This story is part of Gift Guide, our year-round collection of the best gift ideas.
Ideally, you'd have the bulk of your holiday shopping done by now, right? Maybe? Possibly? But chances are you're still scanning for a few last-minute gift ideas like the rest of us. If you're on the hunt for some useful and unique gifts for a foodie, home cook or serial host, we've got you covered with a spread of great kitchen and bar gifts under $25.Â
As of writing and according to the vendors these kitchen gifts are all set to arrive before Christmas. But check with each retailer before placing an order.
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Read more:Â 9 e-gift cards to give a food or drink lover on your list
Most of the barbecue sauces you find in the store are a little one-dimensional. Bachan's Japanese sauce has layers of flavor stemming from umami-rich fish sauce, ginger and sesame. It's an excellent topper for dumplings, fish, chicken and rice. It's also an excellent stocking stuffer for anyone who loves delicious things.
One bottle is $13 but a three-pack will run you just $27. Grab one for your own pantry and two to gift.
If you usually dirty a teaspoon to mix your iced coffee and then stick a straw in to drink it up, there's a handy product that does both and it makes a great stocking stuffer for anyone who likes to mix and sip.Â
Snag one for $14 or a two-pack with cleaning brush for $24. You may need express shipping to get this nifty gadget delivered in time.
If you've got a giftee that loves making (or eating) ramen at home, Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto has created a pepper blend with black garlic, fresh peppercorn and toasted onion to add some rounded heat to the classic noodle dish.Â
Pair the $15 jar of spice with some handmade chopsticks.
Nobody is stronger than Thanos in the Marvel universe. That extra muscle will come in handy for opening pesky beer and soda bottles. Plus, you'll definitely earn some chuckles with this unique supervillain-inspired bar tool.
If you don't have a jar of chili crisp in your pantry, I'm sorry but you're doing it wrong. It's by far my biggest new condiment obsession and I'm not the only one. Chili crisp is a crunchy, slightly spicy, sweet umami bomb that adds an incredible flavor dimension to blank-slate foods including eggs, chicken, fish, veggies and tons more.Â
A perfect stocking stuffer the egghead on your holiday list.
Sources of stress continue to pile up. One quick way to take the edge off is a warm around the neck. I can't think of anyone who wouldn't benefit from one of these this winter. It should fit in a stocking too.
Dreamfarm makes some very useful kitchen tools like the Chopula and Supoon. None is handier than the Clongs, which are like tongs but have a built-in spoon rest so they don't dirty the counter. It's a small design upgrade but one the kitchen warrior on your list will appreciate.
There's a flash deal happening on this charming porcelain butter dish. It's available in white or turquoise and ships in time for the big day.
This strainer, which clips onto the side of your pasta pot, sits firmly in the "why didn't I think of this?" category.
If you've got more coin to drop, the Perfect Pot (from the Always Pan people) also has a handy strainer lid, weighs less than 5 pounds and is an all-around solid pan, if not a little overpriced.Â
This is one of those gifts that's going to be hard not to keep for yourself once it arrives. Maybe get two, just in case?
Fans of The Great British Baking Show will know you need an adjustable rolling pin to get perfectly even dough. The baker on your list will be glad to have this one.
Why, what do you use to spread jam on bread?
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