My Mom Is a Holiday Hosting Pro—This Is Her Affordable Secret to a Cozy, Inviting Space

Whenever I go home for the holidays, I’m struck by just how many bowls my mom has scattered around the kitchen and living room. By the entryway, a woven wicker bowl houses car keys, sunglasses, and lip balms. On the kitchen counter, you’ll find mixed nuts in a tiny ceramic bowl, and on the way to the living room, you’ll pass at least three wooden bowls filled with chocolates. And apparently, I’m not the only one — my family’s favorite “Saturday Night Live” skit about going home for the holidays has an entire verse dedicated to their mothers’ bowl collections.

While I used to think it was overkill, over the years I’ve come to look forward to the tiny treasures she scatters throughout the house. Not only do they ensure there’s always a sweet treat and salty snack nearby, but they also reduce clutter around the house for a cozier feel. If you’re looking for an affordable, easy way to enhance your home ahead of the holidays, these are seven of my mom’s favorite decorative bowls of all sizes, all available at Amazon.

Best Amazon Pinch Bowls Under $30

• Demdaco Ceramic Stoneware Decorative Bowls, Set of 4, $20
• Jamend Clxp Lotus Leaf Dish, Set of 2, $12
• Tubibu Olive Wood Mini Bowls, Set of 6, $25
• Selamica Ceramic Small Bowls, Set of 6, $18 with coupon (originally $19)
• Now Designs Terracotta Pinch Bowl, Set of 6, $16
• Hipiwe Key Basket Bowl, Set of 3, $26
• Ste-Cer Ceramic Dish, Set of 6, $16 (originally $17)

Demdaco Ceramic Stoneware Decorative Bowls, Set of 4

Coming in four earthy tones, these ceramic bowls are the perfect companions to my mom’s famous lasagna. She likes that they’re surprisingly roomy, holding up to 3 ounces, so whether you’re serving bread with butter or sides of parmesan cheese to sprinkle over pasta, they’re up to the task. Demdaco’s stoneware vessels match nearly any dinnerware set and add an elegant (yet laid-back) feel to any meal.

Jamend Clxp Lotus Leaf Dish, Set of 2

As functional as they can be, pinch bowls are first and foremost about visual appeal. While these ones are a bit too delicate to use for food, my mom loves this 2-piece, floral-inspired set for storing loose change and holding jewelry on her bedside table. We think they’d make a great affordable host gift ahead of the holiday season.

Tubibu Olive Wood Mini Bowls, Set of 6

These handmade wooden bowls from Tubibu are the multifunctional buy you didn’t know your household needed. My mom loves using them for flaky sea salt, crushed red pepper flakes, and other spices in her regular repertoire. Others, like this happy reviewer, find them useful for craft projects. One even asked, “Can I give this seller 10 stars?” instead of the typical five. 

Selamica Ceramic Small Bowls, Set of 6

Simple yet stylish, these ceramic bowls feature a brown terracotta-style rim and black speckles around its base for a rustic appeal. With a 5 ounce capacity, they’re a bit larger than some others on this list, making them great for serving small desserts or yogurt parfaits. My mom places hers in the bathroom for a chicer way to store cotton balls, swabs, hair ties, and toothpicks.

Now Designs Terracotta Pinch Bowl, Set of 6

My parents are huge tea drinkers, and they’re firm believers that tea bags are meant to be used more than just once. My mom keeps these teeny bowls around to drop tea bags into once they’ve finished steeping so she can reuse them when she’s ready for a refill. Arriving in an adorable set of six, Now Designs’ bowls feature a colorful glaze on the inside to counter their raw terracotta exteriors. Amazon shoppers love the tiny size of these vessels, noting they’re great for sorting medications and vitamins. We love that they come in a beautiful box that makes for ultra-easy gifting.

Hipiwe Key Basket Bowl, Set of 3

The console table at my parents’ place used to overflow with miscellaneous keys, sunglasses, and spare change. My mom says these wicker dishes were an instant solution, giving the space a more intentional feel. They come in three distinct sizes, making it easy to declutter your entire space — from neatening up your “dump zones,” those spots in the house where you tend to drop off your junk, to organizing snacks in the pantry. My parents live in the mountains, so my mom keeps one by the door that’s entirely dedicated to sunblock and lip balm.

Ste-Cer Ceramic Dish, Set of 6

With a capacity of 2.5 ounces, these ceramic bowls are great for serving condiments in style. My mom loves to pull these out on make-your-own taco night to make sides of cheese, sour cream, salsa, and guacamole more presentable on the table. I love that they add a fun pop to even the simplest of recipes — their unique glaze designs promise to make any meal look more appetizing.