Elevate Your Holiday Parties with These Splurge Vs Save Options

Tis’ the season for sprucing and adding touches of seasonal décor to the home as we prepare for holiday gatherings. Our list suggests splurging and saving options with very similar effects this holiday season as you’re seeking to wow your guests. From elevating your cookware for stunning meals to updating your home for the best ambiance, we’ve got you covered.

Archipelago Botanicals l Opal Road

Spoil your guests with the best scents. We love candles that can set the right mood this holiday season, especially ones that smell cozy and luxurious simultaneously while looking fabulous as accent pieces throughout the house. The tasteful and reusable glass candle holders make them perfect gifts as well as party enhancers.

Splurge: Archipelago Winter Frost Half Kilo is an absolute treat with the perfect scent of White Birch, Evergreen Needles, Sage and Clear Amber. Archipelago’s story began in a small studio in Santa Monica, California. After almost 25 years, they continue to create natural products that avoid harsh chemicals, and always bringing forth the signature scents of a destination and feeling. The Winter Frost Kilo candle is presented in a stylish velvety gift box with metal applique. The large gold, clean-burning candle is hand-poured with two natural wicks in a striking metallic glass is about 5 inches tall and will burn for approximately 80 hours.

Save: Opal Road in Golden Hour is a luxurious and iridescent candle that communicates simple elegance with a beautiful aroma. It’s made with a coconut and apricot wax blend with 100% cotton wicks and use non-toxic essential oils for 65 hours of burn time. Opal Road's candles are made in stunning colored glasses designed to be repurposed as a sophisticated home accessory.  Aside from being an elevated statement piece in any home, the brand is a Proud Supporter of Room to Read® and donates a portion of all profits to help support girls' education and literacy programs. You can feel good about buying a thoughtfully designed luxury candle at a fair price.

Williams Sonoma l Stone + Lain

Spruce up your dining room by adding subtle glam to your dinnerware. A delicious meal over these gold-trimmed wares will have your guests feeling spoiled and loved.

Splurge: Brushed gold dinner plates by Williams Sonoma are crafted by Portuguese artisans with hand-painted real gold rims and durable stoneware that are organic shapes. The set of four dinner plates (only) goes for $129.95. Matching pasta/salad plates, bowls and mugs are sold separately ranging from $90 to 130 each set.

Save: Stone + Lain believes that a formal or casual table moment should be priceless, not pricey. They offer a party-perfect Florian Gold Rim Dinnerware Set that’s beautifully textured, made of porcelain and features gold-tone trim. This set is ready to entertain as it includes four 10.2" dinner plates, four salad plates, four deep bowls and matching 12 oz. mugs.

Anthropologie l Kate & Laurel

Dazzle the guests with statement mirrors as they add a touch of delicate elegance to any space. The most popular interior designers have splashed Anthropologie Primrose mirrors all over social media as of late and we’re sold. For those seeking similar effects that are lighter on the wallet, Kate & Laurel is a fantastic alternative.

Splurge: Made famous by social media, the Gleaming Primrose Mirrors are Anthropologie’s bestselling mirrors of all time. They’re popular due to the elegant details and delicate adornments along its apex and edges. Available in four sizes and shapes, and ranges from $548 to 1,598.

Save: Kate and Laurel offers similar vintage-inspired decorative mirrors in various sizes and shapes and range from $125 to $300. These ornate gold-tone mirrors are versatile enough for the entryway or bedroom.

Pottery Barn l Sam’s Club

Greet your guests with fun and festivity with minimal and modern Christmas wreaths. We love pre-lit wreaths from Pottery Barn and found that Sam’s Club also offers an equally elegant option at a much better price.

Splurge: Snow-laden branches, clutches of golden berries, coarse pinecones and glittering pomegranates and ornaments are perfect for those dreaming of a white and shimmering holiday season. The 30” Pre-Lit Faux Mixed Pine Wreath is battery-operated, glistens with white, energy-efficient 50 LED bulbs and retails at $149.

Save: This large 32" Pre-Lit Decorated Wreath is decorated with vibrant and snow-dusted spruces and noble firs. It’s adorned with a mixture of gold and bronze faceted ornaments and green magnolia leaves that are brushed with gold. Ivory ribbons accented with gold add warmth and softness. The wreath is pre-lit with 50 warm white LED lights. The batteries work on a timer, allowing you to pre-set for 6 hours on and 18 hours off throughout the holiday season. This larger wreath retails at $50.

John Boos l Teakhaus

Elevate your kitchen with stunning cutting boards and butcher blocks. John Boos and Teak Haus boards are reliably made and beautifully crafted. Impress the guests as you carve your prized prime rib or favorite holiday protein on one of these.

Splurge: John Boos is a recognized name in kitchen cutlery. This large striking Reversible Black Walnut Cutting Board is crafted out of black walnut by woodworkers and the board's edge-grain construction ensures uniform thickness and an even cutting surface. It’s meant to keep your blades sharper longer by absorbing the impact of cutting. The 24"x18 and 100% black walnut is finished with Boos Block cream and beeswax, retails at $327 but is currently having a holiday promotion for $309.

Save: Meanwhile, Teakhaus’s Rectangle Edge Grain Cutting Board is spacious enough when trimming big roasts or slicing long bunches of leafy greens. Teak is a tropical wood with a high oil content that helps repel water and provides a luxurious cut without damaging your knives. This eco-friendly board is made from teakwood that comes from sustainable forests. This Rectangle, Edge Grain & Hand Grip, Reversible Board is 24 x 18 and retails at $135 but on currently on sale for $100.

Thermomix l Gourmate

Need a little help in the kitchen this holiday season? Thermomix and Gourmate are perfect to help ease the stress of cooking. Simply gather the ingredients, follow the prompts and let the machines chop, blend and cook for you.

Splurge: The all-in-one kitchen appliance Thermomix makes accomplishing more possible. On-screen, step-by-step directions guide you through the entire cooking process wherein it can adjust the cook time, temperature and speed for each step. The paid subscription service instruction app offers more than 60,000 recipes. With a touch of a button, you can have a meal or feast ready to entertain, starting at $1,299.

Save: Gourmate All-in-One Multicooker aims to reduce the clutter on your countertop and become your favorite cooking assistant without the hefty price tag. They offer hundreds of recipes created by real gourmet chefs. You can search by ingredients or cook time for busy nights. This modern cookware can measure, chop, knead, mix, boil, sauté and many more. You can find it on sale now for $299.

We hope you find the recommendations above helpful to add even more warmth and sparkle to your holiday gatherings. The splurge and save recommendations are meant to provide options for various budgets — not necessarily stating one is better than the other. The holidays are a time for connecting and indulging so enjoy the food, the company and making memories.

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Yvon Lux is the editor of her Apple News channel. Her “blogazine” celebrates sisterhood and empowers women by focusing on women’s health, travel, lifestyle, and entrepreneurial news while also sharing the most coveted trends and style stories.

As an entrepreneur and influencer, she has been featured in LA Times, Thrive Global, OC Register, Modern Luxury Magazine, and more. Connect with her on Instagram and subscribe to her Apple News channel!

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