There is no doubt that mineral oil is the way to go but there is one other tip I read about maintaining cutting boards.
Oil once a day for a week, once a week for a month and once a month for a year. Include this with your gift directions.
This will keep cutting boards at their best.
NEVER PUT WOOD CUTTING BOARDS IN A DISHWASHER! Sanitize with bleach and water - Rinse well.
I agree... There is nothing fancy required for finishing a cutting board.
Mineral Oil will not sour, turn rancid, or cause any other problems. You can get it, very reasonably, at just about any market or drug store in the Laxative dept.
After you have treated your cutting boards, you can also take a tablespoon by mouth if you ever get a little constipated... will lightly fix you up really good! :slap:
Incidently, we have had some of those light wooden bowls that appear to have been woven, where they were probably pressed into molds & trimmed... cheap bowls for salads, chips, etc. After a few months, they tend to dry out, change color, and really start looking bad... Taking a paper towel, dipping it in some Mineral Oil and wiping the bowls down with it turn them into Brand New looking bowls again!
It works on wooden knife handles too!
I keep a small dish handy with some Mineral Oil in it... whenever I need some, I just dip & wipe, etc. It will not evaporate... it stays... makes it really a no hassle item to use.
A once a month schedule, or whenever you feel like it, works good for me.