Buying a gift for an Armenian friend and want it to really land? Skip the generic. Armenians are famously proud of their culture — and two things sit right at the heart of it: chess and backgammon. A handmade board is personal, useful, unmistakably Armenian, and built to last for decades. In other words, it is exactly the kind of gift people remember. This guide breaks down the best options by who you are buying for and how much you want to spend.
Why a Game Is the Perfect Armenian Gift
Few gifts carry as much meaning. Armenia is the only country in the world where chess is a compulsory school subject, and it has produced a world champion in Tigran Petrosian and a modern star in Levon Aronian. Backgammon — nardi — is played in every courtyard, at every family gathering, on every summer evening. Give an Armenian a handmade board and you are speaking their language.
Give an Armenian a handmade board and you are not giving a game — you are giving every evening they will ever play on it.
For the One Who Loves Tradition — Backgammon (Nardi)
If your friend is the sort who lights up at the crack of dice on wood, backgammon is the safest bet in this guide. The nicest touch of all: many boards can be personalized with a name, date or message carved right in — a thoughtful gift for well under most budgets. Patriotic favorites include the Tigran the Great set and hand-carved Mount Ararat boards. New to the game yourself? Our guide on how to play Armenian backgammon makes a lovely note to tuck in with the gift.
Browse them all in the Backgammon Sets collection.
For the Strategist — Chess
Has your friend got a competitive streak, or a child just learning the game? A hand-carved Armenian chess set is a gift they will keep for life. Start with a handmade classic set, step up to a carved grapevine design, or make a statement with a Mount Ararat board. Our full guide to Armenian chess sets helps you match the design to the person.
For the One Who Has Everything — Statement Pieces
When your friend already owns the classics, reach for something that stops the room. A marble and onyx chess set with weighty bronze pieces, or a modern epoxy-resin art board where painting and wood meet under glassy resin — these are the gifts that get photographed.
The Once-in-a-Lifetime Gift
For a wedding, a milestone birthday, or the friend who has been there for everything — this is the tier that becomes a family heirloom. The Chess & Backgammon Set by Hrachya Ohanyan puts both national games in one signed piece, while a full chess table turns the game into the centerpiece of an entire room.
Small Gifts & Thoughtful Extras
Working with a smaller budget, or adding to a gift you have already chosen? A set of hand-finished backgammon pieces — from simple carved wood to premium bronze with a pomegranate motif — makes a lovely stand-alone present or a special upgrade for a board they already own.
A Gift Guide by Budget
Short on time? Match the budget to the moment:
| Budget | Gift idea | Why it lands |
|---|---|---|
| Small & thoughtful | A personalized backgammon set | Their name or a message, carved right in |
| Classic gift | A handmade wooden chess set | A timeless set they will keep for life |
| Something special | A Mount Ararat board | Armenia's sacred peak, hand-carved |
| Statement piece | A marble chess or epoxy-art board | The gift that gets photographed |
| Heirloom | A Hrachya Ohanyan flagship or table | A signed piece passed down for generations |
Not Sure? Make It Personal.
When in doubt, personalize. Many of our backgammon sets can be engraved with a name, a wedding date or a short message — the detail that turns a beautiful board into their board. It is the closest thing to a guaranteed win in gift-giving, and it costs nothing extra in thought once you know your friend loves the game.
Final Word
The best gift for an Armenian friend is one that honors what they love — and few things are more Armenian than an evening over chess or nardi. Whether you spend a little or a lot, a handmade board carries heritage, craftsmanship and countless future games in one thoughtful package. That is a gift that keeps giving, long after the wrapping is gone.