The holiday season is here and as much fun as it is, it can also be very stressful, especially if you are entertaining in your new home. As a 20-something who has bought two homes in two years a�� one during wedding planning and one after moving back home to South Carolina a few weeks before Christmas a�� I know a thing or two about celebrating the holidays in chaos 🙂 With all of this experience under my belt, I thought I would give a few tips on Southern Hostess Mistakes and Housewarming Party Tips, many of which I have done a few times. A�
And although you can’t prepare for every holiday mishap that will come up, you can protect your home and the memories you have made pretty easily with the help of homeowners insurance. I own my main home and a rental property and after living A�through a few hurricanes and snowstorms, there is nothing more important than protecting your family through homeowners insurance and if you are in the market for it, be sure to check out Progressive for all of your home or auto needs.
No matter how crazy things may get, don’t forget to celebrate life this holiday season and the holiday season is the perfect time for a housewarming. As a Historically Black College and University alum and Black Southern Belle, I love the idea of celebrating the holidays and our new southern home.
Southern Hostess Mistakes
Forgetting to vet your guest list and seating your best friend next to her ex: There is nothing worse than seating your best friend next to her. The party will be awkward and she will be sure to return the favor at a later date so be sure to avoid it at all costs 🙂
Mixing up the cinnamon and cumin for your favorite southern dessert: Once upon a time, I made chicken livers and instead of cajun seasoning, I made them with cinnamon. Please learn from my mistake before your pound cakes taste like curry.
Dropping your specialty cocktails and new glasses on the front porch: I love china and I love specialty cocktails so a piece of my soul dies when I dropped both of them. Be sure to assign that task to anyone who is less clumsy than yourself or at least not wearing heels.
Dropping your ornamental decor all over the porch: You can never have enough holiday ornaments but you can have too many on the ground. Try to avoid the urge to overstuff your vases with holiday decor especially if you are known to be besties with accidents.
Spelling Your Labels Incorrectly: Unfortunately for me, there is no spellcheck in my pen. There is nothing more embarrassing than spelling a label incorrectly especially if you have no more left. Thankfully perfect grammar won’t stop a cocktail party.
You can’t protect yourself from hostess mistakes, but you can protect your home during the holidays with Progressive Homeowner’s Insurance. Get a free quote that will protect your family despite what the holiday season may bring you. A�
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Holiday Housewarming Tips
No matter how many mistakes may happen, you can still keep your party stylish and protect those stylish items with homeowner’s A�insurance from Progressive.
Mix Up the Patterns: Don’t be afraid to mix up pattern styles, modern and vintage are a match made in heaven!
Use Unique Glassware for Cocktails: Drinks taste better when they look good. A unique vintage piece or custom modern wine glass is a great option for your party and to have in your home collection.
Add Some Color: Don’t be afraid to add some color to your holiday housewarming decor. This is a great time to invest in decor that can be used for the holidays but enjoyed in your home throughout the year so using some of your favorite colors is always a good idea.
Bring Furniture From Indoors: You may not have your home fully furnished for a front porch housewarming party but you can always bring a few pieces from inside to create more seating and eating areas for your guests such as coffee table or bar stools.
Create a Cocktail Station: Looking to add some social media worthy wow to a holiday housewarming soiree, a cocktail station full of unique trays, glassware, cocktail napkins and more is the perfect way to create a unique gathering space for your guests.
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I hope you are equipped to at least avoid my clumsiness and forgetfulness. Here are some tips you need to pull off a stylish holiday party no matter what happens. And no matter what, remember that your hosting and entertaining is not just about the moment, but building memories to cherish for life in your new home.
Images by Chantilly Lace Photography
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Progressive Insurance. The opinions and text are all mine.
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Michiel is a Black Southern Belle living a lowcountry life. I love all things fashion, home decor and southern! When I am not running around doing fun stuff for Black Southern Belle, I live in antique stores and have a minor obsession with historic homes :)
