In short: give a board engraved with names and a date for a wedding or anniversary, a 50–60 cm set for a milestone birthday or retirement, and a wall clock, wooden watch or sculpture for a housewarming or for someone who does not play. Engraving of up to 80 characters is free on our personalised boards.
A carved wooden board is a gift that gets used, displayed and handed down. This guide sorts the handmade chess and backgammon gifts from the Hrachya Ohanyan workshop, along with its other wooden gifts, by occasion and by recipient. For game-specific ideas, see our guides to gifts for backgammon players and gift ideas for chess players.
Which handmade gift suits which occasion?
Start with the occasion: each row suggests a gift and an engraving idea.
| Occasion | Good choice | Engraving idea |
|---|---|---|
| Wedding or anniversary | A personalised backgammon set or a 2-in-1 chess and backgammon set | Both names and the date |
| Milestone birthday | A 50–60 cm board, a chess table or a backgammon table | "Happy 60th, Dad. Your move." |
| Retirement | A 60 cm board for the free time ahead | Name, years worked and thanks |
| Housewarming | A 2-in-1 set or a wall clock | Family name and move-in year (boards only) |
| Thank-you or corporate gift | A 30 or 40 cm board, or a sculpture | A short thanks and the year |
| Holidays | A set for the family table | The family name and the year |
Dates to plan around: Christmas and New Year, Armenian Christmas on 6 January and World Chess Day on 20 July. For business gifts, check the recipient's gift policy; for several at once, contact us to discuss your order.
Wedding and anniversary gifts: engrave the names and the date
A personalised backgammon set makes a good wedding gift because it is made for two: the board takes a pair of players, and the engraving inside records the names and the date. The Classic Wooden Backgammon Set, 60 cm is a full-size place to start.
For an anniversary, traditional lists name wood as the fifth-anniversary gift, so a carved wooden board fits that milestone well. Engrave both names and the number of years together.
Choosing by recipient
Match the gift to the person:
- Dad or grandfather: a full-size 60 cm board with his name and a short wish engraved inside, large enough to stay out on the living-room table.
- A couple: a 2-in-1 chess and backgammon set, chess on one side and backgammon on the other, folding on cast bronze hinges and locks.
- A colleague or business partner: a 30 or 40 cm backgammon board (about 1.5 or 3 kg) that fits a desk or shelf, or a wall clock.
- Someone with Armenian roots: Mount Ararat is a central symbol of Armenian identity, and our copyrighted outline of it has appeared in our products since 2000. See the Mount Ararat backgammon sets and our Armenian gifts.
- A collector of fine woodwork: a board carved from one piece of wood with cast bronze hinges, or sculptural chess pieces and figures in wood and bronze.
- A beginner or a child: the 30 cm backgammon board is the lightest size, about 1.5 kg, and a friendly first board.
Engraved wooden gifts: how personalisation works
On our personalised backgammon sets and personalised chess sets, we engrave a name, a date or a short wish of up to 80 characters inside the board, free of charge. Short lines read best: a name and a date still leave room for a few words. A few ideas:
- Wedding: "Anna and Karen, 14 June 2027"
- Birthday: "Happy 60th, Dad. Your move."
- Retirement: "Levon, 1996 to 2026. Now there is time for a game."
- Thank-you: "With thanks for a great year, 2026"
Treat the text as final. Check every name, accent and date before you confirm, and write the date in the format the recipient uses. For anything unusual, such as another alphabet, ask us first.
Wooden gift ideas beyond the games
For a wooden housewarming gift, or for someone who does not play, start with a wall clock such as the Armenian Alphabet Wall Clock. The Armenian alphabet is traditionally dated to 405 CE and credited to Mesrop Mashtots, which gives the clock a meaning beyond telling the time.
The workshop also makes wooden and bronze gifts:
- Wooden wrist watches, a light, natural accessory with a story.
- Wooden bags, for someone who likes handmade accessories.
- Sculptures and souvenirs for a shelf, a desk or a reception area.
- Handmade glasses and cups with bronze details.
Size, presentation and care
Choose the size by where the gift will live. Backgammon boards of 30 cm (about 1.5 kg) and 40 cm (about 3 kg) suit a desk, a shelf or a journey; 50 cm (about 4 kg) and 60 cm (about 5 kg) suit a living room. Chess boards run from 30 cm up to 100 cm. Our backgammon board sizes guide compares them.
For a present from a whole family, choose a table. Chess and backgammon tables measure 60 × 60 × 63 cm and weigh 17–20 kg, and the Chess Table with Contour Outline, 60 cm has drawers for the chess pieces.
Sets include a branded carry case, some with a wooden handle, and tables come with a plywood box. Product pages state a 25-year guarantee certificate, and our care guide explains how to keep the wood looking its best.
A short gift checklist
- Think about where it will live. Dark walnut backgammon sets suit a classic study; paler beech or epoxy resin designs suit modern rooms.
- Choose a design with meaning. Coats of arms, churches, ornaments and the Ararat outline turn a game into a keepsake.
- Settle the engraving early. Write the text, count the characters and ask someone else to read it.
- Order early for weddings and holidays, because every piece is made by hand.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good wedding or anniversary gift?
A backgammon or chess set engraved with both names and the date is one a couple can use together and keep. If they cannot choose between the games, a 2-in-1 chess and backgammon set covers both. Traditional lists name wood for the fifth anniversary, so a carved board suits it well.
Can I engrave a set, and how long can the text be?
Yes, on the sets in our personalised backgammon and chess collections. We engrave a name, a date or a short wish inside the board, up to 80 characters, free of charge. Engraved text is permanent, so check spelling and date before you confirm.
What size is best as a gift?
For a living room, choose a 50 or 60 cm backgammon board (about 4 or 5 kg). For a desk, a shelf or travel, choose 30 or 40 cm (about 1.5 or 3 kg). Chess boards run up to 100 cm, and tables measure 60 × 60 × 63 cm.
Which gift suits someone who does not play?
A wall clock, wooden wrist watch, wooden bag, sculpture or set of glasses with bronze details gives the same handmade character without needing a game. These also suit housewarmings and thank-yous. If they are curious, a 2-in-1 chess and backgammon set lets them try both games.
When is World Chess Day?
World Chess Day falls on 20 July. The United Nations General Assembly designated it in a resolution adopted on 12 December 2019, introduced by Armenia. It is a natural date to give a chess lover a new board, and our chess sets include 32 chess pieces.
Explore our gift collections
Browse all backgammon sets and chess sets, or look for something with a story in our Armenian gifts. If you are still choosing a board, our guide to choosing a handmade backgammon set covers wood, carving and hardware.
