Jewelry. Lunchboxes. Storage containers. Makeup. Candles. Utensils.

Each of these is a popular product being sold at direct-sale home parties. Consultants from companies such as Thirty-One, Avon, Mary Kay, Stella & Dot, Pampered Chef, Tasteful Treasures, Scentsy and Tupperware have customers host parties and invite their friends for a few hours of in-home shopping.

As a reward for hosting a party each company offers the host various incentives, but is it really worth it? Generally, the host of a sale party is asked to provide food and drinks for the guests. Don’t forget the time it takes to clean before and after.

If the payoff is worth it for you, use these details, some of which change month to month, to decide which company might be right for you.

Mary Kay: These ladies and their pink cars are classics in this industry and a well-known name in makeup.

You have three reward options here. First, you could receive up to 20 percent in free Mary Kay products. Rewards begin at $200 sold, and without booking any additional parties you’ll automatically receive 10 percent of the party sales in products. The amount of freebies increases if one or more of your friends also agrees to book a party — 15 percent with one party booked and 20 percent with two parties booked.

The second option is $75 worth of Mary Kay products for a reduced price of $35. You can earn this reward just by booking the party, so the amount of sales isn’t as important. The third option varies by independent consultants who may arrange their own promotions.

Pampered Chef: For foodies, Pampered Chef is a good option. The company offers high-end and unusual kitchen accessories.

Consultants can provide hosts with a cooking show, which features the consultant demonstrating some of the tools while preparing a recipe for guests (the host must supply recipe ingredients), or a catalog show, which just features the products available for purchase.

What’s offered to hosts is a percentage of the total party’s sales in free products, half-price and discounted products, 10 percent off purchases for a year and free shipping.

There’s also a special deal each month available to hosts. The host of a cooking show that has $600 in sales will receive $115 in free products, two half-price items, a 25 percent discount and free shipping, in addition to the 10 percent discount and free shipping for a year, according to the website. The free product values for hosts of a cooking show are higher than those of a catalog show. Rewards begin at $150 in sales.

Tasteful Treasures: These parties for adults only offer 10 percent of the total sales back to the host.

Thirty One: This maker of purses, lunchboxes, travel bags and more offers various levels of rewards to hosts, similar to the Pampered Chef system.

Hosts earn a percentage of the sales back in free merchandise, plus a certain number of half-price items. For example, if your party totals $200 in sales, you will receive $25 in free merchandise, one half-price item and one hostess exclusive item at a discount. Half-price items also include half-price embroidery. Rewards begin at $200 sold.

Scentsy: This line of fragrant waxes, air fresheners and warmers offers 10 percent to 15 percent of the party’s sales back to the host in free merchandise, plus various levels of half-price items. The rewards begin at $150 in sales. There are also additional perks if any of your party guests book their own party.

Tupperware: Another classic name for at-home-parties, Tupperware offers plastic storage containers and kitchen accessories. There are two reward options for hosts.

One option has three levels of rewards: 10 percent, 15 percent or 20 percent of the party’s sales in free merchandise, plus one to three half-price products. Rewards begin at $250 sold. You’ll also get additional offers when your guests book their own parties.

The other reward option changes each month, offering seasonal deals for booking a party and meeting certain qualifications.

Stella & Dot: The trunk shows by this line of accessories, mostly jewelry and handbags, reward the host in three different levels: 15 percent, 20 percent or 25 percent of the total sale in free merchandise, plus two, three or four half-price items. Rewards begin at $300 sold.

According to their website, the average host earns $250 in free merchandise and four half-off items. There are possible additional costs involved if you choose to have the consultant, or “stylist” in this case, send out party invitations for you.

There are tons of other direct-sale options to choose from, but these are some of the most popular in our area. The parties can prove to be a good time to gather with friends, but don’t get carried away with the idea that you’ll have big earnings. Also, try not to pressure any friends, family or coworkers into making purchases, which can be a big turnoff.

It’s best to plan your party during a slow month and when you know your friends won’t be throwing one of their own.

Have you thrown successful direct-sale parties? Share your tips in the comments section.