Holiday Gift Guide: Woodworking & Millwork Inspiration

We’re getting close to the holiday season, so it’s time to think about finding the perfect gift for your loved ones. Whether you’re shopping for a professional or hobbyist woodworker, or someone who enjoys the beauty of handcrafted wood products, West Wind Hardwood is here at your service.

Gifts for Woodworkers

Specialty Carving Wood

For woodworkers who value the art of intricate detailing, West Wind Hardwood’s specialty carving wood is the perfect gift. Our selection includes premium-quality woods ideal for carving, such as basswood, butternut, and walnut. These woods are prized by artisans and hobbyists alike for their fine grain and workability, making them excellent choices for projects ranging from small figurines to elaborate relief carvings.

Specialty carving wood opens up a world of creative possibilities. It’s ideal for creating unique holiday gifts, like custom ornaments, decorative boxes, or hand-carved picture frames. This is also a popular choice for those interested in whittling, sculpture, or even crafting heirloom-quality keepsakes that will be treasured for years to come.

Woodworking Tools & Kits

High-quality tools are always a great gift for the hands-on woodworker or DIY enthusiast. There are so many to choose from, from saws to clamps and even dust collectors. Consider putting together a woodworking tool kit that’s tailored to their skill level and interests.

Don’t know where to start? We, at West Wind Hardwood, carry a variety of FESTOOL products and if you need assistance on what to buy, feel free to contact our team. We’ll help you choose the right tool for your next project.

Wood Finishes & Oils

For woodworkers, a quality finish is the perfect way to enhance and protect their creations, making wood finishes and oils an ideal gift. Finishing oils penetrate the wood, highlighting its unique grain and natural beauty while providing a protective layer against wear and tear. Hard wax oils, natural oils, and high-solid oils are excellent choices for achieving everything from a warm matte look to a polished sheen.

A gift of wood finishes allows woodworkers to add that perfect finishing touch, ensuring their projects look beautiful and last for years. These oils and waxes, like those from OLI-NATURA, are easy to apply and help elevate any woodworking project, making them ideal for both professional and hobbyist woodworkers alike.

Gifts for Those Who Love Woodworking

For those who appreciate the art of woodworking, West Wind Hardwood offers a range of gift options. While we don’t do custom work for some of the following items, we can provide quality materials for you to take the project on yourself or gift them to the DIYer in your life to tackle.

Custom Wooden Cutting Boards

We all have cutting boards at home, but a custom-made wooden cutting board is a timeless gift that home cooks will love. These boards can be crafted from hardwoods like walnut, maple, or cherry and are beautiful and durable enough for daily use, but if you’re looking to have these custom-made, the West Wind Hardwood team can help. We can also add personalized engravings such as initials or names that can elevate this gift to something special. Just take a look at these past projects for our customers. If you are in a time crunch, we may even have some pre-made boards ready for you to take home.

Charcuterie Boards

We just highlighted wooden cutting boards as a great gift, but charcuterie boards deserve their own mention. While cutting boards are primarily functional and designed for heavy use in food preparation, charcuterie boards are used mainly for entertaining and presentation. With the option to personalize them, West Wind Hardwood can create some unique boards that will make a thoughtful gift for any occasion. For DIYers, we can provide materials and recommend the best wood species so you can make it yourself. With proper care, you can use these for years, easily remaining a centerpiece for many holidays to come.

Wooden Planter Boxes

For plant lovers, wooden planter boxes offer a beautiful and functional way to display your favourite plants. These can be used indoors or outdoors and can be made in a variety of sizes and styles. For projects of this size, we recommend going with pieces of wood called “shorts” (these are pieces of wood that are under 6ft). West Wind Hardwood carries a variety of shorts that will give your budget a break while still keeping that rustic look. We know that deciding on the type of wood to use can be difficult for first-time builders, so while West Wind Hardwood does not specialize in making wooden planter boxes, we can absolutely help you with purchasing the right piece of wood to use and set you up for success on creating something special to gift.

Coffee Table

A custom wooden coffee table can serve as a focal point in a living room, providing functionality and aesthetics. We can provide the hardwood materials for this type of project, but the assembly is left to the customer, allowing them to create a unique piece that reflects their style. Hardwoods like walnut, oak, and maple are commonly used for their durability and grain patterns, but if you’re looking for a more one-of-a-kind look, consider using live edge planks.

Aside from this being a beautiful piece of furniture, a custom coffee table can also include functional elements such as hidden storage, drawers, or lower shelving for books and magazines.

Wooden Coasters

Whether you are a company looking for branded items to gift to employees and clients, or just someone looking for a smaller but equally thoughtful gift, wooden coasters are a fantastic option. We have some pre-made wooden coasters that are ready to go to their new home, or you can have the West Wind Hardwood team create custom ones depending on the request, like the ones in the picture below. These can be crafted from various wood species and designed to match a range of home decors. Give it that personal twist by adding some custom engravings.

Birdhouses or Feeders

This one is for all those birdwatchers. A custom birdhouse or feeder makes a great gift for anyone who enjoys birdwatching or spending time outdoors. Get started by dropping by our store to get the right piece of material. This is a simple woodworking project that’s ideal for beginners, and we’re here to help you choose the right wood for the project. Not only does this make a beautiful addition to the yard or patio, but these are usually made of more sustainable materials, making them an environmentally conscious gift. Birdhouses also provide shelter during colder months, while feeders offer a reliable food source during winter months when natural food is scarce.

Plan Your Holiday Gift with West Wind Hardwood

If by the end of reading this article, you’re still not sure which option to choose, the most simple solution is to get a West Wind Hardwood gift card. This gives the recipient the freedom to pick exactly what they want. We offer both online and physical gift cards, making it easy for them to find the perfect gift fit for their needs. Our gift cards are a popular choice and you can purchase a digital card here or come see us in person to pick up a physical one.

There are countless ways to incorporate custom wooden gifts into your holiday shopping this season. Whether it’s something small and functional or a statement piece, West Wind Hardwood offers the materials and expertise to create unique, beautiful, practical, handcrafted items. If you want to personalize these gifts to reflect the receiver’s taste, we can do that!Ready to find the perfect gift or start your next woodworking project? Contact us today to learn more about our custom millwork services. Visit us in person or give us a call. We’re here to help bring your vision to life!