Congratulations! You don’t have to cook Thanksgiving dinner this year.
Spend Less and Give More with These Thanksgiving Host Gifts Under $25
Published Nov. 9, 2022.
But if you don’t want to show up to the dinner you’ve been invited to empty-handed, you might be stumped about what to bring. Sure, a bottle of wine is never a bad idea, but what if you want to stand out from the crowd?
Don’t worry, we have you covered.
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We talked to the ATK Reviews Team, experts on equipment (and gift-giving!) to compile a list of affordable gifts your Thanksgiving host is sure to enjoy.
These gift ideas run the gamut of practical to whimsical and, most importantly, won’t break the bank.
For the Bar Cart
“Personally, I think the best gift for someone who's hosting Thanksgiving is a bottle of bourbon,” says Miye Bromberg, senior editor for ATK Reviews. And we couldn’t agree more. If someone is taking the time to cook an entire spread for a crowd, consider bringing a thoughtful companion to their favorite booze.
- A good wine opener, such as the Brabantia Tasty+ Corkscrew ($13.11) (and okay, maybe a bottle of wine), is a great idea for someone who drinks, suggests Sawyer Phillips, assistant digital editor for ATK Reviews.
- A champagne saver ($12.08), recommended by Chase Brightwell, associate editor for ATK Reviews, is far more affordable than a bottle of champagne. Our winner is leakproof and easy to use. Plus, if your host has a wine fridge, the flat top ensures it will fit with ease.
- Or, skip the booze. Carolyn Grillo, senior editor for ATK Reviews, suggests bringing some spirit-free alternatives. Help your tea-loving host relax after the big event with a small bag of loose leaf tea and our favorite tea infuser ($18). Or, bring them a nonalcoholic spirit or cocktail, such as a bottle of Proteau Rivington Spritz. ($24.70)
Give a Hand-Drawn Illustration
Renowned illustrator John Burgoyne has produced more than 150 intricate pieces for Cook’s Illustrated magazine. America’s Test Kitchen is proud to partner with Mr. Burgoyne, offering a select number of fine art prints featuring this iconic artwork.Kitchen Essentials
If they're short on tools, here are some handy kitchen items recommended by Lisa McManus, executive editor for ATK Reviews, that are sure to bring a smile to your host’s face. Gift just a few or get creative and build a nice gift basket with a few items for each step of the cooking process.
Prep Tools:
- With the The Norpro Grip-E-Z Apple Slicer ($17.27), their next Deep-Dish Apple Pie will come together in a flash.
- Put a bow on a Wilton Recipe Right Nonstick 6-Cup Muffin Tin ($9.99) and handwrite one of our great muffin recipes, such as our Cranberry-Pecan Muffins, on an index card for a personal touch.
- Pair a beautiful Faay Teak Wooden Spoon ($10.99) with a jar of spices, such as a Spice Rub for Steaks and Chops (or a store-bought blend).
- Give your host “the whisk to rule all whisks,” says Miye— the OXO Good Grips Flat Whisk ($9.95). A flat whisk will turn your host into sauce royalty. Miye prefers a flat whisk to pretty much every other kind. “We can all agree that gravy is the sauce that binds, right? Can't have Thanksgiving without it, or without a flat whisk.”
- Sawyer says the OXO Good Grips Black Nylon Flexible Pie Server ($9.95) ensures each slice of the pie the host lovingly baked comes out beautifully.
- Our winning bar boards, recommended by Chase, are cute and practical powerhouses essential for any kitchen.
DIY Gifts
A make-ahead mix is the perfect blend of a useful item with a personal touch. They have a lengthy shelf life, so the host need not use them right away.
Kate Shannon, deputy editor for ATK Reviews, suggests pairing the mix with our favorite mini whisk, the Tovolo Stainless Steel 6" Mini Whisk. "It's adorable and surprisingly handy," she says.
Chase suggests the following mixes:
Photo credit: PavelKant/via Getty Images Plus