It’s that time of year again! The holidays are just around the corner, and if you’re a host, that means it’s time to start thinking about whether or not you want to deck the halls (and your vacation rental). But while you may be tempted to go all out and turn your short-term rental into a winter wonderland, you might want to think twice before doing so, as there are a few things you should keep in mind. In this article, I’m laying out the pros and cons of decorating your Airbnb for the holidays.
Airbnb Christmas Decor – Yay or Nay?
So, what do you think – to deck the halls or not to deck the halls? Let’s talk about the pros first!
The Pros of Decorating Your Airbnb for Christmas
There’s no denying that many guests love getting into the holiday spirit while on vacation. If you live in a popular tourist destination, chances are you’ll have plenty of visitors during the holiday season, as many people travel to be with family and friends for the holidays. And what better way to get them into the holiday spirit than by staying in an Airbnb decked out with all the trimmings?
Another way to impress your guests? With these Airbnb amenities!
Decorating your Airbnb for Christmas can also make your rental feel more like home. Having some familiar holiday decorations can be nice when spending holidays in another city or country. This is especially true if you’re hosting guests who are traveling alone or don’t have any family or friends nearby.
Let’s face it: putting up Christmas decorations can be fun! If you enjoy getting into the holiday spirit, you will also enjoy decorating your Airbnb. Plus, who doesn’t love listening to jolly Christmas music while they work?
Another pro of decorating your Airbnb for Christmas is that it can help you stand out from the competition. There are plenty of vacation rentals to choose from in most areas, so anything you can do to make your rental unique and more appealing to guests is a good idea. And what’s more festive than a well-decorated Airbnb?
If you’re renting over the holidays, you’re probably charging a premium rate, so why not give your guests a little extra cheer? It’s true that by the time you decorate, you’ll probably already be booked for the season, but changing it up for the holidays gives you a great reason to take some fresh photos, both for your listings and for social media.
After you’ve added holiday cheer, you’ve got to show it off! Great vacation rental photos are essential. Use these DIY vacation rental photography tips for great shots that will do wonders for your search ranking.
Now, on to a few potential drawbacks that you should be aware of!
The Cons of Decorating Your Airbnb for Christmas
Indeed, there are also some potential downsides to decking out your Airbnb for Christmas.
For starters, there’s the issue of cost. If you’re starting from scratch, decorations can add up quickly, especially if you go all out with an outdoor light display. Then you’ve got to find or buy containers to store everything safely after the season ends, So if you’re on a tight budget, it might be better to save your money for something else.
Any dad will tell you Christmas decorations can be a lot of work to set up and take down. You’ll need to invest time and energy into decorating your rental, and if you’re doing it yourself, that can mean a lot of extra work in addition to your regular hosting duties.
If you’re hiring someone else to do it, you’ll probably need to direct them and make sure they take them down and store them correctly in January. If the whole idea sounds more overwhelming than fun, it’s perfectly okay to skip it.
If decorating still sounds fun to you, that’s great. Just be sure to curb the impulse to go overboard with decorations. What’s fun for one person can be overwhelming for another, so it’s important to avoid clutter. If you have a small vacation rental, it’s crucial to exercise restraint.
The most important thing to consider is that your guests might not appreciate all the holiday hoopla. Christmas decorations can be, in fact, a turnoff for some guests. Suppose you’re renting to business travelers or people who are looking for a quiet getaway. In that case, they may not be thrilled about arriving at a property that’s decked out in holiday decorations. And, of course, not everyone celebrates Christmas, so by decorating your rental property for the holidays, you risk making those guests feel unwelcome, which is the last thing you want.
If you want to avoid offending anyone, you could mention in advance in your listings that your place is decorated for the holidays so guests will know what to expect, or better yet, add those photos to your listing. Alternatively, you can opt for more neutral rental decor that will add winter charm to your Airbnb.
So, should you decorate your Airbnb for Christmas? Ultimately, the decision is up to you! If you think it will add to the guest experience and are up for the challenge, go for it! But if you’re not sure it’s worth the effort, there’s no shame in keeping things simple this holiday season.
In the comments below, let me know what you think: do you love or hate when Airbnbs are decorated for the holidays? I’d love to hear your thoughts!
