There's nothing more joyful during the holiday season than celebrating with family and friends. The celebration would not be complete without holiday food favorites, like candied sweet potatoes and honey baked ham. The increase in cooking and the arrival of guests this may tempt you to replace your worn pots and pans, but you don't have to buy the most expensive or chef-endorsed cookware sets to get the best quality.

According to Consumer Reports, to determine the best cookware for your needs, take inventory of your pots and pans to see what is missing or what needs to be replaced. What you like to cook will also affect your choice of cookware materials. Nonstick pans allow you to cook using less fat, and they are easier to clean. If you fry a lot of meat, however, at least one uncoated pan will be needed.

Most cookware sets come with a skillet or fry pan, covered saucepans of different sizes, a covered sauté pan, and a covered stockpot. Some cookware sets offer a bonus of some kind, such as a three-piece stainless steel bowl set or a kitchen tool or knife set.

When reviewing the holiday cookware on sale below, keep in mind that manufacturers count a lid as a set piece.

JCPenney Cookware Holiday Sale

JCPenney is giving holiday shoppers $10.00 off in store or online when they spend $25.00 or more.

Online, use coupon code: GIFTBOX. You can also get free shipping for spending over $49.00 in the online store.

Kohl's Cookware Holiday Sale

Whether you're simmering sauces or braising meat, Kohl's has great deals on cookware and bakeware to help you do it. The department store is also offering free shipping.

Williams-Sonoma Cookware Holiday Sale

Japanese industrial designer Komin Yamada has created cast-iron cookware that's sleek, lightweight and extraordinarily responsive to heat.

Calphalon and Williams-Sonoma sets and an All-clad skillet are on sale too:

Calphalon Contemporary Stainless-Steel 13-Piece Cookware Set, $499.95 (Regular price: $950.00)

Williams-Sonoma Hard-Anodized Nonstick Copper Core 10-Piece Cookware Set, $799.99 (Regular price: $1,700)

Williams-Sonoma Hard-Anodized Copper Core 7-Piece Cookware Set, $629.99 (Regular price $1,200)

Williams-Sonoma Hard-Anodized Copper Core 4-Piece Cookware Set, $229.99 (Regular price $450.00)

All-Clad Chef's Skillet, $89.99 (Regular price: $99.95)

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