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Easy on the Budget Gifts $ 60 or Less

Best Gift Ideas 2012

Here's my top picks of housewares and kitchen gifts under $60. These are sure to be much appreciated - some are time savers and some are just handy and practical.

1. Presto SaladShooter Electric Slicer/Shredder

Photo © Presto

For well under $60, the SaladShooter® offers lots of value in an easy-to-store and clean electric tool for shredding or slicing. You can easily and quickly shred cheese or slice a host of vegetables for eating fresh, for soups and stews. It can even chop nuts or make bread crumbs. Presto makes two sizes of their popular SaladShooter, a standard model 02910 that retails in the $30-$40 range and a Professional model 02970 for around $60 that includes more accessories and is slightly larger. My review is for the standard model. Either model would make an ideal gift especially for the cheese lover.

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2. Yonanas Frozen Treat Maker

Photo © Yonanas

With only a frozen banana, you can make a guilt-free, sugar-free, gluten-free and dairy-free soft serve dessert. You can add some interesting ingredients if you like; it's up to you. But once you enjoy the ease of use, quick clean-up and the tasty offerings from this machine, you'll be hooked. This is a great gift for anyone but especially for those on special diet regimens. The Yonanas Maker does come with some recipes, but consumers have been getting very creative with this treat maker, so there are lots of recipes available. But really, a banana is all you need. Find Yonanas recipes

3. Hamilton Beach Stay or Go Deluxe Set & Forget Slow Cooker

Photo © Hamilton Beach

The choice of three ways to cook is definitely it's best attribute, but the Stay or Go style of this Set & Forget slow cooker certainly gives it party appeal. Cooking performance is excellent and that can be attributed somewhat to the lid that seals better than most. As for programming or set-up, the control panel is very easy to understand and use. The slow cooker also washes up nicely. Overall, the Hamilton Beach Deluxe Set & Forget Slow Cooker looks impressive and tends to grab your 'cooking' attention. The accessories give it style as well as function. Simply put - it's a joy to cook with and you can't wait for the next social, to show it off. As for price, you can't beat the value and function you get with this full-featured slow cooker.

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4. Hamilton Beach 3-in-One Grill/Griddle

Photo © Hamilton Beach

This is an extremely nice appliance to use, easy to clean and one that gives you three options of cooking surface. It's suitable for singles, couples or families, because this grill/griddle has a total cooking surface of 180 sq.inches.

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5. Cuisinart Ice Cream Frozen Yogurt & Sorbet Maker

Photo Courtesy PriceGrabber

This yogurt and sorbet maker can prepare ice cream, frozen yogurt or drinks in 40 minutes or less. It requires a little preparation first by placing the bowl in the freezer for a few hours to get it cold and ready. After that, follow instructions to a frozen treat.

Also check out the Cuisinart Pure Indulgence Ice Cream Maker. It's extremely popular with consumers and a good way to make your own preservative-free ice cream at home.
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6. Sure Fit Deluxe Pet Cover

Photo Courtesy PriceGrabber

A nice gift for the pet lover - a chair or sofa cover that they can quickly remove to launder. Though very practical, pet owners generally love easy-to-care-for products that make life more comfortable for their pets. The Sure Fit® Deluxe Pet Cover is machine washable and easy to drape over a chair. Pet Covers are available for a chair or a sofa.

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7. Sunbeam Cupcake Maker

Photo © Sunbeam

A great little appliance for those who love making cupcakes and muffins, the Sunbeam Cupcake Maker makes them in about 10 minutes. The appliance has a nonstick interior so clean-up is quick and easy. Making homemade muffins and cupcakes is a great way to save money, but it also ensures preservative-free baking for desserts or lunches.

8. Saber Knives 8" Chef Knife

Photo Courtesy PriceGrabber

With a quality forged high-carbon German steel blade, a hollow ground sharp edge and comfortable riveted handle, this professional quality Saber Knife is the affordable way to build your kitchen knife collection. Saber Knives rival top brands for quality and performance, but keep the price affordable.

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9. Presto FlipSide Belgian Waffle Maker

Photo © Presto

The ideal appliance for the waffle lover - the Presto FlipSide Belgian Waffle Maker has a neat flipping feature that helps to distribute the batter. And this waffle is large and deep-pocketed for the creative topping lover. Good performance and value - in fact you can often this waffle maker for less than $50.

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10. Crock-Pot Create-A-Crock Slow Cooker SCCPCM553-W

Crock-Pot has a new release that might just be the perfect gift - the Create-A-Crock Slow Cooker. You pick the design background that appeals to you, upload your favorite photos and place your order. There's some lead time needed - about 3-4 weeks, so you'll want to create your crock and order soon if this item is going to be a gift. Affordable at $49.99 and truly unique in design, this is customizable gift that is sure to please.

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