Christmas is magical. It is a season defined by festive elements: twinkling lights, cozy nights, and holiday food. More importantly, the air is often filled with laughter, marking it as a special time that naturally unites people. No wonder many find it the perfect time to escape routine and make memories in a new place.
Guests planning a holiday getaway actively search for that perfect cozy cabin or an elegant, festive retreat. They want a beautiful setting to make priceless family memories together.
For vacation rentals, this is a wonderful opportunity to boost bookings, delight guests, and earn positive reviews that last long beyond the festivities. But before you welcome holiday travelers, consider preparing it for holiday cheer.
Below are a few ways you can prepare your vacation rental for the Christmas holiday season.
#1 Add Warm and Welcoming Festive Décor
Create a festive atmosphere to make your guests feel welcomed the moment they step in. When decorating the living room, the goal is always maximum cheer with minimum clutter. Guests need space, so you should definitely avoid overflowing surfaces. Focus on high-impact pieces that save valuable floor space.
Garlands and wreaths add holiday charm and a natural, festive feel. You can drape simple, realistic garlands over the mantel or along stair railings. They work across the top of a cabinet, too.
Add a welcoming wreath on the front door or an interior wall. This decorative choice keeps your tables clear. Use simple, hardy greenery like pine or fir boughs in existing planters. These arrangements add character without much care.
Putting up a tree is central to the holiday experience. An artificial tree is the safest and easiest option for rentals.
For homes with standard eight to ten-foot ceilings, a seven to seven-and-a-half-foot tree is ideal. This height leaves space for a festive tree topper. If you have a smaller space or an entryway, choose a slim or pencil tree. It brings cheer without taking over the entire room.
#2 Make the Rental Cozy and Winter-Ready
Your property must feel like a warm hug the moment guests walk in. This sense of coziness starts with textiles and temperature control. Swap out your regular linens for plush, cozy materials. Provide extra throw blankets, especially chunky knit ones.
To ensure consistent comfort, reverse your ceiling fans. This pushes the warm air that collects near the ceiling back down into the living space. Set the thermostat to a consistent, comfortable temperature. Around 70 degrees is often recommended. Test your heating systems, too.
Don’t forget the fireplace. A fireplace instantly creates a holiday atmosphere, but safety is key. Flue Fighters notes that creosote, a highly flammable residue, accumulates in chimneys and poses a fire risk. Skilled chimney sweeps ensure this material is safely removed, thereby mitigating the risk of a chimney fire.
Prioritize this if you’re hosting a holiday rental in cities known for crisp winters. Take Asheville, for instance. Travelers flock to the city all year, but the Christmas holiday season is the busiest time.
This North Carolina city is downright chilly in December, with temperatures hovering around 33°F. Chimney sweeps for Asheville homes become important this time of year, as clean, safe fireplaces keep rentals warm, inviting, and winter-ready.
#3 Stock the Kitchen for Holiday Cooking
Holiday guests often plan to prepare large, traditional meals. A basic kitchen inventory simply won’t cut it for a full Christmas feast. You need to provide the right tools, so your guests can maintain their cooking traditions.
According to Statista, turkey and ham are the leading choices for Christmas dinner. Each appears as the main course in half of all U.S. celebrations. A sturdy roasting pan is necessary for both dishes.
Provide large casserole dishes for classic holiday side dishes. Also, ensure you have high-quality cookware, including non-stick skillets and a very large stockpot. A full set of sharp knives and cutting boards is also necessary for prepping large quantities of ingredients.
Baking together is a cherished tradition for many Christmas families. Outfit the kitchen with baking essentials like cookie sheets and a muffin or cake pan. Dry ingredients like all-purpose flour, white sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla extract are also a must.
Simplify cleanup and leftovers for your guests. Provide essential food storage items like containers or Tupperware, along with aluminum foil, plastic wrap, ample trash bags, and plenty of dish towels.
Maximizing Comfort for the Most Wonderful Time of Year
More than just hanging decorations, preparing your rental for the Christmas season is about crafting an environment where guests feel immediately welcome.
You must aim to create a space where strangers feel like family, where memories are made, and where the stress of everyday life melts away for a few magical days.
Follow these tips, and you will ensure a fantastic, five-star stay for your Christmas guests. Your rental will also become a holiday haven that guests eagerly recommend to others.
Now, go ahead and delight your holiday guests. Your Christmas bookings and glowing reviews are waiting!
