The favourite time of the year is fast approaching, and travellers are deciding where to book their Christmas trips. As a property manager, you can make memorable moments for your guests by preparing your vacation rental for Christmas.
Is your rental prepared for this winter break? How do you get your property ready for the holiday season?
Here are some top tips to outfit your short-term rental for this time of the year. Take advantage of the opportunity to host groups and families and spread holiday cheer.
Table of Contents
1. Embrace the Christmas Spirit
The easiest way to create a merry atmosphere for your guests is to deck the halls. You can consider many religious and cultural styles in Christmas decorations. But keep in mind, don’t go overboard and tread lightly. It might be best to consider a relatively neutral one.
With this goal in mind, putting up a small Christmas tree, hanging a few stockings from the fireplace, and using white Christmas lights can create cheerful moods.
Plus, if your guests plan a longer stay, you can accommodate their preferences and help them enjoy cherished Christmas traditions.
2. Create a Cosier Atmosphere
If your rental is located in an area where it snows heavily, you should ensure that your home is prepared for the time when it gets chilly. You can consider the following maintenance checklist and items:
- Check to see if the heater or furnace is in good working order.
- Insulate your loft to keep your rental warmer.
- Clean gutters.
- Inspect the roof for any damages.
- Provide snow shovels and ice-melt in easy-to-access places to shovel the walkway.
- Provide extra blankets.
3. Keep Your Rental Spotless for the Holidays
It’s essential to perform extra cleaning when you are hosting a vacation rental for Christmas. This type of housekeeping focuses on addressing neglected areas often missed during regular cleanings.
It includes tasks like wiping down the insides of drawers and air conditioning vents to ensure everything looks its best. To guarantee more positive reviews and bookings, you should run deep-cleaning every six months before and after peak seasons.
4. Provide Fun Indoor Activities to Delight Christmas Guests
Many travellers prefer to ring in the New Year by staying in and hanging out with loved ones, especially when the weather is rainy or snowy.
To make sure that they will experience a memorable and enjoyable vacation, offer indoor recreational facilities, such as:
Board Games
Including board games as part of your strategy for preparing your vacation rentals for Christmas adds a festive touch.
Board games have a magical power to bring all family members together and keep them entertained and satisfied, especially exhausted kids. As a result, they will experience a cheerful atmosphere, and you can receive more great reviews.
Bear in mind to choose the board games suitable for most ages, easy to understand, and family-friendly. For instance, you can provide Monopoly, Candy Land, Pictionary, The Game of Life, and Azul.
Cooking and Baking
Holidays such as Christmas are worthwhile moments of gathering. So, making a delicious dinner or traditional food could be a great experience of being together.
Your guest can have a blessed holiday by accessing essential kitchen equipment, such as baking cookware, coffee mugs, and BBQ utensils.
5. Offer a Welcome Basket to Delight Christmas Guests
Create a memorable first impression with a thoughtfully curated Christmas welcome basket. This gesture not only showcases your generosity but also leaves your guests feeling valued and cherished.
A handwritten note accompanying the basket adds a personal touch. Fill the basket with festive treats like freshly baked cookies, gourmet hot chocolate mix, or seasonal goodies. You can also elevate the experience by including thoughtful extras, like tickets to a nearby theatre.
For added charm, consider packaging everything in a holiday-themed basket adorned with ribbons and a sprig of evergreen.
6. Send a Newsletter to Promote Your Vacation Rentals for Christmas
Send a holiday newsletter to your past guests to express your gratitude for the opportunity to connect with them. Share updates about your property and highlight any features that you’ve added to your vacation rental for Christmas.
In addition, it’s a good idea to add some photos of your seasonal decor, such as a highly cosy fireplace or a charming porch.
Sending a newsletter is also an extraordinary chance to inform your potential renters about popular local restaurants, historical sites, and festivals. Such content could be introduced via a simple video that drives more engagement.
Another announcement that could be included in this specific newsletter is offering a discount. This exclusive offer is an excellent opportunity to attract new travellers and retain your previous guests.
7. Set the Right Rate
You should adjust prices based on the market conditions. Rates vary based on geography, high demand, public feast days, and different behaviour of guests.
To maximise the occupancy rate of your vacation rental for Christmas, be sure to recommend the optimal nightly rate.
Dynamic pricing tools can assist you in setting prices based on the season and other important factors.
8. Make Christmas Special for the Less Fortunate
Although Christmas is a festive season where individuals spend time with their loved ones, most deprived people cannot celebrate this fantastic event.
That being the case, you as a host can organise a party for homeless people in your neighbourhood and invite your guests to participate in the party. This creates a sense of community, and your customers realise that you care about different aspects of society.
Are You Ready to Host the Best Vacation Rental for Christmas?
Making perfect vacation rentals for Christmas to celebrate family gatherings might seem stressful. But, by adding some personal touches and preparation, you can create the holiday spirit as nice as being at home. This reveals that you care about your guest stay and vacations.
Consider the above tips to make lasting impressions and get glowing reviews.
