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Whether they’re calling their people in from the back 40 or from the home office, this Old West–y dinner bell gets the job done. It comes from Lodge, maker of our favorite cast-iron skillet, and it’s outfitted with a striker and a leather hanging strap. It gets louder the harder you hit it, quickly training animals as well as humans to come running when dinner is ready. It’s made of steel (not cast iron), and some users have complained about the paint chipping, although we welcomed the well-earned patina.

Because they were considered rare and exotic, pineapples became a symbol of hospitality and welcome in the US. It’s a tradition for Wirecutter to send employees a Maui Gold Pineapple from Hawaii every year on their work anniversary, and we always enjoy getting these tropical beauties. Picked ripe from the fields in Maui and shipped two-day, they are ready to eat on arrival. And if your giftee falls in love with these fruits, the Maui Pineapple Store also offers a monthly or quarterly subscription service.

The oldest backgammon board ever discovered is dated around 3000 BC, and the game has been continuously and enthusiastically played ever since. This colorful board is a decidedly modern take on the ancient game, and it’s pretty enough to leave out as decor. Made of beechwood and plastic, the stones don’t have the pleasing heft of some versions, but it’s not flimsy, and it folds nicely for storing or taking along.

Half slippers, half socks, these modern variations of uwabaki—Japanese house slippers—are softer and warmer than their traditional counterparts, and they come in a plethora of colors and patterns. These machine-washable Merippa house shoes, which boast a two-in-one reversible design, roll up into compact balls for Marie Kondo–approved packing. Wirecutter’s Gregory Han keeps a striped pair in his Southern California home office for colder mornings, but they are also great to have on hand for guests if your home is shoe-free.

There’s nothing more romantic than a candlelit home, but there’s also nothing scarier than the idea of an unattended flame. The Wick offers a high-tech solution: an LED light fashioned after the form and function of a traditional chamberstick. The touch-sensor lamp glows warmly like a real candle, but depending on which of its four brightness settings is activated, it can stay “lit” for 12 to 115 (!) hours between charges. There’s even a pulse mode to mimic the flicker of genuine candlelight. And, if carried outside, the breeze won’t blow it out.

For friends or family who’ve recently moved and are getting to know a new locale—or are still pining for the sights and streets of their former home—consider a custom-printed, 400-piece puzzle designed from a map covering 4 miles north/south and 6 miles east/west of their address. The box has a generic image, but a folded, full-color map of the location is included in the box, so puzzle-doers have something to follow. Note to anyone living near a big body of water: There will be a lot of extra-challenging solid blue.

For the hard-to-please friend or the proverbial pal who has everything, this fish-shaped pitcher will make the perfect new-home companion. It’s made of durable stoneware and comes in a kaleidoscope of different colors. And as it pours, this 42-ounce vessel makes a soft and pleasant gurgling sound not unlike a babbling creek, which will be considered either charming or cheeky, depending on the recipient. Supervising editor Hannah Morrill also uses hers as a flower vase.

A portable Bluetooth speaker is an excellent addition in any new dwelling, and the Wonderboom is our favorite from testing. The pint-size unit—it’s only 4 inches tall—packs impressive bass and rich sound, in small rooms as well as large patios. And its 11-hour battery life is just enough for most gatherings. Also, if a hangout gets a little rough-and-tumble, the Wonderboom can withstand a 5-foot drop and a dunking in 1 meter of water. Let the intimate dinner parties (or wild ragers) commence!

If you’re thinking “Wait, that doesn’t look like a pig,” you’re right. (Some corners of the internet believe this use is Scottish slang for an earthenware container.) Regardless, this useful vessel from Emile Henry is something most people probably don’t have but would like: a handy container for countertop salt storage. The half-open design is easy to pinch from, but it protects salt from spills and splatters. The unglazed interior also absorbs moisture, so the crystals inside won’t cake or crust. Give it along with a big bucket of Maldon Sea Salt Flakes—a longtime Wirecutter and worldwide favorite—and wish your friends a lifetime of well-seasoned food.

The Alysia Mazzella Twin Flame Candle exudes a meaningful and ritualistic feeling, one that’s ideal for christening a new home. One of our favorite tapered candles from testing, the Twin Flame Candle burns just shy of two hours, dripping into wonderful teetering sculptures as your recipient presumably drinks, dines, and enjoys the good life, however fleeting. (The candles are meant to burn just one time, until they self-extinguish.) Artisan maker Alysia Mazzella hand-dips the beeswax creations, twisting two wicks to form one unit. She also offers a trade-in program: The recipient can send in an 8-ounce bundle of melted beeswax and receive a new taper in return.

There is perhaps no time one will be more finicky about rings on the table as when said table is brand new. If a recently relocated pal has also invested in a few new pieces, these colorful merino wool assortments from Graf Lantz will be much appreciated. Among our staffers’ favorites, these absorbent felt coasters suck up condensation from the chilliest glasses and insulate from the heat damage of piping coffee mugs. Hannah reports that even after nine years of use, their vibrant tones haven’t faded. And though they do eventually collect dust, a swift pass with a lint roller easily revives them.

Pilea peperomioides goes by a plethora of names—Chinese money plant, UFO plant, pancake plant, missionary plant, lefse plant. But this cheerful, round-leafed plant’s curious name and its history are secondary to the fact that it’s very easy to keep (it prefers bright but indirect light). It’s also simple to propagate, which means the gift you give today may return later in the form of a cutting, earning the Pilea peperomioides yet another nickname: the friendship plant. We like Léon & George because the company ships its plants in specially constructed protective boxes and covers every plant with a 45-day guarantee to help protect against black-thumb mistakes.

For a unique alternative to chocolates, try this melt-in-your mouth halva set from New York City–based confectioner Seed & Mill. Whether your recipient will be serving this halva trio to guests visiting their new home or just snacking on it while unpacking, the nutty, flaky bars are a rich, unexpected treat. The three flavors here—Sea Salt Dark Chocolate, Toasted Sesame, and Pistachio—are so decadent that the person who receives this gift might be surprised to learn the bars are vegan, gluten free, and kosher certified. And if the recipient is a baker or loves experimenting in the kitchen, this gift is even better: Halva makes a wondrous addition to brownies, ice cream, and more.

Even the most well-equipped home often yearns for a stylish-yet-utilitarian tray. First designed in 1982 by a family-owned Danish brand, this 19-by-13-inch teakwood version retains aesthetic charm thanks to its intricate, checkered inlay and minimalist lines. (Seafarers will also recall the moisture-, heat-, and light-resistant properties of teak, all of which make this tray an excellent choice for both indoor and outdoor toting.) Its sturdy handles and 2.5-inch-deep sides make it well suited for schlepping cocktails and appetizers to the patio or for delivering breakfast in bed. When it’s not in service, this tray is lovely atop a coffee or console table, adorned with a vase of flowers and a stack of books.

A dose of stress relief is a no-brainer for the recently relocated. For some, a weighted blanket can simulate the coziness and comfort of a warm hug from a loved one, or at least encourage rest and sleep.The Bearaby Cotton Napper—the most beautiful and least institutional-feeling option we tested for our guide to weighted blankets—is as natty and comfortable as a chic, oversize sweater. The blanket’s chunky cotton yarn, which is knit loose and loopy, is warm but doesn’t overheat. And the Napper comes in five colors, so you’re sure to find a hue to suit your recipient’s new home. Plus, it’s machine washable. It comes in 10-, 15-, 20-, and 25-pound versions; for most resters, the 15- or 20-pound option is a good bet.

Your gift recipient is probably looking forward to cooking in their new kitchen. Make sure they do so in a stylish, photo-ready apron that will also protect their clothes. Of the 24 aprons we tested for our guide to the best kitchen aprons, none performed better than Hedley & Bennett’s Crossback Apron. Its soft-yet-hardy canvas is moisture resistant, which means a bubble of marinara can be easily wiped away and a sizzle of hot oil won’t burn. The apron is also gender neutral and adjustable to fit a wide range of sizes. (And even if your pal doesn’t cook, they’ll still look great wearing it as they dig into their takeout pad thai.)

The Nix Mini 2 Color Sensor is a rechargeable handheld scanner that connects to an Android- or iOS-compatible app, captures any surface color, and matches it to a catalog of 150,000 paint swatches from Benjamin Moore, Behr, PPG, Valspar, Sherwin-Williams, and other brands. Beyond interior paints, the pocketable Nix Mini 2 is capable of extracting color values from upholstered furniture, wall prints, bedding, and other decorative items to improve the odds that your interior decor will appear planned, as opposed to being a random mishmash of disparate favorites.

The Hasami Mug is a favorite among Wirecutter staffers, thanks to a timeless aesthetic that works beautifully in nearly any home. Each mug is made and glazed by hand, so slight variations in color and finish are all part of the charm. And these mugs are the sort of multifunctional object people become attached to with use and time. They’re also stackable and microwave safe, so they’re intended for everyday use. Pair a couple of mugs with one of our favorite teapots, such as the Hario ChaCha. Then, once your recipient is settled in, invite yourself over with a favorite blend in hand to help warm the house in person. You might try Alfred’s Golden Loose Leaf Herbal Tea, an aromatic medley of turmeric, ginger, Malabar peppercorn, and cinnamon that smells remarkably like cola-flavored gummies.

If your recipient is an introvert who sometimes needs “alone time,” they may certainly empathize with the humorous, passive-aggressive messaging this reversible coir doormat serves up. One side welcomes all with a friendly, “Come in.” Flip it around, and the uninvited will probably feel more amused than offended by its curt, cursive demand to scram. It’s made from compostable coconut coir and has a non-compostable, nonslip backing.

Any chef will tell you there is no better cooking tool than a great kitchen knife, and that it’s worth investing (and caring for) a good one. Wirecutter’s top chef’s knife, the Mac Mighty MTH-80, fits the bill. Reasonably priced and made from high-carbon steel, the MTH-80 slices and dices with the best of them, and it retains its sharpness longer than your run-of-the-mill blade. We can’t promise Boulud-like results in a beginner’s hands. But for anyone with aspirations of doing more cooking at home, this knife’s balanced grip will improve their confidence—and, in time, their speed—while chopping and cutting.

The ritual and scent of burning incense at home is lovely, but cleaning up the ash it leaves behind? Not so much. With its slightly depressed top, the chic and simple Glass Bubble Incense Holder is designed to hold incense and catch the spent remains neatly. It’s made of shatter-resistant borosilicate glass, so it’s tougher than its delicate curves let on. Pair it with Golden Coast Incense Sticks by P.F. Candle Co., which captures the scent of Northern California: sun-warmed coastal sage, sea salt, eucalyptus, and redwood.

Silicone oven mitts are a great upgrade from traditional mitts, but to be frank, most look like garish cat-grooming gloves. That’s why these cotton-silicone hybrids are such a gem, offering “the best combination of good looks and good coverage” among the oven mitts and pot holders we tested. They’re gift worthy in purpose and presentation, heat-safe up to 650 degrees Fahrenheit, and long enough to protect against splatters or hot handles (up to the tops of your forearms). The Five Two mitts are an ideal gift for the prolific baker or even the aspiring backyard-BBQ pit master who likes to play with fire but doesn’t want to get burned.

The maker of one of our favorite gift baskets, Zingerman’s is an Ann Arbor, Michigan–based grocery whose delicious offerings have won it favor across the country. The Weekender Gift Box includes some of its most popular items, such as sour cream coffee cake, peanut brittle, salami, and artisan bread. All of the contents have a relatively long shelf life, which means your recipients can nosh for days while unpacking.

Don’t be fooled by the 5-inch size of this oiled-beechwood and horsehair dustpan and brush set. Due to its compact dimensions, it can be left nearly anywhere around the house for cleaning up dust, crumbs, and other small debris, and its soft bristles won’t mar most surfaces. And because it nests neatly into a single half-circle, it stays out of the way between uses. Give one to your tidiest friend, particularly if they grind their own coffee beans—they’ll appreciate how easy this set makes sweeping up between brew sessions.

Sure, you can pack your picnic spread into any old gift-with-purchase tote. But nothing will be more whimsical and practical at once than transporting your spread in a woven picnic basket. It’s also a great way to encourage recent transplants to get out and enjoy their new digs. Artisans at the Ohio-based home-decor company Longaberger weave each showpiece by hand from thin strips of durable maplewood, creating a roomy vessel perfect for crunchy baguettes, nubs of salty cheese, or just classic PB&J sandwiches. The lid—which costs extra—doubles as a cutting board for easy serving and slicing. For a more complete gift, consider pairing it with one of our picnic-blanket recommendations.

An elegant tablecloth and napkins can elevate a simple meal into a special occasion and inspire the recipient to fill their new home with new friends. Among the best we found in our testing are these table linens from Rough Linen (which, contrary to the company’s name, are ridiculously soft). Made from 100% Belgian linen, Rough Linen’s napkins and tablecloth are machine washable and resistant to puckers and wrinkles (though they’re easy to steam or iron). Though some dwellers may already own a set of neutral linens, these also come in a range of subtle colors that could be perfect for a holiday party or a festive taco night. We also love the rougher Orkney linen for a more relaxed vibe.

For the gourmand on your list, a Dutch oven will become the most-used cookware in their kitchen, whether it’s employed for braising meats, simmering soups, or baking breads. And there’s nothing quite like the smell (and effort) of a slow-cooked, long-bubbling meal to make a brand-new house feel like a home. Wirecutter’s favorite is this Lodge cast-iron model: It performed just as well as pricier models we’ve tested. And the large handles make it easy to carry, even when it’s weighed down by, say, a hefty roast or a batch of Super Bowl chili. Thanks to an assortment of cheery color options, this Dutch oven also looks darling sitting on the stove.

Many Jewish homes have a mezuzah (a parchment inscribed with a prayer, ensconced in decorative casing) affixed to the door frame as a reminder of God’s presence. This pretty brass version, from New York City–based designer Jonathan Adler, is made from solid brass and coated with lacquer to help keep it rust free in even the worst weather. Note: It does not come with the klaf (prayer-inscribed parchment), but you can find one at most Judaica shops.