A Mahjong gift is a personal one. It says: I know what you love, and I hope we keep playing together. The best ones suit the person, so here are ideas sorted by the kind of player on your list, from the friend who just learned the Charleston to the one who taught you.
A few questions before you shop
- How long has she played? A beginner needs the essentials; a longtime player may already own them.
- Does she host, or travel to other games? Hosts appreciate things for the table, and travelers appreciate things that pack well.
- What does she already have? Aim to complement her set rather than duplicate it.
- What’s her style? Think about the colors of her home and the table where she plays.
If you’re unsure, quietly ask someone from her regular table.
For the beginner
- A complete American set. The most generous gift of all. Make sure it has 152 tiles, including eight jokers and eight flowers, plus four racks with pushers. Our guide to choosing a Mahjong set covers what to check.
- This year’s card. The National Mah Jongg League publishes a new card of winning hands each year, and it’s ordered directly from the League. A large-print edition is available too. Because the hands change every year, be sure you’re giving the current card.
- Lessons. Book a few lessons with a local teacher, or write out your own promise to teach: an afternoon of practice hands at your table, with lemonade.
- A starter pouch. Two dice, a scorepad, a couple of pencils, and a soft cloth for wiping tiles, all tied up together.
For the seasoned player
Longtime players usually have the essentials, so think about upgrades and small pleasures.
- A set she’d never buy for herself. A new colorway, a second set for the summer house, or one that simply makes her smile.
- A beautiful mat. It quiets the shuffle, keeps tiles from sliding, and protects her table. See our Mahjong mats.
- New racks and pushers that coordinate with her set and mat.
- A card holder, to keep the card upright and easy to read.
- A bag or case that protects her set on the way to a friend’s game.
- Her card for the year. If she usually orders her own from the League, check first to avoid a duplicate.
For the hostess
When you’re invited to play at a friend’s home, a small gift for the table is always welcome.
- Something for the snack tray. Lemon shortbread or cheese straws are kind to the tiles, since they won’t leave fingers sticky.
- Pretty cocktail napkins or coasters, for the drinks beside each chair.
- Small dishes for quarters, one for each seat.
- Scorepads and pencils, in a design that suits her table.
- Flowers in a low vase, short enough for players to see over.
For more on what makes a game night run smoothly, see How to Host a Mahjong Night.
For the whole group
A shared gift can mark a birthday, a milestone, or a group that has played together for years.
- A set for the group. Pool together for a set that lives with whoever hosts most often, or that travels from game to game.
- Cards for everyone. Order the year’s cards from the League and hand them out at the first game after they arrive.
- Matching accessories. Coordinated mats, bags, or scorepads give a regular table a sense of identity.
- A day of play. Instead of an object, plan an occasion: a long lunch followed by a game on someone’s terrace, or a weekend away with the tiles packed.
If you’re outfitting a club or ordering for a large group, visit our wholesale page.
Small gifts and stocking stuffers
Little things are often the ones used most:
- A soft microfiber cloth for wiping tiles
- A pair of dice in a small pouch
- A coin purse for quarters
- A set of coasters for the side tables
- A pretty scorepad and pencils
For more ideas, see our guide to the best Mahjong accessories.
Wrapping it well
- Add a handwritten note, perhaps with a favorite memory from your table.
- Include an invitation. A date for the next game, or a promise to teach, turns any gift into an occasion.
- Choose cheerful wrapping: blue-and-white stripes, a yellow ribbon, a sprig of something green from the garden.
The gift that matters most
The best Mahjong gift usually comes with a seat at the table. Whatever you choose, tuck in an invitation to the next game and keep the lemonade cold. And if you’d like a beautiful set to give, our first collection is coming soon.
