After 14 months of blogging, it was a good exercise to look back at the most popular posts of 2018. But, how to determine a fan favorite list of the top ten?
First, I looked at the posts with the most pins to Pinterest. But, not all subscribers have a Pinterest account. Do you pin? So, I also looked at posts with the most visitor comments. After that, I considered which posts were featured by other bloggers on linkup parties.
Also taken into account, was the fact that some posts were published early in the year when Debbee’s Buzz was new and subscribers were far fewer. Versus the second half of the year, when followers grew by the hundreds! More subscribers net more visitors and interaction. Gosh, I sure love reading your comments and chatting with you!
Posts part of a Pinterest Challenge or Tablescape Hop yield more traffic from other participant bloggers. It also wasn’t until the spring, when I really started to take part in weekly linkup parties. That led to numerous posts being featured by other bloggers — a huge compliment!
Of the over 100 posts in 2018, the majority were related to Holidays. Here are your top ten, with a few honorable mentions and my own personal favorites. Let’s start right at the top of the list.
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To view and read each post, just click on the image or title link. How many of the top ten have you seen? Is your favorite post among them?
My Favorite Things Are Yours Too
Six of the top ten fan favorite posts were My Favorite Things Party features. Number one was from the French Queen Bee theme party; the first of the four events I ever hosted. It’s also the party that eventually led me to creating Debbee’s Buzz.
#1 Foodie Fan Favorite
Bee Theme Party Food Features Honey, Lemon was pinned over 1,500 times with 16 visitor comments. It was also the second time I participated in Erlene’s monthly Pinterest Challenge.
Honorable mention bee theme posts included:
- Bee Wreath and Skep Bee-autiful DIY Inspiration, Party Decorations
- Elegant French Queen Bee Invitation Made with Vintage Images
- A HapBEE Birthday Table and Beehive Dessert
Irish Eyes are Smiling
I was surprised to find that the next most pinned posts were from the first few months of blogging. It’s also when I started participating in weekly blog linkup parties. Both were St. Patrick’s Day tablescapes.
#2 Lucky Leprechaun
Quick and Easy Lucky Leprechaun Centerpiece had my Irish green eyes smiling. It was my first post to really gain online attention and blog subscribers. When did you sign-up for The Buzz?
Half of the top ten favorite fan posts were tablescapes. If you’re wondering how 6 party + 6 table posts =10, it’s because numerous features fell under both categories. Fuzzy math LOL!
#3 Striking Gold
This rather simple, but elegant St. Patrick’s Day tablescape was the gold at the end of the rainbow for new followers.
Recognize the gold tulle used for the table runner? It was recently used for New Years Eve Tablesetting Ideas
Yankee Doodle Dandies
Even with readers from Canada, Europe and even as far as South Africa, USA patriotic theme posts helped generate a spike in new followers.
#4 Give Me Liberty
Give Me Liberty Blue Tablescape Celebrates July 4th was the first time I participated in Chloe’s monthly Tablescape Hop. With this post, I got acquainted with a group of very talented table stylists.
Everyone seems to love the patriotic dish pattern, which was also featured in Set a Presidents Day Table with Liberty Blue.
Other popular patriotic posts:
- July 4th Patriots Table With Betsy Ross and Paul Revere
- Unique Uncle Sam Wreath Peddles Bike to July 4th Parade
Wave that red, white and blue!
Tablescapes Rule the Roost
Another blog hop table that had wide appeal was Rooster Kitchen Decor and Tableware.
#5 Tuscany Black Rooster
Readers were curious about my kitchen and enjoyed the follow-up post, Rooster Kitchen Decor and Tableware.
Popular Party Posts
During the course of the year, I featured all four theme My Favorite Things Parties. Post topics included DIY invitations, decorations, favors, games, menus and tablescapes.
#6 Debbee’s Party Playbook
How to Host an Extraordinary My Favorite Things Party (Part I) covered the five basics to holding a successful event.
I’ve been trying to publish Part II for months now, but something else is always more time-sensitive. Hopefully, I’ll finish it up in the next month or two. Check out all four theme parties.
Have you ever had a My Favorite Things Party?
Storybook Inspired
Not only was this feature popular with visitors, it was my personal favorite holiday and tablescape post of 2018.
#7 Mr. McGregor’s Garden
Everyone seems to have a soft spot for Beatrix Potter stories and illustrations, as evident by the popularity of Easter Hunt in Mr. McGregor& Garden.
I loved the opportunity of using my Beatrix Potter figurine collection to create a centerpiece and tablescape. But, it took me hours!
Down the Rabbit Hole
Three of the ten most-popular posts were related to the Unbirthday Party theme.
#8 Tea Time
Next up as a fan favorite post was Alice in Wonderland Table and Party Favors. I hand-painted the character ice tea goblets. Later this spring, I’ll share a DIY tutorial to create your own.
Other Wonderland tea party related posts:
- DIY Alice in Wonderland Cards and Teapot Centerpiece
- DIY Vintage China Tier Server Stand for Tea Party
#9 Fascinating Favors
How to Make Whimsical Teacup Fascinators included a tutorial to make Mad Hatter party hats.
Lucky follower Leanne was the winner of the Alice in Wonderland party favor package in the Labor Day drawing.
#10 Happy Unbirthday to Me
My top personal party pick rounds out fan favorite posts; the Alice in Wonderland, Unbirthday Party Reveal.
We sure had a lot of fun, and I hope you enjoyed ‘joining’ us?
Popular Post Categories
Another category of posts that was a fan favorite was DIY projects; particularly Wreaths. Wreath posts were the most featured by other bloggers in linkup parties.
Don’t Bug Me Summer Garden Wreath was also the most requested via my Etsy shop, Debbee’s Buzz Boutique.
Although as not broadly appealing as other post categories, a subset of readers were enthusiastic about Travel category features.
During the past year, I posted travel logs about trips to Iceland, Spain and Quebec City, Canada.
Later in January (when we’re all dreaming of warmer weather), I’ll finish up our vacation in Greece with a small ship cruising experience. I hope you’ll be onboard!
So, did your personal picks make the top ten fan favorite posts? Please let me know — I’d love to hear from you!
Link Parties
I regularly participate in: Metamorphous Monday, Turn About Tuesday, Centerpiece Wednesday, Whimsical Home Projects, In Link Party, Share Your Style, Tablescape Thursday, Thursday Favorite Things, Crafty Creators, Fabulous Friday, Saturday Sparks, Happiness is Homemade, and Love Your Creativity.
Coffee in the morning with you is such a good way to start my day. Those post of yore were such fun to revisit. A memory refresher for me. I don’t really have a favorite, they are all good but, McGregor’s Garden had me up nights wishing I lived close by a nursery. Second, bees and honey. Third, forth fifth and so on, came in third. If there is a number above one, I have to pick your travel photos. By osmosis I was there at every stop. To pick a favorite among those, I wouldn’t be able to do.
I have a question, how many Byer singer do you have? They seem to come up at all seasons. I really like them. I’ll have to look up their story.
From a dreary Copenhagen day here in North Georgia, I wish you sunshine. Maybe even a cup of something warm on your lovely veranda. Happy 2019.
Hi Kem, you are one of my first subscribers and one of the few readers to have seen each post as published. Wish the travel log posts were more popular; every time I publish one I lose a couple of subscribers (sniff!). Aw well, gotta be me! Glad you enjoy them.
Not sure how many Byers I have? They are made in New Hope, PA, outside Philly. That’s where I first discovered them. Haven’t shared my Christmas ones as yet (8 Dickens figures, 4 nutcracker story, 3 Salvation Army). Then there’s 3 Halloween, 6 Thanksgiving, 5 patriotic, 3 kitchen, and a couple more… maybe 35? The only one I’d add at this point is Betsy Ross sitting. Dreary here too, especially since my mom went home yesterday. Now I have to put all the crazy lady (yours truly) who lives here holiday decorations away!
You are the “bee’s knees”as well as the “queen” of the blog “kingdom”. Please keep on blogging!
Aw, thanks for the encouragement Carolyn! This year will be my make or break year in terms of continuing. It’s a very expensive and time-consuming hobby.
I agree with Carolyn–keep on blogging! It’s hard for me to pick my favorites because I love them all but I was especially drawn to the Rooster table setting. And my patience finally paid off because Pier 1 just came out with Country Rooster plates with blue which matches my decor. And I brought them home tonight after work! I also have Beatrix Potter figurines so that layout was inspiring as well. I have to say that I was most inspired by the Alice in Wonderland themed party. A friend and I are going to host one in the spring and I am having so much fun “gathering” what we’ll need! I must look at your AiW blog at least 2 or 3 times a week! Thank you so much for all that you do to make this hobby of ours so much fun. Best wishes in the new year!
Love all the feedback; thanks so much June! I just peeked at the Pier 1 plates — too cute! Can’t wait to hear more about your Wonderland theme party?! What’s the occasion? How many guests? Will you where hats? Like you, I love gathering things around a theme — it’s like an addiction LOL! If you see anything in the Wonderland posts you like or want to locate let me know. I’ve got some black/white checkered table runners, flamingo crochet accessories, left over paper products, character trio stands, etc. from the Unbirthday Party I’d be happy to pass along at cost plus shipping.
You, my friend, are a welcome addition to the blogging community, and a welcome addition to my favorite blogs to read. I love your enthusiasm for creative tables and full-fledged soirees. You take details to the exponential, Debbee, and they are all pin-worthy. Yes, I pin!
Happy first year of blogging success! I look forward to seeing what 2019 brings from your corner of the map.
Rita, what a lovely thing to say! Thank you for being so supportive, encouraging and helpful this past year. And, for you generous and eloquent comments! Hoping 2019 is the year we cross paths and meet in person. Hugs!