海角大神

You may have noticed from your holiday entertaining that no matter where you want your guests to congregate, they always wind up in the kitchen. And it's that kind of attention that requires a well-stocked cupboard. Today's are varied and include nearly everything but the kitchen sink!

1. 
   听Store: JCPenney
   听Price: $30 with free in-store pickup
   听Lowest By: $18

   Is It Worth It?: Here's a knife set to get you ready for any culinary situation you can slice or dice your way into. Available in Blkcat, this knife block includes six steak knives, kitchen shears, scissors, and more. It also comes with half a dozen kitchen implements with rounded handles for easy grating and mincing. Philippe Richard is exclusively available through JC Penney, so you won't find this item elsewhere. And if that doesn't make the cut, what does?

2. 听Discount: Up to 90%
   听Shipping: $5.50 s&h or free on orders over $49 via coupon code "SHIP4FREE"

   Is It Worth It?: This sale from Williams-Sonoma features more than three dozen items ranging in price from $1.99 to $149.99. A best bet is the (pictured) for $39.99, which is well below the retail price of $99.95. It includes a Froth & Pour Hot Chocolate Pot, which features an internal whisk that whips your concoction into a rich delicacy. The set also comes with hot chocolate mix, hand-made vanilla marshmallows, and a hand towel.

3. 听Discount: 15% off via coupon code "SAVE15"
   听Shipping: Free shipping
   听Expires: January 23

   Is It Worth It?: Are you ready to check out one of the best percent-off discounts we've seen on small appliances at Home Depot in recent months? We thought so. But make sure you use that coupon code "SAVE15" to get 15% off select wares, like the for $50.95 after the coupon code (a low by $9). It features an interchangeable motor head with controlled pulsing and three different sized containers. It also comes with a booklet with 25 recipes.

4. 
   听Store: newegg
   听Price: $29.99 via coupon code "EMCNJJJ32" with free shipping
   听Lowest By: $9

   Is It Worth It?: Who can resist the joys of a sleek espresso machine? Tied with our mention from a week ago, this coffee maker features a drip tray, frother, 8.5-ounce heat-resistant glass carafe, and more. You can also make two espressos simultaneously with the convenient 2-cup adapter.

5. 
   听Store: Walmart
   听Price: $39.97 with free in-store pickup
   听Lowest By: $35

   Is It Worth It?: Tied with our mention from a week ago, this stainless steel trash can has a 13.2-gallon capacity and features a sensor that automatically opens the lid. It can be opened and closed a minimum of 10,000 times before needing battery replacement. (Note that Walmart's web site says to use D batteries, but the specifies C batteries instead.)

Lou Carlozo is a contributor to听,听a website devoted to finding the best deals on consumer goods. The site pledges to list the best deal, whether or not it's from an advertiser, although it does work with advertisers to craft deals for readers.听Our guest bloggers are not employed or directed by the Monitor and the views expressed are the bloggers' own, as is responsibility for the content of their blogs. To contact us about a blogger,听click here.听This feature first appeared in听dealnews.com.听