Don’t miss our two previous gift guides: Gifts Under $25 and Gifts Under $50.

Prices and availability of the items on this list may change. Everything listed below was under $100 at the time of publication.

Also check out our blog post about Kitchen Basics to find all of our picks for kitchen equipment, tools, and supplies that every kitchen needs.

Gifts For Food Lovers Under $100

Lodge 6-Quart Dutch Oven – Every kitchen should have a Dutch oven. It’s the most versatile piece of cookware you’ll own and this enameled cast-iron Dutch oven will last generations. It comes in several colors and is guaranteed to get used over and over!

Raclette Table – A few years ago I went to a holiday gathering where we all sat around a raclette table and ate delicious grilled food topped with melted cheese. What more could a girl want? It was SO much fun and now I think every party should have a raclette table. THIS is a fun gift for the entertainer in your life. (Read more about what raclette is here.)

Shun Chef’s Knife – A quality chef’s knife is a cook’s most prized possession and Shun makes some of the best of the best knives out there. Another great option is this 8″ Chef’s Knife from Misen.

Truff Hot Sauce Gift Set – This indulgent gift set is perfect for anyone who likes the earthy flavor of truffles AND hot sauce. …But they also have gift sets of truffle-flavored sauces and oil if your truffle lover doesn’t like spicy.

Lodge 5-Piece Set – You aren’t going to get more gift-giving bang for your buck than this 5-piece cast iron cookware set! Two frying pans, one Dutch oven, AND a griddle?! This set is an incredible value and the gift receiver will be very intrigued by what could be in that extra heavy box under the tree. 😅

Kitchenaid Hand Mixer – Kitchenaid stand mixers are kind of a status symbol in the culinary world, but if you don’t have hundreds to blow on the countertop version, this hand-held mixer will still provide plenty of power and reliability to make all the baked goods your giftee’s heart desires.

De’Longhi Espresso Machine – We’re all trying to make more coffee at home instead of hitting the drive-through, and this is the perfect entry-level espresso machine. De’Longhi is a name I trust and I owned one of their machines myself for many years before handing it down to a friend who still uses it daily. They’re built to last!

3-Quart Covered Casserole – Second only to a Dutch oven, this covered casserole will be one of your giftee’s most used pieces of cookware. It can be used on the stovetop like a deep skillet, or in the oven like a casserole dish. You can use it for just about anything and the enameled cast iron construction will last a lifetime!

Ninja Blender – If a Vitamix isn’t in your budget, this Ninja blender is a great alternative. We have this blender at the Budget Bytes studio and it’s quite powerful and large enough to make blended soups or crepe batters. ;)

AeroGarden Harvest – If you know someone who doesn’t have a yard, or maybe even a windowsill with decent natural light, this AeroGarden can bring a lot of joy to their life. Not only will these herbs make their homemade food taste amazing, but growing plants can just be good for the soul. :)

Want even more ideas? Find our full Gift Ideas under $100 list on our Amazon shop!

The post Gifts for Foodies Under $100 appeared first on Budget Bytes.

Prices and availability of the items on this list may change. Everything listed below was under $25 at the time of publication.

The gift ideas in this round-up are all fun and interesting finds for food lovers, but if you’re more of a practical gift giver, check out our blog post about Kitchen Basics to find all of our picks for kitchen equipment, tools, and supplies that every kitchen needs.

Gift Ideas for Food Lovers Under $50

Bamboo Cutting Board Set – These bamboo cutting boards are absolutely gorgeous and any home cook would be happy to use and display them in their kitchen

Iridescent Decanter Set – I’m obsessed with how pretty this decanter set is and it comes in four different colors! I love the almost retro vibes of the amber set, but the other colors are beautiful as well. Even if you just drink water out of this it will feel ✨fancy✨.

Hot Sauce Making Kit – As a hot sauce lover, this kit looks REALLY fun! I can only imagine the creativity (and maybe obsession) that it would spark, leading to tons of homemade hot sauces even after the contents of the kit have been used.

Pour Over Coffee Maker – We have a similar pour-over coffee maker in the Budget Bytes studio and I highly recommend it! Not only does it make great coffee and look pretty, but that metal filter has come in handy for many other purposes. Ha!

Fondue Set – Give the gift of having an excuse to eat an entire meal dipped in melted cheese. Honestly, why did fondue ever go out of style?? Who doesn’t love food dipped in melted cheese or chocolate?!

The New Cooking School Cookbook – America’s Test Kitchen is the expert of experts when it comes to cooking techniques, so if you have a friend or family member who really wants to hone their kitchen skills, this is the definitive guide! (The non-advanced version of this book is also available here for under $25.)

Sourdough Starter Kit – If you know someone who is just now getting into bread baking (or maybe trying again for a second time after the pandemic started), this sourdough starter kit is super cool. It has everything you need to make an Instagram-worthy loaf!

Frozen Fruit Soft Serve Maker – Okay, this thing looks really cool. It turns any frozen fruit into a soft, scoopable frozen sorbet. Remember that “nice cream” trend from ten years ago? It’s like that except you don’t need a food processor and you can use any fruit. Perfect for the frozen treat lover!

Tea Sampler Set – Know someone who is starting to show an interest in tea? This sampler set of looseleaf tea is the perfect way to dip your toes into the vast world of tea. Pair it with a simple diffuser for a complete set!

Gooseneck Kettle – Whether you’re buying for a coffee or tea drinker, this gooseneck tea kettle makes the brewing process an event. It’ll make you feel like you’re ordering coffee from a super pricey gourmet cafe, except YOU get to be the hipster barista! 😂

Charcuterie Set – This one is for the entertainer in your life, or someone who just loves to have an extra special girl dinner on Friday night. ;) It’s got everything you need and I know it would get a lot of use in our house!

The Food Lab – Science lovers unite! This book is perfect for people who like to take a really technical approach to cooking, or who love science just as much as cooking itself. Super cool, if you ask me!

Kids Cooking Set – I shared a similar cooking set for kids in our gifts under $25 round-up, but this one is a little bit nicer and is definitely great for people who love to have everything be aesthetically pleasing. ;)

Homemade Pizza Set – Okay, maybe this list is just turning into a list of things I want, but if you know someone who is as obsessed with pizza as I am, they’d probably like this set too.

Omsom Ramen Noodle Sampler – Know a noodle lover? This sampler set of different saucy noodles looks absolutely drool-worthy, and will probably help the receiver spend a little less on take out!

Want even more ideas? Find our full Gift Ideas under $50 list on our Amazon shop!

The post Gifts For Foodies Under $50 appeared first on Budget Bytes.

Also check out our Gifts for Foodies Under $50 list!

Prices and availability of the items on this list may change. Everything listed below was under $25 at the time of publication.

The gift ideas in this round-up are all fun and interesting finds for food lovers, but if you’re more of a practical gift giver, check out our blog post about Kitchen Basics to find all of our picks for kitchen equipment, tools, and supplies that every kitchen needs.

Gift Ideas for Food Lovers Under $25

Recipe Journal – This really cool blank book is like a homemade recipe journal and scrapbook in one. It’s perfect for home cooks who love the nostalgia and memories that come with family favorite recipes. It comes with stickers and labels to decorate the pages and make every page unique!

Mug Warmer – This mug warmer is a game changer, especially if you’re working from home. I fell in love with this particular mug warmer because of the wood veneer that kind of gives it a mid-century modern feel, plus it kind of looks like a record player!

Let’s Make Ramen – Perfect for kids or anyone who loves graphic novels, this beautifully illustrated cookbook brings together the best of both worlds! It’s educational, fun, and total eye candy. I could just look at this for hours!

Vintage Coffee Mug Set – I’m all about romanticizing everyday life and these gorgeous vintage-style glass coffee mugs will definitely achieve that. Whether you use them for coffee, tea, or even your overnight oats, they’ll make your everyday life feel extra special.

White Truffle Oil – IYKYK. Truffle oil makes everything taste extra fancy! Just one small drizzle of truffle oil will give any food a bold, earthy flavor. Tip: make sure the receiver is a fan of truffle before gifting this one. You’re either a truffle person and love all things truffle, or a truffle hater. There is no in-between. 😆

Copper French Press – Not only does a French Press make a mean cup of coffee, but they’re absolutely beautiful. Making everyday life a little extra special is such an underrated gift!

The Complete Baking Book for Young Chefs – If you have a young cook on your list, this cookbook designed for kids is sure to be a hit! I had a similar book when I was growing up and it resulted in countless hours of fun that also helped me learn.

Kids Cooking Set – It’s never too early to get your kids involved in the kitchen! This super cute set lets kids feel like they’re involved, but in a safe and age-appropriate manner.

Glass Tumbler Set – If you have an iced coffee lover on your list, this glass tumbler set is SO cute. They come with bamboo AND plastic lids, and metal straws. They’d be perfect for smoothies, too!

Dog-Themed Silicone Molds – For the food-lover who also loves dogs, these super cute silicone molds and cookie cutters are such a fun gift. Both your friend and their pooch will thank you. ;)

The Flavor Bible – This books is perfect for the experimental cook or your friend who loves crafting the perfect recipe. This book explores flavor, how to pair them in a recipe, and how to get creative with ingredients. It will definitely take your cooking skills to the next level!

Ceramic Mug Set – I’m low-key in love with these mugs and will likely buy them for myself this year (if someone else doesn’t – hint hint). The colorful glaze and handmade feel will make any mug of coffee or tea instantly more cozy.

Cake Decorating Set – With all the cake decorating competition shows and artistically decorated cakes on social media, who hasn’t fantasized about becoming a master cake decorator? A simple cake-decorating kit like this is the perfect place to start.

Glass Teapot with Infuser – Hello gorgeous! This glass teapot with a built-in (and removable) metal infuser is such a pretty gift for the tea-lover in your life!

Homemade Sushi Kit – Okay, I’d buy this kit for the adorable little ceramic cat chopstick holders alone! I can’t think of a better no-screen activity for kids and adults alike than making your own homemade sushi.

Want even more ideas? Find our full Gift Ideas under $25 list on our Amazon shop!

The post Gifts for Foodies Under $25 appeared first on Budget Bytes.

This post contains affiliate links and I may earn a commission from any products purchased through the links provided in this post. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. 

I’ve linked online versions of these gift ideas below, but even if that particular item or vendor isn’t a good fit for you, hopefully it will get those gift ideas churning in your head and inspire some really great gifts this season!

Gifts Under $10

International Snacks – It is so much fun trying snacks from other countries. New flavors, new colors, new textures, it’s just such an adventure. Gather together a few fun and exciting snacks, place them in a stocking, gift bag, or gift box, and you’ve got an easy gift that anyone will love. You can find international snacks at your local international grocery store, or if you have a World Market nearby, they tons of fun foods from all around the world (all snacks in the photo above are from World Market).

Cute Mugs – A cut mug makes your daily coffee or tea ritual so much more special. The mug alone is a great gift, or you can stuff it with a couple of packets of hot cocoa, a few tea bags, or maybe a tea strainer or swizzle stick. (mugs picture above: mushroom mug, good vibes only mug, line art mug, blue glazed mug-not available online).

Homemade Treats – Homemade treats don’t cost a lot but they have big value because they’re made with your time and lovey. Here are some ideas for homemade treats that can be packaged and gifted:

• Candied Almonds
• Homemade Cookies
• Homemade Biscotti
• Homemade Hot Cocoa Mix
• Cranberry Orange Scones

Specialty Herbs and Spices – This gift can be as inexpensive or as expensive as you want to make it. To buy herbs and spices on a budget, go to international markets or markets where you can buy spices in bulk, which will allow you to purchase just a tablespoon or two of a variety of spices.

Gifts Under $25

Bacon Bin – This cute little gadget is perfect for the bacon lover in your life! It’s a silicone container that allows you to easily and safely catch and strain your bacon grease. Once cool, you can store the grease in the container for use in other recipes, or easily scoop/squeeze to discard (but please don’t discard because it’s SO delicious).

Tea Press – This beautifully simple tea press is great for people who appreciate a minimal aesthetic. I love watching the tea leaves swirl around in the glass carafe as they brew! Make it a set by including a package of your favorite loose leaf tea.

Pour Over Coffee Cup – I’m loving this single-serving glass mug with metal mesh pour-over filter. Not only is it really pretty, but it makes a great cup of coffee and is super easy to clean. This one is great for anyone who loves a good cup of coffee, but doesn’t need to brew a whole pot!

Cheese Board Set – Charcuterie boards and cheese boards are all the rage right now, so give the cheese lover in your life this cute little cheese set complete with cutting board and three cheese knives. It’s the perfect size for an everyday cheese board. You know, those nights when you want to treat yourself to something ✨special✨ and you just have cheese and bread for dinner? I know that’s not just me…

Ramp Up Mini Collection – I’m obsessed with vinegar, so when this set crossed my feed I immediately bought it. The set contains four raw and unfiltered flavored vinegars that taste good on everything. It’s a set of four small 2oz. bottles, but you only need a splash on your food to really brighten things up. (P.S. the bottles in the photo are not all full because I’ve been using them. 😅)

Jubilee (Recipes from Two Centuries of African American Cooking) by Toni Tipton-Martin – This cookbook is so much more than just a cookbook. It’s a history lesson, a culinary journey through time and geography, a visual masterpiece, and a compilation of some of the most delicious food you’ll ever eat. It’s beautiful enough to be on a coffee table, useful enough to be kept in the kitchen, and important enough to read cover to cover. Get this book for the food, culture, and history lover in your life!

101 Asian Dishes you Need to Cook Before You Die by Jet Tila – If you’ve been interested in learning to cook classic Asian dishes, but are intimidated, get this book! I love how simple, straightforward, and approachable all the recipes are. I’m really looking forward to working my way through this book.

A New Take on Cake by Anne Byrn – You might know Anne from her best-selling Cake Mix Doctor cookbooks, or from my previous recommendations for her books Skillet Love and American Cake. Her most recent book, A New Take on Cake, takes a fresh modern look at all the amazing things you can make with a box of cake mix (175 of them, to be exact). Her creativity is inspiring and the photos in this book will make you want to spend your Saturdays in the kitchen! It’s perfect for your family member or friend with a sweet tooth! …or if you just want to convince someone to bake for you. ;)

The Well Plated Cookbook: Fast, Healthy Recipes You’ll Want to Eat by Erin Clarke – Erin is a friend and fellow food blogger over at WellPlated.com, so I know how much heart and hard work she puts into the food she creates. After receiving my copy of this book, I immediately thought of about five people I wanted to gift a copy to. The recipes are simple, fresh, and absolutely fabulous!

Sweet Potato Soul: 100 Easy Vegan Recipes for the Southern Flavors of Smoke, Sugar, Spice, and Soul by Jenné Claiborne – The name says it all! I’ve been following Jenne on Instagram for a while (@sweetpotatosoul), so I was so excited to see her publish a cookbook. If you’ve got a vegan foodie on your list, get them this book!

Gifts Under $50

Fly by Jing Triple Threat Set – I’ve recently become obsessed with chili crisp, a Chinese condiment that is spicy, savory, and absolutely delicious on everything. So when I started to see ads for this chili crisp made by Fly By Jing, you know I ordered it on the spot. Not only did I try their Sichuan Chili Crisp, but I went ahead and ordered their Triple Threat Set, which also comes with their Zhong Sauce and Mala Spice Mix. Yep, I’m addicted to all three (Mala spice on popcorn is 💯). This set would make the perfect gift for anyone you know that loves spicy food!

Orchids and Sweet Tea: Plant-Forward Recipes with Jamaican Flavor & Southern Charm by Shanika Graham-White – Shanika is another one of my favorite accounts to follow on Instagram (@orchidsnsweettea_) because I love her flavor combinations and her photography gives me all the feels. 🥰 I bought her book as soon as it went on pre-order last spring, and was not disappointed! This is a great gift for someone who loves traditional comfort foods but also appreciates incorporating a few extra plants into their meals.

Caldo Linen Apron – I didn’t think I was one to wear an apron until my sister gave me one for Christmas a few years back. Now I wear it all. the. time. This linen apron from Caldo is wonderfully lightweight, which is nice when working in a hot kitchen, and has that luxurious linen feel. With plenty of pockets to hold cell phones, pens, and thermometers, this gift will get tons of use!

Anyday Starter Set – This incredibly well-made and versatile cookware is microwave safe (yes, even with the metal rim), dishwasher safe, oven safe (up to 500ºF for the bowl, 400ºF for the lid), and freezer safe. It’s basically the epitome of cook-serve-store cookware. I love this as a gift for anyone who doesn’t have access to a full kitchen (college dorms, RVs, long hotel stays) because it really opens up your cooking options when all you have is a microwave. Their website has tons of microwave recipes ideas, plus a lot of educational material to get you started, so it’s perfect for the new cook. You can get 10% for new email subscribers, which will make the starter set under $50, or use the code BF20 to get 20% off store-wide from 11/26-11/29.

Bushwick Kitchen Threes Knees Spicy Trio – I actually included this trio in my gift guide from 2015, but I’m including it again because I still love it! The gift set includes spicy honey, spicy maple syrup, and gochujang sriracha. It’s basically a spicy lover’s dream!

Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven – This is probably my favorite piece of cookware that I own. It makes a great gift because this is one of those pieces of cookware that will literally last a lifetime (and maybe even be passed down to your offspring). It can go from the stovetop to the oven, and the shape makes it versatile enough to use for soups and stews to pasta and rice dishes. You can use it for everything.

The Couplet Honey Set – I fell in love with Brightland’s olive oil and stayed for their honey. If you have a friend or family member who loves experiencing the subtleties of flavor in things like wine, olive oil, or honey, they’re going to love this honey from Hawaii and California. Sometimes it’s little luxuries like this that turn your everyday life, like your morning peanut butter toast or afternoon tea, into a special occasion.

Bubble Tea Kit – This bubble tea kit makes a great gift for teenagers or anyone who loves bubble tea, really. I know that *I* had a lot of fun using it to make bubble tea when I was photographing the items for this gift guide, and I already can’t wait to make more and try different flavors! If you want to make your own kit, you can source the ingredients at your local Asian grocery store and follow a recipe online, like this recipe from Healthy Nibbles and Bits.

Gifts Under $100

The Duo by Brightland – *My top pick* This is probably my favorite pandemic internet purchase and will probably be my gift to just about everyone I know this year. If you’ve only ever had inexpensive grocery store olive oil, this will blow. your. mind. This olive oil is so good that I literally want to just drink it by the spoonful (I may or may not actually do this on a regular basis…). And their vinegars are just as great. These little spouts are super helpful to prevent drips, too.

Hedley & Bennett Kitchen Apron – Hedley & Bennet aprons are like the Cadillac of kitchen aprons. They’re made with heavy-duty canvas material, they’re extremely well made, and offer a lifetime guarantee. I bought the “egg yolk” version of their classic Carryall style apron because it matches the Budget Bytes branding, but they have so many cute colors and designs to choose from! Definitely get this apron for anyone who likes to feel like a professional chef in their own kitchen. They’re currently offering 20% off for first-time email subscribers, and they always have a lot in their sale section, as well.

Bushwick Kitchen Trees Knees Maple Set – As if maple syrup couldn’t get any better, Bushwick Kitchen went and infused their maple syrup with flavor (coffee, spicy, or cinnamon). Drizzling a little bit of this maple syrup into your coffee, onto some breakfast sausage, a bowl of vanilla ice cream, or on a freshly made biscuit is just *heaven*.

Vintage Collection Enamelware – If you know someone who loves the white enamelware bakeware and dishes that I use in my recipe photographs, this is where you can get it! Pieces range in price $9 on up, so you can buy individual pieces or build a custom gift set. Some of my favorite pieces are the enamelware mugs, roasting pan, and dinner plates.

Charitable Giving

Picking out cool gifts for our friends and family members is fun, but there is no gift as important as helping someone in need. For that reason, I always include charitable giving in my list of holiday to-dos. And remember, giving doesn’t always have to be a monetary or a physical donation, sometimes donating your time through volunteering is more valuable than anything. Here are some of my favorite food-related charities that can help make someone’s holiday season a little brighter:

• Feeding America
• Meels on Wheels America
• World Central Kitchen
• The Edible Schoolyard
• The Hunger Project

If you have a great gift idea for the food lover in your life, share in the comments below!

The post Gifts for Foodies appeared first on Budget Bytes.

This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you make a purchase upon my recommendation the seller thanks me with a small percentage of the sale. I was not paid by any person or company to include the items on this list. 

Budget Bytes 2016 Gift Guide

Top Row: The Mac + Cheese Cookbook | Oil & Vinegar Flasks | American Cake | Death Before Decaf Phone Case

Middle Row: Thank You Lunch Bag | Sally’s Baking Addiction | Mason Jar Herb Garden | Pepperoni Pizza Pouch | Pizza Never Lies Pouch | Rub Away Bar | The Science of Good Cooking | Meal Planning Magnets

Bottom Row: Donut Mug | Culinary Reactions | Coffee, Create, Sleep Mug | Put An Egg On It

Links, descriptions, and my opinions on the items in this year’s gift guide below…

Kitchen Gadgets and Tools

Thank You Insulated Lunch Bag – I’m a huge fan of replacing disposable items with reusables, and this lunch bag design is super fun. And the price is reasonable!

Science Flask Oil & Vinegar Dispensers – As a previous laboratory worker, I love it when kitchen and lab ware mix. These Oil and Vinegar flasks are too cute. They also make salt and pepper dispensers, if you’re not an oil & vinegar type person.

Rub Away Bar – You know how when someone has bad breath and you tell them on the sly by offering to share your gum? Gifting this Rub Away Bar is kind of the same thing but different, LOL. I’ll be honest, I have no idea if it works, but if rubbing this piece of metal can remove hand odors like it says it does, I think any cook could use one!

Cookbooks

Culinary Reactions – Hi, it’s the scientist in me again. Half the fun of cooking is watching the science happen. This cookbook explains, in scientific terms, how and why recipes work. It’s very much like a textbook I had in college, except probably way more fun to read. ;)

The Science of Good Cooking – America’s Test Kitchen is kind of the go-to source for all things science in the kitchen, so this is an even deeper dive into the subject, for all you die-hard science or food geeks (like me!).

American Cake – If you saw my blog post for the Applesauce Cake recipe from in this book, then you know that I L-O-V-E this book. It is full of gorgeous photos and fascinating history about our country and the desserts that represent the times. This one is for the history buffs and cake lovers!

Sally’s Baking Addiction: Irrresistible Cookies, Cupcakes, and Desserts for Your Sweet-Tooth Fix – Whew, that’s a mouthful! But a tasty mouthful. This book might get you in trouble. #sorry Sally is one of my favorite food bloggers and she just re-released this book in paperback with eight new recipes added!

The Mac + Cheese Cookbook – Everything you ever needed to know about mac & cheese. And who wouldn’t want to know everything about mac & cheese?? If anything else, get this one to just drool over the photos. #cheeeeese

Fun Stuff

Mason Jar Herb Garden Gift Set – The perfect size for small apartments! These little jars will fit on windowsill so you can (hopefully) have free, fresh herbs to cook with. YAY!

Meal Planning Magnets – These fun little magnets are a great way to make a visual meal plan and maybe get the kids involved! You can pick from images on the list, or custom order magnets with photos of your favorite recipes. The store owner is also giving my readers a 10% discount on orders in December with the discount code “budgetbytes”.

Put An Egg On It – If you have an egg lover on your list, you gotta check out these t-shirts I made. Well, t-shirts, mugs, tote bags, and aprons! There are a variety of colors, fabrics, and t-shirt styles to choose from!

And here are a few things from Society6.com, a site that I LOVE! It’s full of amazing creative work and it supports independent artists. #win Most of the items on this site can be printed on a variety of products, so browse around!

Coffee, Create, & Sleep Mug – This is my life.

Pizza Never Lies Pouch – So you can show the delivery guy just how dedicated you are when you pull out your cash.

Pepperoni Pizza Pouch – Or if your pizza love goes beyond obsession. You can also get this as a comforter for your bed or a pair of leggings. Just sayin’.

Death Before Decaf – I have this on a t-shirt. So true, so true. (Also cute as a wall print)

Donut Travel Mug – And this is just cute. :)

And if you want something more practical, here are some kitchen items that I own and think any home cook would love:
[show_shopthepost_widget id=”2206956″]

The post 2016 Gift Guide appeared first on Budget Bytes.

Plus, I’ve got a pretty valuable giveaway at the bottom of the post (courtesy of Jacqueline Smith), so be sure to scroll down and check that out!

Budget Bytes 2015 Gift Guide

This list includes some affiliate links, but I was not paid or coerced to include any of these products. The list was built solely at my discretion. :D

1. Instant Pot – Confession time: I impulse bought this on Black Friday after seeing it in another blogger’s Instagram feed. I just got it the other day and already know that this item is going to LIVE on my counter top. I can’t wait to cook all the things with my new fancy Instant Pot (hello YOGURT)! Keep an eye on the price. I got mine for $78 and the the price has been bouncing around between $100-$130 in the days since.

2. Crock Pot 6-qt Slow Cooker – If the 7-in-1 Instant Pot is a bit out of your price range (I feel ya), a good, old-fashioned, basic slow cooker is still an excellent gift. The one simple item can open up a whole world of cooking, from beans to soups and slow cooked meat. This item is an inexpensive work horse!

3. Love Your Leftovers – If there’s one thing I’m not very good at, it’s coming up with new uses for my leftovers. I usually just end up eating the same meal for five days in a row. If that’s not your jam, check out this awesome book from fellow food blogger, Nick from Macheesmo.com, that provides multiple ways to use leftovers from classic dishes, like roast chicken, potatoes, or even bread! I just got this book and it’s FULL of great ideas.

4. Good and Cheap – This amazing book is full of recipes designed to help you survive on a SUPER low budget. Inspired by SNAP allowances, these recipes aim to keep you fed on about $4 per day. That’s what I’m talking about.

5. The Food Lab – One of the reasons I love cooking is because there is actually a lot of science involved. Molecules shift, change shape, and rearrange themselves to create new substances through physical and chemical manipulation. This book lays it all out for the scientist who also loves to cook (with LOTS of pictures!).

6. Wine Folly: The Essential Guide to Wine – I love the Wine Folly website and I’m super excited that they’ve put all their great info into a book. Not just any book, but a book with tons of cool charts, graphs, and infographics (that’s the science lover in me again)! If you know someone who wants to learn about wine in a fun, easy, unpretentious way, Wine Folly is where it’s at.

7. Threes Knees Spicy Trio – The Bees Knees spicy honey was on my gift guide last year and since then I’ve also purchased the Trees Knees spicy maple syrup. The syrup is my favorite so far (insanely good), but that might only be because I haven’t tried the sriracha yet. The trio of products makes a great gift and is very reasonably priced for the holidays. I’ve already ordered one for myself! :D

8. Rezip – If you have an environmentally conscious cook on your list, these reusable zip bags are a cool little gift. They’re not only great for packing your lunch, but they’re also freezer friendly so you can save your leftovers in them! (BPA, PVC, and lead free!)

9. Lodge Cast Iron Casserole with Skillet Cover – Cast iron always makes a great gift because it can last a lifetime, if not generations. This set is particularly cool because the skillet doubles as a lid for the dutch oven/casserole dish. It’s two for the price of one!

10. Hexagon Wool Felt Coasters – I really love handmade gifts because they’re not only unique, but they help support an entrepreneur. Etsy is a great place to find handmade gifts and I have to highly suggest these cool felt coasters. I bought a set of them last year (in a mix of different grey colors) and they’re SO cool. They still look brand new and I always get compliments on them. :D

11. Hand Stamped Spoons – Here’s another super cute handmade gift for that person in your life that is addicted to cold cereal. And if you like the idea, but not that particular saying, you can request a custom spoon with whatever whimsical words you like.

12. Kombucha Kit – This kit is great for that person in your life who loves DIY and loves kombucha. Kombucha can run $3-$4 per bottle at the store, so this kit will pay for itself in NO TIME. Plus, it’s a fun science experiment! Woot!

13. Ninj & Ninj Financial Planner – Despite how digital my world has gotten, some things are still really satisfying to do with pen and paper. I still love planners, and this hand designed financial planner is so cool (and beautiful, I might add). It comes with all sorts of cool extras to make planning actually kind of fun!

14. Go Sugar Free – Last summer I had the pleasure of participating in the Go Sugar Free online course, which aims to help people achieve their best health and end their addiction to added sugar. I was extremely impressed with how well researched and designed this program was, and how much Jacqueline, the program creator, cares about the participants. A Go Sugar Free membership is the perfect gift for someone who is really looking to change their dietary habits and lifestyle, and make 2016 the year of change. I might even repeat the course this spring to recalibrate after the holidays because once you join, you have a lifetime membership and can retake the course as many times as you’d like. Registration is going on now for the Winter course, which starts on January 6th. Courses are limited to a small number to make sure everyone gets individual attention, so make sure to register early!

If you’re interested in the course, but it’s not in your budget at this time, check out the giveaway below, or sign up for the Go Sugar Free newsletter to stay posted about scholarship opportunities.

That’s it for this year! If you have a really cool gift idea for the food lover or frugal friend in your life, feel free to share in the comments below! Merry Christmas!

The post 2015 Holiday Gift Guide and GIVEAWAY appeared first on Budget Bytes.

So let’s just jump right in… Here are some really cool gifty things!

Cookbooks

Okay, so first a little shameless self promotion. If you’re looking at this gift guide, then you probably like my style of cooking and kitchen-money management. If you want to share those techniques with someone you love, this book is a great way to do it! In addition to over 100 awesome recipes, there is a whole section of Kitchen Basics in the beginning of the book that will help kitchen newbies learn things like how to stock your kitchen, how to take advantage of your freezer, and the six basic principles for cooking and eating on a budget. Give the gift of learning how to cook real, delicious food to someone you love!

Cooks Illustrated is one of the most trusted names in the cooking world. They test and retest their techniques to come up with the most effective and efficient cooking methods. Basically, you’re not going to go wrong with this one. This is one of those cookbooks that can be passed down generations.

Mark Bittman is just plain cool and one of my favorite cooks. He has a simple, uncomplicated cooking style that I just adore. With this cookbook he gets back to the basics and shows you how to make simple, delicious food without the fuss. It’s an excellent book for those who are just learning how to cook as well as those who want to streamline the process without losing flavor or quality.

Food Stuffs

Flavored oils and vinegars are a really fun gift. They add so much excitement to food but are not something most people would go out and buy unless they have a ton of cash to burn. My parents got me a bottle of aged balsamic and garlic infused olive oil from Fustini’s, as specialty shop in my home town, and they are to die for. This shop is really cool because they have some incredible flavors of both balsamic vinegar and olive oil, plus they ship! If shipping isn’t practical, chances are you can find something comparable in your area.

Because sriracha is good on everything. Now you don’t have to lug a full sized bottle around in your purse *coughcough*, you can just bring one of these minis! Heads up, though, the bottle is empty and meant to be filled from your full size bottle at home.

I can’t get enough of sweet and spicy together. I want to try this spicy honey SO bad. *hint-hint* Imagine this on a toasty English muffin with butter… Oh my.

Salt is another one of those gourmet products that I’d probably never buy, but would LOVE to have. Flavored sea salts make food so much fun. From popcorn to roasted vegetables, a little sprinkle of one of these and you have a whole new meal.

Tools and Gadgets

Science is cool and so are these beaker inspired measuring cups. I wish they were glass, but I still love them just the same. If your giftee has a super technical mind and loves being accurate and precise, they’ll love measuring everything out in these awesome Oxo Measuring Beakers.

If there’s a wine lover on your list, consider an aerator. My friend bought me a version very much like this one last year and it’s awesome. It pops right into the top of an open bottle and aerates as you pour. The simple act of aerating your wine can make an $8 bottle taste like an $18 bottle.

Buying spices in bulk can be super economical, but you need your own containers to put them in. Instead of using mismatched bottles and reused containers, give someone a pretty matching set. These even come with some cool labels!

This might be the kitchen equivalent to giving socks or underwear for Christmas, but I still think they’re pretty cool. I feel guilty filling up my grocery cart with tons of plastic produce bags every week, so I’d love to have a set of these reusable cloth bags. I’ll probably get them as a gift to myself, actually!

I don’t have one of these cool vegetable spiralizers, but several of my readers have sung their praises. Take ordinary vegetables and turn them into pasta-like threads, perfect for salads, sautéing, or for use as a low-carb pasta alternative. Anything that makes vegetables more fun is a good thing, in my book.

A digital meat thermometer takes the guess work out of cooking meat. This one little (inexpensive) gadget keeps things safe and makes life so much easier, but a lot of people never bother to pick one up. The perfect little stocking stuffer.

I’m throwing this one in there for fun. If you haven’t read the reviews for this banana slicer yet, do yourself a favor and click over immediately. If the person you’re buying for is familiar with this product and it’s reviews, this would be the perfect gag gift.

Got any cool cooking/food inspired gift ideas? Share them in the comments below!

The post Budget Bytes Gift Guide 2014 appeared first on Budget Bytes.