The holiday season is upon us, and as everybody knows, decorating for the holidays is half the fun! If you own a vacation rental, this offers a great opportunity to make your rental property extra cozy for the season.
Decorating a vacation rental for Christmas is a little different from decorating a primary residence. The idea is to make your guests feel welcomed without overwhelming them with holiday cheer. For smaller rentals, part of the challenge is creating a warm holiday ambiance in a limited space!
Easy Ways to Decorate Your Vacation Rental for Christmas
Hang some lights
The exterior of your vacation property is the first thing anyone will see upon arrival, and there’s no better way to welcome your guests during the holidays than with some festive lights. This is also an area where it’s easy to go overboard… so don’t get too crazy!
In general, a tasteful strand (or two) of simple, white Christmas lights is much better than a gaudier display. Nix the giant multi-colored bulbs and blinking light shows.
A string of lights across the porch, around the front entryway, or along the roof line is a nice touch. If there are evergreen shrubs or small trees in the front yard, adding lights to them can also be a great option.
To tree or not to tree (that is the question!)
Some vacation property owners choose to set up a Christmas tree for their holiday season guests, while others feel like a tree is overkill and more trouble than it’s worth. Ultimately, that choice is up to you.
What we will say is that, if you do choose to put up a tree, a small and tastefully decorated one is best. A tabletop tree with a few carefully chosen unbreakable ornaments can be a cheerful addition to your property. And it goes without saying that an artificial tree is the way to go; live trees make a mess and require too much maintenance to prevent them from becoming a fire hazard.
Leave a small gift
Christmas is the season of giving and your vacation rental guests will surely appreciate a small token of appreciation. You don’t have to leave a large or expensive gift, just something small and thoughtful that will make them feel even more welcomed in their new space.
For example, you could leave out some hot chocolate along with holiday mugs, or maybe an assortment of holiday candies or cookies. Some landlords who allow pets in their vacation rentals might choose to leave their guests some holiday dog treats!
Offer a Christmas deal
A great way to thank your holiday season guests (and to encourage more of them to book a stay at your vacation rental) is to offer a Christmas deal or incentive. Including a gift card or a meal at a local restaurant is a great way to sweeten the deal, though some landlords go the more straightforward route of offering a limited number of discounted stays.
Deck the halls
We all have our own taste when it comes to holiday decorations, but when you’re decorating a vacation rental, it’s usually best to decorate in a way that will appeal to everyone, and of course match the ambiance and architecture of your property.
Try hanging a wreath on the door and a few stockings on the mantle. A scattering of holiday ornaments here and there is a nice touch, and who doesn’t love some Christmas greenery. Beware of artificially scented air fresheners or candles – some people are very sensitive to synthetic fragrances.
Looking for more vacation rental holiday decorating and other property management tips? Contact us today to talk with our experienced rental property management team.
