Gifts For Adults

The range covers classic strategy games, outdoor lawn games, puzzles, chess sets and traditional favourites like croquet and Aunt Sally. Most pieces are made from solid wood with proper attention to finish and weight. These are gifts for people who appreciate quality over novelty, whether they are seasoned players or picking up a classic game for the first time.

Wood feels substantial in the hand, ages well and does not end up in landfill after a season. A well-made wooden chess set or garden game will outlast most electronic alternatives by decades. Jaques has been making wooden games since 1795, and pieces from that era still survive today, which says everything you need to know about the durability of the material.

Many of them are ideal. Classic board games, card games and puzzles are sociable without being physically demanding, and familiar games often spark real conversation across generations. Pieces are generally well-sized and easy to handle. If you are buying for someone with reduced dexterity, look at sets with larger playing pieces, and check the individual product descriptions for dimensions.

Keep wooden pieces away from prolonged damp and direct heat sources such as radiators, which can cause warping or cracking. A light wipe with a dry or barely damp cloth is usually all that is needed. For outdoor wooden sets, bring them in after use rather than leaving them out overnight. Occasional treatment with a natural wood oil will help maintain the finish over years of use.

Think about where they spend their time. Garden entertainers tend to love lawn games like croquet or boules. People who enjoy an evening in with friends often appreciate a well-made card game or strategy game. If in doubt, a classic like chess or a quality puzzle set is rarely duplicated and almost always welcome. Jaques pieces are also distinct enough in quality to stand apart from high-street versions.

It is a fair question. The honest answer is that solid hardwood construction, brass or metal fittings and hand-finished pieces do genuinely survive generations of use when looked after properly. Jaques has been trading since 1795, and the company holds documented examples of sets made over a century ago that are still playable. Build quality makes the difference, and that is something you can assess simply by holding a piece.

Jaques offers gift wrapping options at checkout, and some products can be personalised with engraving or custom finishing. Check the individual product page for personalisation details, as availability varies by item. A personalised chess set or croquet mallet makes a notably more considered gift than an off-the-shelf alternative, and the added detail is usually what people remember years later.