £37.50
Buy it: Selfridges

100 Cheeses Scratch Off Bucket List Poster, £12.99

What: This kooky poster features 100 of the best varieties of cheese from around the world, with the idea being that you scratch off each one once you’ve sampled it. It’s a great way to keep track of just how many cheeses you’ve managed to try - one for the fromage nerds.
How much: £12.99
Buy it: Not on the High Street

“All Cheese Great and Small” by Alex James, £8.99

What: The award for most unlikely cheesemaker has to go to former Blur bass player Alex James, who gave up his rockstar lifestyle after 15 years to buy a farm in the countryside. In this light-hearted, enjoyable read, he details how he has got to grips with country life, as well as his adventures making cheese.
How much: £8.99
Buy it: Pong Cheese

“I Camembert to Brie without you” Mug, £13.95,

What: Your parents might have raised you to ‘say it with flowers’, but there’s nothing wrong with saying it with cheese-themed crockery instead. Declare or reaffirm your undying love to your spouse, boyfriend/girlfriend or secret crush with this pun-tastic, cutesy mug.
How much: £13.95
Buy it: Not on the High Street

Milk Made by Nick Haddow, £20

What: If you know someone whose love for cheese extends far beyond just scoffing it, then this informative book makes for an excellent gift. Championing artisanal cheesemaking, Milk Made explains how to make wise choices when it comes to the cheeses you buy and eat, as well as providing background information on the history of cheesemaking in the UK and beyond.
How much: £20
Buy it: Pong Cheese

Cheese Kitchen Print, £16

What: This stylish print would be the perfect finishing touch to any cheese lover’s kitchen and makes for a great housewarming gift. Boasting a simple, rustic chalkboard-style design, the board lists a whole host of cheeses to use as inspiration or just remind you of your favourite food - bonus points if you recognise every variety listed too.
How much: £16
Buy it: Not on the High Street

The best cheese tools and gadgets

This is where things get serious - cheese tools. If you're looking for the item worthy of a true cheese geek, this is it. Browse all of our picks below, from classic knife sets through to all-out machines.

Paxton & Whitfield Logo-engraved Stainless-steel Cheese Knives, £50

If you’re buying for someone who loves their tools and gadgets, then skip the food bundles and go straight for something they can use time and time again. These gorgeous knives are a keepsake that will undoubtedly make multiple appearances over the years whenever the cheeseboard is wheeled out. Included in the set is a hard cheese knife, a soft cheese knife, and a hatchet, all made from stainless steel with riveted polished handles.
How much: £50
Buy it: Selfridges

VonShef 1200W 8 Person Raclette Grill & Stone, £59.99

Any cheese lover will tell you, there’s no greater gift in this world than hot, melted cheese. Gift someone an easy way to get such goodness at home with a plug-in raclette machine. These specialist machines are designed to be used with raclette slices, which are then typically served over potatoes, with charcuterie and pickles – comfort food at its finest. Once they’ve mastered the basics, they can also use their set for all kinds of other things like cooking eggs, meat or even desserts at the table.
How much: £59.99
Buy it: Von Haus

LSA International Lotta Glass Cheese Dome with Ash Wood Base, £140

This timeless design by LSA combines a sleek glass dome with a classic wooden board for a piece that looks as good on a countertop as it does in the centre of a table. We love this as a new home or wedding gift, it’s something that will undoubtedly endure and a beautiful piece for any style of interior. The generous size allows for a good few portions of cheese under the cloche, so is ideal for parties too!
How much: £140
Buy it: John Lewis

Microplane Cheese Grater, £23.95

Okay, this might not get the award for most glamerous gift, but what it lacks it style it more than makes up for in functionality. Any cheese lover worth their salt will top pasta with a mountain of the stuff, and to get that restaurant-quality fine grate you’re going to need a Microplane. These razor sharp graters make even grating hard cheeses like parmesan and pecorino a doddle, and produce little hills of the finest cheese shavings – perfect for tossing through pasta. Also, when not in use as a cheese grater these are perfect for lemon zest, garlic, ginger and so much more, making this the best gift for foodies.
How much: £23.95
Buy it: John Lewis

Marble Cheese Dome, £35

What: We are big fans of this gorgeous cheese dome with a green marble base. It’s rich in both colour and pattern, and would make for a fabulous centrepiece at a dinner party, displaying the finest cheeses in your home. It also serves the more practical purpose of keeping food fresher for longer or staving off flies if you are dining alfresco.
How much: £35
Buy it: John Lewis

Green Marble Cheese Board and Knives Set, £50

What: A sophisticated gift for those who always serve a cheese course at special dinners, this cheese knife set is presented in a mango wood box with a marble top. Slide the lid away to reveal three cheese knives with brass coloured heads and matching marble handles, which are designed to cut a variety of hard and soft cheeses.
How much: £50
Buy it: John Lewis

Copper Fondue Set, £68

What: This chic stainless steel copper effect fondue set comes complete with a metal rack, a burner, a diffuser and six forks so that the whole family can dig in (if you allow sharing, of course). Fondue sets are a fun and delightfully messy way to add something new to a family meal or dinner party, and you can always swap out your cheese for chocolate too.
How much: £68
Buy it: Not on the High Street

The best personalised cheese boards

If you know someone who always opts for the cheese board over sweet puddings at the end of a meal, why not give them the gift of a personalised cheese board that they will treasure forever and ever? Check out some of the best options you can buy below.

‘Perfectly aged’ Wooden Cheese Board, £13.99

Why: Know a cheese lover who has a milestone birthday coming up? See how far you can push your luck with this cheeky cheese board. The ‘perfectly aged’ wording is a fixed part of the design, but you can add two lines of text of up to 15 characters to make it your own.
How much: £13.99
Buy it: Personalise

“Life is great…” Cheese Board, £13.99

Why: “Life is great but cheese makes it better” is certainly a message we can get behind. This fun cheese board allows you to add one line of text of up to 20 characters which will appear at the bottom of the board. It would make a great housewarming gift or a present for a newly married couple.
How much: £13.99
Buy it: Personalise

Personalised Olive Wood Cheese Board, £27

Why: If you don’t like any of the pre-fixed personalisations you see, you can instead opt for this beautiful olive wood cheese board, where you are given free rein with your personalisation. You can enter three lines of between 20-25 characters per line, giving you plenty of room to play with for adding fun or romantic messages.
How much: £27
Buy it: Not on the Highstreet

After all that shopping for cheese gifts, you’re probably going to be in need of a sweet treat to get your energy up. Let us gently point you in the direction of the very best letterbox chocolate brownies in the UK.