Tis the season for holiday entertaining, baking, and decorating. This year has flown by, it’s hard to believe that Christmas Day is less than a week away. Over the last few years we’ve grown accustomed to dealing with shortages, so I started stocking up on holiday baking pans, entertaining essentials, and decorative items early in November not knowing if they’d be in stock for Christmas. Thankfully, I shopped at Amazon, Walmart, and Target and was able to have everything delivered within a few days at the most.
One thing is for sure, my love of baking has grown in 2022, and I added three more gorgeous and affordable Nordic Ware holiday baking pans to my holiday baking arsenal! They are so easy and fun to use, they really make an impact and everyone loves how beautiful and moist the cakes are.
As one of the biggest National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation fans on the planet (I love watching the movie throughout the year) I am ecstatic that I finally ordered the highly coveted Marty Moose mugs. Not only that, I stumbled on the complementing Marty Moose Punch Bowl which is just as fab. On Christmas night you may find me asking “Can I refill your eggnog and get you something to eat?” 🙂
Today, I’m excited to share 16 Trendy and Affordable Holiday Entertaining and Decorating Essentials Under $50 that I’ve bought over the last year and love! They’re perfect for Christmas, New Year’s Eve, and holiday parties you have planned this season and Christmas 2023 as well.
Inflatable Clark Griswold For Indoor and Outdoor Use
As one of the biggest self-proclaimed National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation movie fans on the planet, I have bought quite a few Christmas Vacation decor items over the years for my home. A few years ago I stumbled on a 6-foot-tall cardboard cutout of Clark Griswold carving a turkey. I thought it would be perfect for my dining room on Christmas Eve, but it sold out immediately. I searched high and low for another until I stumbled on a 6-foot-tall inflatable Clark Griswold (wearing a Santa hat and holding Christmas presents) last year. I ordered it right away, and have been so pleased with my purchase! This Clark Griswold inflatable is pre-lit with LED lights and shines bright! Last year I had him outside in the front yard, but this year I decided to keep him indoors by my flocked Christmas tree.
If you place this 6-foot-tall inflatable inside, you don’t have to worry about tying him to anything, once he inflates he stands upright with no problem. Like all outdoor inflatables, make sure you use all stakes and tethers (which come with purchase) to attach him to the ground so he stands upright.
Clark Griswold looks like he’s ready to tell cousin Eddie that he’ll refill his eggnog, and get him something to eat next to this table! It’s currently available at Target and on sale for $25.
This fantastic 6-foot-tall Clark Griswold inflatable is currently on sale for $25 at Target for a limited time! It’ll make a great gift for yourself or the National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation movie fan in your life!
Marty Moose Punch Bowl for Egg Nog, Punch & More
I stumbled on this fabulous plastic Marty Moose Punch Bowl (after purchasing the complementing glass mugs) and bought it right away. I am so glad I did. I fell in love with it instantly, and so thankful I didn’t read the reviews prior to purchasing! One reviewer mentioned that it was small, and I honestly don’t find that to be true. It is a perfect size and holds up to 4 liters. I added a half gallon of egg nog to the punch bowl, and it didn’t even fill the bowl halfway! I wish I had purchased a gallon of egg nog so you could see how spacious this punch bowl is as there was plenty of room for more. This punch bowl will also be perfect for your favorite cocktail, mocktail, or punch.
It comes in three pieces – two antlers and the Moose shape bowl. The antlers are easy to attach to the bowl. It also comes with a clear plastic ladle, which is great so you don’t have to purchase one (if you don’t already have one). This Marty Moose punch bowl is made of strong durable plastic and will definitely make a statement on your buffet, bar, bar cart, or on a tablescape (as I featured it in the photo below)! It just arrived a few days ago, and while I haven’t gotten a chance to use it much, it is going to be a holiday and winter staple in my home for many years to come.
This fabulous punch bowl is under $40 and is definitely worth the price to me since I am such a huge fan of the classic holiday movie!
Christmas Vacation Movie Marty Moose Glass Mugs
Marty Moose made his first appearance in the classic National Lampoon’s Vacation Movie in 1983 (when the Griswold family visited Walley World) and has been a staple ever since. You may remember the scene in National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation when Clark and cousin Eddie were drinking egg nog out of Marty Moose clear mugs shortly before Clark’s “Old Fashioned Family Christmas” took a turn for the worse. The movie has become a holiday staple since it first premiered in 1989, and this season there are quite a few memorabilia and holiday decor items available that were inspired by the film.
In 2022 I decided to finally buy one of the highly coveted Official National Lampoon Marty Moose Glass Mugs. I fell in love with it immediately, and purchased another shortly thereafter! This durable and absolutely beautiful mug is made of glass and will hold up to a cup of liquid (8 fl oz). I have used it quite a few times during this season and it will definitely be a staple in my holiday entertaining arsenal for years to come. This mug will make a great gift for the Christmas Vacation fan, whether that’s for yourself, a family member, or a friend!
I have stored my new mugs on my bar cart this season, and wash them by hand carefully and diligently as I don’t want anything to happen to them. They are the perfect addition to any holiday tablescape and are only $19.99!
Gorgeous Shatterproof Christmas Ornaments Under $25
A few years ago I purchased two artificial pink Christmas trees. One is tall, while the other is mini-sized, flocked and perfect for a tabletop. I was initially planning on decorating this mini tree with black and white ornaments for a more modern look, but this year I decided to make it more of a “glam Christmas tree.” I purchased the Sea Team Shatterproof Ornaments in black and white and couldn’t be happier. The round white ornaments look spectacular on this tree. They come in a set of 30, are 60mm (2.36”), and are shimmery without the mess! These beautiful solid color glitter ornaments are shatterproof, and very affordable on sale at just $16.99 with free shipping.
They are perfect for a Christmas tree, decorating a mantel, adorning your console table, or a DIY wreath, and will also make a statement on your dining table for Christmas dinner. This set of ornaments is also available in a variety of colors, which is an added bonus, especially at this incredibly low price.
They have great 4.5 out of 5-star reviews with reviewers commenting on how gorgeous they are, a great value, and that they’re perfect for homes with children and pets as you don’t have to worry about them breaking.
Gold is one of my favorite accent colors. It pairs well with metallics, pastels, neutrals, and bright bold colors. I simply adore the Sea Team 60mm/2.36” Christmas ornaments. They are clear and have gold glitter, gold tinsel, gold sequins, and gold beads in the round ornaments. They are so much fun to decorate with. I love how they look on this flocked pink Christmas tree!
I have also placed a few on my holiday tablescapes and on my mantel. They too are shatterproof, so I don’t have to worry about them breaking if my cat Jackson tries to grab one with his paw (as he often tries to). They are strong, and durable and are sure to glam up any Christmas tree or holiday display!
Since I love these ornaments so much, I also bought another set of shatterproof ornaments in the color champagne gold. They’re slightly larger at 80mm and definitely make a statement. This beautiful set of 30 clear ornaments with champagne gold glitter, sequins, and beads looks great mixed with the white and clear/gold ornaments on this tree! That’s one of the great things about gold is you can mix it with other neutrals and metals.
They have phenomenal 4.7 out of 5-star reviews with reviewers mentioning that they love how beautiful they are, the gorgeous color, the large size and that they look much more expensive than they are.
Gold Christmas Star Tree Topper Under $15
Nothing says Christmas quite like a beautiful star tree topper. Last year I shared a few of the best tree toppers and had I known about this gold Clever Creations Glittered 8” Star Tree Topper, it definitely would have made the list. I absolutely love it! The star fit my mini tree perfectly, and in my opinion, it would look great on a larger tree as well.
I made sure and read the reviews before I purchased it. While it has great 4.5 out of 5-star reviews a few people said that it was messy due to the glitter, but I purchased it anyway. I’m so glad I did! I adore this gold shimmery star. Yes, there is glitter, and yes it got on my hands when I placed it on the tree, but I have had this topper on my tree for weeks now and have not noticed glitter falling off at all since. It’s only $14.99 with free Prime Shipping and definitely worth the price!
I love this gold tree topper, it reminds me of childhood Christmases, and will definitely use it for many years to come!
The Best White Faux Mini Christmas Tree Skirt Under $12
I bought this white Olyphan faux fur mini Christmas tree skirt in 2021, and I LOVE it. I’m not ashamed to admit that I have my flocked pink Christmas tree on my bar cart throughout the year as I enjoy decorating it for Valentine’s Day, Easter, spring, and summer! I have had this mini tree skirt on display for a year and it is still in perfect condition. It retails for $11.99 on Amazon and is one of the best purchases holiday decor purchases I’ve made!
The Most Gorgeous Tartan Tablecloth Under $25 At Amazon
Tartan tablecloths are classic and synonymous with the holiday season! Last year I featured a few of the best Christmas tablecloths, and wish I’d known about this beautiful DII Tartan Plaid Tablecloth as it is gorgeous, well made of durable 100% cotton, and at a great price point! I showcased this tablecloth on a recent tablescape, and will be featuring it on my dining table for Christmas dinner as well!
It comes in a variety of sizes and (as of tonight December 18) some will arrive before Christmas. If you’re anything like me and use your holiday plaids until mid-January, this will be in heavy rotation before the chilly winter season ends. It will look fantastic paired with your white China or holiday-inspired plates, a gorgeous centerpiece, and tapered candleholders and that’s just the beginning!
This gorgeous budget-friendly red, white and green tartan tablecloth has amazing 4.7 out of 5-star reviews with reviewers mentioning that the quality is high-end at a great price point, beautiful, and well made.
Beautiful Nordic Ware Christmas Bundt Cake Pans I Love
The Nordic Ware Pine Forest Bundt Cake Pan is the first Nordic Ware pan I ever bought. I take that back, I ordered a fall pan last year from a different retailer, but it was lost in transit and never arrived! I made sure and ordered this one from Amazon in 2021 and it arrived a day or two later. I’ll be honest, I was pretty intimidated to use it at first. The pan is so beautiful and the design is so intricate, I had analysis paralysis and thought it was going to be too hard to use. Once I finally got the courage to try it, I was hooked and fell in love. The first cake mix I used was a red velvet cake, and it turned out spectacular! A few weeks ago I bought a couple of chocolate cake mixes and decided to give them a try. I sprayed the pan with Bakers Joy which is a non-stick spray that has flour in it. They recommend spraying a light coat, but I always spray with a heavy hand as I want to make sure I cover all of my bases.
The chocolate cake turned out fantastic! Once it cooled, I placed it directly on one of my white cake stands and used a sifter to sprinkle powder sugar so it looks like a snowy mountain top! This cake pan is perfection. Over the last year, I’ve gifted it to a few friends. They absolutely adore it as well!
This beautiful Nordic Ware Pine Forest Bundt Cake has great 4.8 out of 5-star reviews with reviewers sharing that it is a work of art, wonderful, easy to clean, perfect for making gifts in, strong, sturdy, gorgeous, and will last a lifetime. If you order it today on Amazon, it’ll arrive in time for Christmas!
After falling in love with my tree cake pan last winter, I splurged on a few Nordic Ware fall cake pans a few months ago, which I featured for Thanksgiving! They’re so beautiful and really make a statement. I’m officially obsessed with the brand’s aluminum loaf cake pans! They are so gorgeous, easy to work with (as long as you spray them with Bakers Joy or a similar cooking spray with flour), and are absolutely stunning. I bought this Nordic Ware Santa’s Sleigh Loaf Pan last month and I’m head over heels in love with it.
I didn’t use the recipe that came with the pan, I just used a pink strawberry cake mix since I was doing a pink holiday tablescape! A box of cake mix filled this cake pan 3/4 of the way. When it was done and cooled, I cut the bottom of the cake so it laid flat on the cake stand. It holds up to six cups and will make a great gift for yourself or a loved one!
I featured an image above of the cake without powdered sugar so you can see the detail. In the second photo, I showcased it with powdered sugar sprinkled on top so you can see the difference. I think it looks great both ways, but you can really see the intricate detailing without powdered sugar! This cake can be decorated in so many different ways! The border, Santa, his sleigh, and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer will look great outlined with frosting, sprinkled with candy canes, sprinkles, and more.
This beautiful Nordic Ware Santa Loaf Pan has great 4.8 out of 5-star reviews with reviewers mentioning that the pan is heavy duty, beautiful, and easy to use and that’s just the beginning!
If you’re searching for a magnificent dessert that will wow your coworkers, friends, neighbors and family, you have to make these fun and festive cakelets using the aluminum Nordic Ware 3-D Tree Cakelet pan. I used a yellow cake mix and this “almost from scratch cake recipe” which I made in my KitchenAid stand mixer. I then sprayed the pans with Bakers Joy before I filled them three quarters of the way with batter. The cake recipe was delicious and the batter was the perfect consistency for this 3-D tree cakelet.
Once the cakelets baked and then cooled, I took them out of the pans and placed them on a cooling rack. I drizzled a basic glaze on top and used my elegant pink and white Fancy Sprinkles which looked like ornaments on the tree! They turned out so gorgeous.
This Nordic Ware Tree Cakelet Pan has a 2.5 cup capacity and makes up to six cakelets (mini cakes) at a time. The three dimensional cakes look beautiful and would be fun for the kids to decorate!
I’m officially obsessed with the aluminum Nordic Ware Frozen Snowflake Cakelet Pan. It bakes up to six gorgeous and elegant 3D snowflake cakelets and holds three cups of batter. I used the same cake batter that I made for the tree cakelets, and made sure I sprayed the pans with Bakers Joy before I placed the batter in the pans. The batter was the perfect consistency and baked well. The cakelettes turned out gorgeous. After they cooled, I drizzled them with glaze and decorated them with Fancy Sprinkles, which are beyond gorgeous! I also sprinkled some of them with powdered sugar for a snowy effect.
These snowflakes are ideal for the holiday season, will look great on your Christmas dessert table and be perfect throughout the chilly winter season! They are delicious, fun to decorate and really wow your guests.
New Year’s Eve Tablescape Entertaining and Decor Essentials
I struggled to find a bundt cake pan for a New Year’s Eve tablescape, and decided to use this modern Nordic Ware Heritage bundt cake pan that I bought in April and have used quite a bit over the last eight months. It is fun, is an absolute showstopper and really makes a statement!
This cake pan is phenomenal, and is perfect for any occasion. It holds up to six cups of batter, and is really easy to use – just make sure you coat it with Bakers Joy or a similar product. Once I baked and cooled the cake, I drizzled it with this wonderful vanilla glaze.
Gorgeous New Year’s Eve Cake Topper
I searched high and low for the perfect New Year’s Eve cake topper! I stumbled on this beautiful red Hello 2023 Cake Topper and knew I had to have it! I love the gorgeous font, the gold clock that has just struck midnight, the fireworks and the glitter cardstock it’s made on. This cake topper looks great on this bundt cake, and will make a statement on your cake! It’s perfect for your New Year’s Eve party. It is only $7.99 with fast and free Amazon Prime delivery. This fabulous New Year’s Eve cake topper is ideal for bidding 2022 adieu!
Silver Disco Balls Are A New Year’s Eve Party Essential
Every New Year’s Eve party needs disco balls! I ordered a set of silver disco ball ornaments, which look great from far away but up close you can see there are a few rhinestones missing. I still think they look fantastic on this tablescape! They’re fun and festive, but I can’t say that I recommend this particular set since they are not perfect! There are countless others available on Amazon if you’d like to give them a try, or if you’re like me and don’t mind having a few rhinestones missing since you can’t really tell, they’re a must.
There are so many great ways to decorate with silver disco balls for New Year’s Eve! As someone who loves to have fresh flowers at every celebration, I think this great and super affordable large cylinder vase from Walmart will look amazing adorned with a smaller cylinder vase in the middle. You can place flowers in the smaller vase, and fill the large cylinder vase with disco balls! They will really make a statement and your centerpiece is sure to garner compliments.
I am so pleased with the trendy and affordable entertaining essentials and holiday decor items I have purchased from Amazon, Walmart, and Target. These items are so versatile, I know I will use them time and time again for many holiday seasons to come. I hope you love them as much as I do!
Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and a very early Happy New Year, friends!
