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Well, I have only been to one party that was for the Pampered Chef, and at the time (as now) I didn't have a lot of money to spend, so I actually only bought their tin opener, which allowed for the user to open it and then remove the lid without having to get their hands wet or whatever, and there would be no edges to cut ones' self on...I actually really love it and use it all the time. It can be put in the dishwasher, where I have routinely put it, and it hasn't done any damage to it at all. I cannot speak for their other products, but that one least I liked. For the most part, though, they are very expensive, and I have another shop called Cooks of Crocus Hill that is a locally-owned company that I would rather put my money into. but that's just me.

I've found their products to be more expensive than comparable products you'd by elsewhere. If money is an issue, know what you want to buy and how much you'd normally pay for it.

In terms of quality, I have no quibbles, but the only Pampered Chef items I own are a couple silicone spatulas & potholders.

I think it depends on what you buy. Personally, I don't own a lot because I think they are a little overpriced, but there are few items that are worth the money. The small chopper (the kind you push down on) is really good. Makes chopping on onion, garlic, etc. really quick and easy. I second the tin opener recommendation. Took me a few times to figure out how to work it (the whole piece lays horizontal to the can, and I had just never used one like that before), but now it's a breeze. And while I don't own any of their stone bakeware, I have used it before, and I know plenty of people that do, and it's totally worth the price. I'd buy some of it if I had some spare cash floating around.

It is one or the other and never both/ The spatulas are ok but not great. WIlliams Sonoma sells a better one for less. The serving pieces are nice but expensive so if your going to buy them buy them on ebay or at dealer who does flea markets etc. I also found a lot of the products were flimsy for the price. Trendy is a word. Then again I go to restaurant supply stores to get many of my things and they hold up longer for much less.

I have a few of their things and my Mom has a whole bunch. Really we've never had a problem with them. The clay bakers are nice and their pizza stone has been great. I guess they are a little pricey but the lifetime warranty has been nice too. My mom just sent back one of the knifes that got damaged with no questioned asked.

My mom has a few Pampered Chef products, and I know I get a lot of use out of them, haha. We have the chopper Kimberlymac mentioned, as well as a cheese grater and some cake decorators. My mandoline is also Pampered Chef, now that I think about it. I really like them, and they seem to last forever. I'd go to the party and see what they have, and even ask around there -- chances are, the people that are there have some of the products and can make some recommendations.

The products are mostly overpriced and not that innovative, in my opinion. However, I will pay more for certain things. I love the stoneware. I have dropped a couple of pieces before and they have not broken. I did have a baking sheet crack in two once in the oven, but they replaced it at no cost (within a year of purchase). The veggie peeler works very well. I also really like the 2 qt. and gallon pitchers that have the handles on the lids which you plunge to mix up drinks. The cake decorator set was a piece of crap and totally useless, as everything eventually broke on it. I found the chopper to be very useful for nuts (keeping them from flying around, as mentioned above), but my wrists start to hurt if I use it for much else. I prefer to chop veggies with a good knife.

A little overpriced?! WTF?! Seriously, I could fund NASA for a year for what one of their silly undersized pizza stones goes for!

@ Moibec... A garlic press??? What did that poor garlic clove ever do to you?! I don't know what it is that comes out the other side of a garlic press, but it isn't garlic.

I would suggest you order enough little stuff to appease your new sis in law, then go to a kitchen supply store as @Jerzee suggested. I've got a couple of PC things I was guilted into ordering, NEVER AGAIN!

forgot to add - you might want to come up with defensive strategies NOW - your new SIL will probably ask you at some point to HOST a PC party... use your house, your stuff, your friends, she sells stuff, somehow you make money off it too. Just be prepared. I have a lot of cousins who sell things (avon, PC, TS, etc) and I have to deflect these "offers" all the time!

i hate those pressure situations.
at my old job everyone held those damn candle parties.
every month it'd rotate to another person and you'd be forced to go and buy crap.
i wish they had been into pampered chef-at least i might've found something better to spend my money on than overpriced wax.

I have the chopper, cake cutter/slicer and frosting spreader. As much as I love how the chopper makes dicing garlic and onions much easier and keeps my fingers from smelling, I have to admit I always have a hard time putting it back together after washing it. I can't get the guard back onto the zig-zaggy shaped blade and I always get nervous about forcing it and then slipping and slicing my hand. I always ask hubby to do it. He teases me about it all the time. Says I'm afraid of a chopper.

I also have relatives who host these parties. The products are fine, even superior sometimes. Albeit pricey. Scour the catalog to find the best value for your kitchen. They do exist. I own:

stoneware sheet pan (just ok to me, i prefer stainless steel)
lemon reamer with juice attachment (love it)
adjustable microplane grater (love it)
serrated cake slicer (not used yet, but plan to love it)
variety of spice blends and sauces (overpriced but ok)
confectioner sugar duster (love because it comes w/ cover)
insulated stainless steel sheet pans (great)
egg slicer (great)
various recipe books (fine)

I know plenty of people with that can opener who love it once they figure out how to use it. People who have bought their overpriced pans like them too. If you have to go to these parties, there's plenty of reasonably priced stuff (e.g. spice blends) that you can buy to appease your host. Plus the parties are fun because you always get free food!

@gastronomeg and wasliche - I hate these types of parties too, they're a damn racket that guilts you into crap you don't need. My stepgrandmother's two daughters are those Candlelight reps I used to get invited to those parties all the time, I accepted the first invitation out of courtesy and family politics and there after I have told them it is my corporate policy not to attend home sales parties. Because she is my new sis-in law, I will extend her the same courtesy after this though no more.

To all the comments regarding those hand chopper things, I have to say I am amazed. I bought on of those once and HATED the darn thing. It did not chop the food, the food got stuck to the blades and I constantly had to dig it out with a knife. Plus cleaning that thing was a pain.

I do love the pan scrappers so I will definitely get some of those. I had already scoped out the products online so I have a few low priced items picked out. It was difficult though, I own a lot of the stuff they have on there, and the other stuff I wouldn't really purchase. Hopefully the party will at be fun!

I too have a relative who is constantly hosting home parties.

From PC, I have the Tool Turner or whatever they call the divided tool holder that spins. I bought it before I started cooking - so it was for my scrapbooking pens/tools. Works great for that but I don't think I would like it in my kitchen.

My sister has two PC upright spoon rests - she really likes those.

These were all courtesy purchases. When the next PC party comes around, I'll probably get a baking stone since I've been saving that to be my next courtesy purchase.

I went to a pampered chef party once, and bought 2 bottles of spices, a miniture whisk, and kitchen shears. I didn't buy anything expensive. I have used all of them regularly and they are good quality.

Just don't buy their wok! I have exchanged mine twice now, and they just DON'T hold up. The handle fell off two of them before I exchanged them, but they ding up really easily as well, and don't conduct heat the way a wok should. I've really given up on even using it. They LOOK nice, but that's the most that can be said for them. I haven't bought any more of their cook wear since that purchase. Oh, I bought the exact same tin opener at Safeway for $5.99 a few weeks ago. It works like a charm The one I bought is by 'Good Cook', I have quite a few things from them and they are all good quality for much less than PC. Oxo is another favourite brand from the grocery store, although for most of my 'expensive' purchases, (knives, pots and pans, etc. I, too, use the restaurant supply stores. Since I'm a chef I get a good discount too. I am simply NOT impressed with the PC gear. (I found their spice mixtures to taste 'old' even when I first bought them.) If I were you, I'd check out the cook book titles. I LOVE cookbooks, and I'm sure I have at least 200 already, but I read them in bed, just like other people read novels. (Of course, as far as actually 'following' a recipe, I usually don't. They're mainly for 'inspiration', except for those on baking.)
Still, they're usually among the less expensive items on offer. Good luck!