Sharp slicer

The red Kuhn Rikon Quick Slice Mandoline has a stainless-steel blade on both sides. It makes 1/8-inch slices of fruits, vegetables, hard cheeses and chocolate that fall directly into the snap-on container. The container has nonslip feet and comes with a lid for storage. The mandoline has a soft-grip, nonslip handle and comes with a hand guard. $26 from specialty and online retailers, including www.chefsresource.com

Find your inner Martha

You can make a mean jam and a fine peck of pickles, but you get flustered when it's time to tart up the bottle. No fear: Tara Duggan's "Pretty Pantry Gifts" kit will help you transform your jars of homemade jams, relishes and pickles into things that look as good as they taste. The kit includes a recipe idea booklet, cellophane bags, fabric jar toppers, gift tags, stickers and strings. $19.95 at bookstores and www.chroniclebooks.com

In the zone

The CDN ProAccurate Heavy Duty Refrigerator/Freezer Thermometer helps keep your refrigerator or freezer at the best temperature. The color-coded scale shows the proper range for each: 35-40 for the refrigerator, -5-0 for the freezer. The stainless-steel, lab-glass thermometer sits on or hangs from a shelf to save space. Large numbers make it easy to see. $7.99 at specialty stores or online at nationwide including Kitchen Kaboodle at www.kitchenkaboodle.com

Tea time

The manufacturers of the Capresso H2O Plus Water Kettle say it boils water faster and uses less energy than a stovetop kettle. Small and portable, it can be used nearly anywhere. The kettle automatically shuts off either when it's lifted from its power base or when the water boils. The kettle has an on/off switch and a light that shows when it's on. Lines mark two to six cups on the glass kettle. $59.99 at specialty retailers including www.amazon.com -- Jann Malone and Wire Reports