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Best Gifts for $40 or Less

Quality Gift Items That Look Like You Paid More

By , About.com Guide

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They'll love these kitchen gifts. Housewares and kitchen appliances make terrific gifts, some of which are great time savers. Here's my top picks of housewares and appliance kitchen gifts under $40.

1. Ginsu Kotta Series Stainless Santoku & Cutting Board Set

Photo © Ginsu
A handy and practical Santoku knife that stores inside a hardwood cutting board. The board is designed with a cut-out handle so it can be hung or carried. The knife is made of quality Japanese steel and performs well. A nice set at an affordable price.
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2. Presto Liddle Griddle Mini Electric Griddle

Photo © Presto
Ideal for one or two persons, the Presto Liddle Griddle is easy to use, handy and cleans up quickly. You can make breakfast fare or other foods on the nonstick 8.5" x 10.5" cooking surface. An excellent gift for boomers, seniors, singles, couples, the dorm room or for a compact travel appliance.
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3. Baker's Edge Simple Lasagna Pan

Photo Courtesy PriceGrabber
Truly the best lasagna pan out there. No kidding. The 'maze' design allows great heat distribution to every 'row', noodles stay stacked during cooking/serving and the pan construction is the best for optimum baking results. The hard anodized finish makes it easier to handwash too. Really a winner and a must for lasagna lovers.
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4. Aroma Super Pot

Photo © Aroma

You can't beat the value and function you get for the price of this electric grill.  Best features include size, premium nonstick finish and high sides, so it can be used for cooking or grilling various meals.  Convenient and ideal for a couple or small family, this electric grill works well, looks nice and is so functional.

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5. Roasted Garlic Express GR300W by Todco

Roasted Garlic Express by Todco GR300WPhoto Courtesy of PriceGrabber

This is an awesome garlic lover's kitchen tool.  Roast three whole garlic cloves with a little olive oil in 27 minutes and then enjoy gourmet roasted garlic in your favorite dishes.  There's no peeling, just one small slice - it couldn't be simpler.  Small pan is nonstick so this appliance is easy to use and clean.

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6. ChapelWood Bird Seed Feeder

Photo © ChapelWood
A charming contemporary styled ceramic bird seed feeder for the garden or bird lover to hang outside the kitchen window. Read my review for detail such as size and how much seed it holds.
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7. Sachi Vino 35-042 Large Insulated Wine Tote

Photo © Sachi

An excellent gift under $30 for those who like to take wine out to socials. The Sachi Vino Insulated Wine Tote is well-designed and ideal for those who want to keep wine cool for taking to socials.  Since the padded divider tray is removable, it offers even more cold or warm food storage options. I'd recommend the 3-bottle Sachi Vino over the 2-bottle tote simply because of the added value and versatility of the larger tote for $3 more.

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8. VinOair Premier Red Wine Aerator by CorkPops

Photo © CorkPops
The ideal gift for the red wine lover - an aerator that helps to oxygenate the wine to improve flavor and smoothness. This Premier (there is an original VinOair) model has a non-drip feature, as well as a closure hinge to protect the open wine bottle. It comes in a velvet touch carrying case ready to gift wrap. Visit CorkPops
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9. Chef's Choice AngleSelect Manual Knife Sharpener 4623

Photo © Chef's Choice
Every kitchen needs a knife sharpener to keep kitchen cutlery sharp and the Chef's Choice is an excellent choice. With a three-stage design for straight edge kitchen or sports knives, serrated knives and Asian such as Santoku knives, it can sharpen all the standard knives in an average kitchen. And the best feature is the Diamond abrasives. This sharpener is lightweight so it's ideal for the hunting bag, but would also be a great gift for the home chef.
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10. Candle Warmers Ceramic Lantern

Candle Warmers Ceramic LanternPhoto Courtesy PriceGrabber

You can have the ambiance of a candle without the fire risk with Candle Warmers.  This Candle Warmers Ceramic Lantern is charming and compliments any decor. Designed to hold most large candles, the Candle Warmer has a lamp that melts the top part of the candle to release its fragrance. Remember to add her favorite scented candle (or two) to this gift.

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