Looking for some stocking stuffer ideas? Or maybe you're giving a gift to your coworker and don't want to go too over the top.
gifts
The Best Gifts Under $15 for Everyone on Your List
Excellent gifts don’t need to be expensive.
By Published Dec. 1, 2022
Look no further. We've rounded up some of our favorite gifts that are practical, unexpected, and under $15.
Gifts cooks will adore and use forever
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For the Budding Baker
Our Favorite Serrated Bread Knife: Mercer Culinary Millennia 10" Wide Bread Knife
If you know someone who bakes the most beautiful loaves of pillowy sandwich bread or crowd-pleasing bagel bread and then promptly tears it to shreds with a sub-par bread knife, give them an upgrade.
Our favorite serrated bread knife is razor-sharp and slices through even the crustiest sourdough loaf with ease. This serrated knife has aced our tests for many years. With fewer, deeper serrations, it has great power and slicing ability. A large, grippy handle is comfortable for hands of all sizes to hold. Not a huge baker? Even if you're making sandwich bread out of store-bought pizza dough, this knife still does the trick.
For the Precise Cook on a Budget
Our Favorite Inexpensive Kitchen Scale: BB Ozeri Pronto Digital Multifunction Kitchen and Food Scale
We love our winning OXO scale (and recommend it in other gift guides!) but the Ozeri Pronto is a best-buy option that is a fraction of the price. It's also a bit more lightweight than the OXO scale, making it easy to move around your kitchen.
It measures in ounces and pounds or in grams—perfect for a range of precision, and we love how scales cut out the extra fuss of measuring cups.
For Someone Whose Motto Is Waste Not, Want Not
Our Favorite Jar Spatula: GIR Skinny Spatula
Never again will you have to scrape those hard-to-reach areas in your peanut butter jars to no avail. We tested nine models and this model from GIR was the best at getting every last bit out of the jar. This gift solves a problem you didn't even know you had.
The construction is flawless; seamless silicone surrounds a sturdy polymer core, making it easy to clean and comfortable in hand. The flexible head handily maneuvers in tight corners and edges but is strong enough to scoop heavy food. This is an all-time team favorite.
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For the Person Who Makes the Best Salad Dressing
Our Favorite Mini Whisk: Tovolo Stainless Steel 6" Mini Whisk
Can you imagine a cuter stocking stuffer? This adorably sized whisk is ideal for small tasks such as whipping together a vinaigrette or reaching into small containers.
In testing, it performed every task quickly and efficiently, thanks to the five sturdy wire loops in its relatively broad head. The handle itself was made from smooth metal that was completely sealed off where the loops connected, so it was particularly easy to clean.
For the Person Who Hasn’t Bought New Kitchen Utensils in a Decade
Our Favorite Tongs: OXO Good Grips 12-Inch Tongs
Get rid of those flimsy tongs, and upgrade them with these excellent tongs that will take tossing, turning, and transporting to the next level. The scalloped, uncoated pincers are exceptionally precise. And because they're uncoated, they're great for grilling, too.
This model was also comfortable to use, not only because of the silicone-padded handle but also because the tension didn’t strain our hands or wrists. They felt like a natural extension of our hands.
For the Budding Patissier (Or Anyone, Really)
Our Favorite Bench Scraper: Dexter-Russell 6" Dough Cutter/Scraper
From portioning dough for biscuits to scraping counters clean to transferring chopped veggies from board to stove for a stir-fry, this useful tool can handle it all.
In our testing, we found that the handle was thick enough to provide a sturdy place to hold, and the textured polypropylene was grippy even when slicked with butter. The rectangular blade was sturdy with a thin edge, sharp enough to cut bread dough or cube butter with ease.
For the Person Who’s Determined to Eat Seasonally This Winter
Our Favorite Peeler: Kuhn Rikon Original Swiss Peeler
A sharp, ergonomic peeler that tackles even the most rugged rutabaga. Don’t be fooled by its featherweight design and cheap price tag. This Y-shaped peeler handily tackled every task, thanks to a razor-sharp blade and a ridged guide, which ensured a smooth ride with minimal surface drag.
Whether you're peeling butternut squash for a galette or carrots for a creamy soup, you'll do it with ease. (While you're at it, get that veggie-lover a cookbook to go along with the peeler.)
For Anyone Who Could Use a Sharp Little Knife
Our Favorite Paring Knife: Victorinox Swiss Army Spear Point Paring Knife
A small but mighty addition to any knife set, this extremely deft little blade feels like an extension of the hand. The blade is sharp, thin, and nimble, capable of making ultraprecise slices and incisions.
Its plastic handle is easy to grip and accommodates large and small hands easily. In addition, the handle doesn’t add too much weight to the knife overall, allowing for agile, effortless use.
For Every Single Person on Your List (Yes, Really)
Our Favorite Small Rimmed Baking Sheets: Nordic Ware Naturals Eighth Sheet Pan or Nordic Ware Naturals Quarter Sheet Pan
These smaller sizes of our winning rimmed baking sheet are an all-time Reviews team favorite and something we frequently give as gifts. The smaller size makes these pans easier to clean, handle, and store. (And they're especially perfect for someone who may be cooking for one.)
They’re ideal for baking smaller batches of cookies or scones, draining fried shallots, roasting a few sausages or fish fillets, and toasting nuts or seeds. We also like using them to hold utensils as we cook or to ferry ingredients around the kitchen or out to the grill.