Most newlyweds already have the dinnerware and flatware basics covered, but with the onset of the holiday season, the spotlight has shifted to giving more unusual tabletop items.
Consider a fine table that is set with serving plates for oysters, or handmade pasta bowls, or perhaps a pie server that has become a modern classic.
And who knew that eating a mango required a special utensil? It was considered an exotic delicacy in Europe a hundred or more years ago when wealthy Victorians were eating the fruit with specially designed silver forks. New ones are now made using the same three-tined design as the antique ones. A set of them would make a distinctive gift.
Wood trays, ice cream bowls or proper fish knives also make good wedding gifts and are welcome holiday presents for those (married or not) on your shopping list.
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1.Mango ForkJack Lenor Larsen, the textile designer, created this modern, hand-forged stainless-steel mango fork, which is made in Thailand. The long center tine pierces the stem end of the fruit, which is then peeled from the top and eaten like a lollipop.
$30 each from Longhouse.org, 631-329-3568.
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2.Dotted Pasta BowlEach handmade porcelain pasta bowl in the dot pattern is 9¼ inches in diameter; the dots come in a choice of six colors on a cream background.
$208 for a set of four from Davis Studio, davistudio.com, 518-392-7308.
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3.Modern Ice Cream BowlsA set of two double-walled stainless-steel ice cream bowls, with spoons, are constructed to keep the dessert ice-cold when served.
$60 for two from the MoMA Store, store.moma.org, 800-851-4509
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4.Sleek Pie ServerArne Jacobsen designed this matte stainless-steel pie server in 1957.
It is $35 from Georg Jensen, georgjensen.com, 800-546-5253.
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5.Fish KnifeThe stainless-steel Albi 2 fish knife from Christofle, designed in France in 1968, has a classic blade that makes cutting fish away from the bone easier than it is with a dinner knife.
$35 each from Christofle, christofle.com, 800-599-2352.
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6.Wooden Serving BoardEach 36-inch-long serving board, made from rescued maple or pecan wood from fallen trees, is slightly different.
$160 each from Food 52, food52.com.
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7.Lavender Oyster PlateAbigail’s ceramic oyster plate has room for six oysters on the half shell and sauce in the center. Available in lavender, yellow or salmon.
$38 each from Abigail’s, abigails.net, 800-678-8485.
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8.Splattered PlatesWood spice bowls by Black Creek Mercantile and Trading are made of maple with splatter designs in black and gold. The shallow bowls come in two sizes, 6½ inches or 9½ inches, and can be used for things like nuts or olives.
$130 or $150, retailers listed at blackcreekmt.com or at 917-797-1903