Kitchen gadgets aren't just for cooking experts. Sure you can go overboard; after all, there are virtually thousands of contraptions to choose from. But here's a list of some really useful kitchen gadgets you can buy for holiday gifts—and each one is under $50!

1. Silicone Oven Mitt: These babies are hot in kitchens right now. They can withstand temps up to 500 degrees and you can toss them in the dishwasher for an easy cleaning. My favorites are made by Orka. You will also find trivets made out of the same silicone, too. So useful!
2. Pepper Mill: If you’re still shaking pepper out of a plastic jar, you are missing out on a whole world of spice with fresh milled pepper. There’s tremendous variety to choose from: some are tiny and also sport a section with salt, others are 2 feet tall wooden behemoths, and a bunch are even battery powered and do the milling for you. I prefer manual grinding with a simple twist of the wrist in a see-thru acrylic material that is easy to clean (and I can see when I’m low on peppercorns.)
3. Knife Sharpener: If you keep wondering why you're ripping your tomatoes apart when slicing them, it’s because your knives are dull. I love this particular knife sharpener because it’s simple to use and it has no moving parts such as little wheels. Just three or four flicks of the blade through this and you’ll be slicing pretty again.
4. Kapoosh Knife Block: I purchased this funny-named knife block a bit over a year ago, and it is terrific. The best thing about it is that you don’t have to worry about trying to get a knife into a predetermined little slot. Your knives can go anywhere into the spongy surface, and it’s easy to clean too. I’ve purchased one for several folks who have seen it in my kitchen and wanted it.
5. Wine Bottle Opener: Forget those crazy old fashioned corkscrews that leave you wrecking the cork and leaving bits of it in your wine. This full-proof opener works with a simple flick of the handle.
6. Silicone Basting Brush: This handy brush is wonderful when you’ve got to brush olive oil on a chicken, sweep egg white on a pie shell or a whole host of other important little tasks. It’s a million times better than using one of those wooden brushes with bristles. Those darned bristles always shed and are nearly impossible to keep clean. Just pop the silicone brush into your dishwasher and you’ve got zilch to worry about.
7. Automatic Sugar Dispenser: If you drink coffee every day you’ll love this thing. No mess, no fuss—just push the button and an exactly measure ½ teaspoon falls into your cup of brew. Want more? Just push the button to clean; that's it. And it's easy to refill, too. Kinda fun for the person that needs a little taste of sugar each day, but doesn't want to go overboard!
8. The Teastick: This is the perfect stocking stuffer for the tea-ophile on your list. This beautifully designed product holds loose tea leaves tight and allows them to steep in hot water. When they’re done, the used tea leaves slide out in a pinch and off into the dishwasher it goes.

If you're looking at buying some of the more basics in kitchen equipment think about toasters, cutting boards and bowls. Or you might consider buying a nice knife (although they can often cost a bit more than $50.)

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