GRAB BAG

CANDY

Chocolate covered cherries, $19.95, Cherries Divine

WHAT HAPPENS: These gorgeous long-stemmed chocolate covered cherries will make you forget about the uber-sweet drugstore variety.

WHAT WORKS: They’re pretty. If you love maraschino cherries and chocolate, then these provide the perfect solution when you need to answer the call for elegant sweets. They’re also available packaged and decorated as wedding favors.

WHAT DOESN’T WORK: If you’re not a fan of maraschino cherries, then you probably won’t care for these.

WHAT YOU’LL GET: A dozen cherries come nestled in a pretty silver-and-chocolate colored box. The medley features cherries hand dipped in white, dark and milk chocolate. Creamy pink buttercream is sandwiched between the cherries and chocolate shells.

TO BUY IT: Available through www.cherriesdivine.com or by calling 404-474-2617

SLOW COOKER

Stainless steel cooker, $149.99, Calphalon

WHAT HAPPENS: If you need a heavy-duty slow cooker that will hold a lot of food, then this new entry from Calphalon should do the trick.

WHAT WORKS: This slow cooker, clad in brushed stainless steel, is so good-looking that you might never want to put it away. The large oval white ceramic crock insert and glass-and-stainless lid are dishwasher safe. The timer beeps to let you know when the time setting has run down.

WHAT DOESN’T WORK: It makes a fat footprint on your counter. The stainless steel is handsome and contemporary but it easily attracts fingerprints, and it gets pretty hot to the touch, but it does cool down quickly when it’s turned off.

WHAT YOU’LL GET: This 7-quart slow cooker features automatic as well as manual settings. You can choose low or high settings and set the timer for up to 10 hours. It also has a setting that keeps food warm. The cooker is designed with hour-by-hour countdown lights that indicate remaining cooking time.

TO BUY IT: Available at most Bed Bath and Beyond stores and online

COFFEE

Bustelo Cool, $35.20 case (24), Bustelo

WHAT HAPPENS: Provides a nice little portable coffee kick without a lot of fuss.

WHAT WORKS: Bustelo Cool cafe con leche is a smooth, creamy espresso drink with a rich flavor that’s not too sweet. And while it’s delicious straight from the fridge or over ice, it also can be poured into a cup, microwaved and served warm.

WHAT DOESN’T WORK: The coffee drink isn’t widely distributed; and while it does include milk, it also contains a blended non-dairy creamer.

WHAT YOU’LL GET: Each skinny yellow-and-red pop-top can holds 8 ounces of coffee. Ingredients include brewed Bustelo espresso, evaporated cane juice, milk and Jerzee blend creamer. Each serving contains 130 calories, 3.5 fat grams and 15 sugar grams.

TO BUY IT: Available through www.javacabana.com

All prices are manufacturers’ suggested retail price.