Christmas Decorations

[Bec3748]

Hi all, I have a lovely couple arriving from the UK in a week who’ll be staying in my cabin for three weeks in the lead-up to Christmas. Their relatives nearby mentioned that they do celebrate the holiday, so I’d love to add a few gentle festive touches to the space. Nothing over the top, just a warm nod to the season.

For those of you who host longer stays at this time of year, what light, tasteful decorations have worked well for you? I’m thinking simple and elegant. Something that feels welcoming without overwhelming the space.

Would love to hear your ideas!

[Helen427 · Accepted solution]

@Bec3748 

Do you have access to a live Christmas Tree?

They are always delightful in a plant pot, so long as you can water it.

Those who come from a different hemisphere always enjoy the reverse seasons...and a taste of Pavlova!

Have you reached out to their relatives or your guests to establish any potential Food allergies?

Or what they like?

Perhaps some home made treats in an Australian Cake Tin and they can take the empty tin home.

Or create a nice Australian products Gift Basket for them to enjoy and take home if they wish.

Alternatively 

@Laurelle3 always has great suggestions so perhaps read her earlier contributions.

Have a wonderful time.

[Laurelle3]

@Helen427427 thank you for thinking of me and @Bec3748 the things that we provide for our guests are simple.

*I make a garland for the front door.

*A small wooden Christmas tree made by husband by the front door with lights and baubles on.  

*The front porch/verandah has solar Christmas lights around the ceiling and down the post.

*We have a small artificial tree for the table decorations.

*I have a vase of gum leaves with baubles on the bench near the door.

*We have a pot plant tree on the back verandah all year round and put tinsel and baubles on it.

*On Christmas morning we leave a small present for each of the guest on the doorstep as dawn breaks in case they are going out early to the beach to surf or on their boats/canoes.

As we have had over the past years, our Guests are visiting Australia,  if they are adults, we give them a pair of sox with an Australian design and boutique chocolate bar each. The children we give them get a pair of socks and a small Australian toy. Always thinking they have to pack it in their suitcases.

*We ask our Guest to join us for Christmas Day Dinner which for us is a cold buffet selection of ham, chicken, prawns, different salads, finger food for starters. For dessert it is usually mini pavlovas with berry fruits and berry coulee, trifle and plum pudding and custard. It is a self-serve knowing that we all eat different foods and have allergies. A little drink is served with the meal. Then it is leftovers for the next day or two.  

This year we are having an Austrian family staying with us and we have offered them an extra night after they booked as we had a 6 day window for bookings but a 5 day minimum. They chose to arrive on Christmas day.  We offered them an extra night Christmas eve free because I thought where are they going to find accommodation travelling when we know people usually book the night before Christmas. 

We will offer them to join us for supper on Christmas eve as we have a big tree lit up in the front lounge window for people on the street to see. There will be a small present on the tree for each of the children aged 3 and 6. As we know European most countries celebrate on Christmas eve. We will also ask them to join us for Christmas Dinner too. 

My thoughts are "Sharing is Caring" and are tables are made to share especially at this time of year. 

This is what makes being an Airbnb Host enjoyable to me and my husband. They are my memories that i have too and I hope I have made our Guests Happy.   

[Bec3748]

Wow, this is absolutely beautiful... you and your husband are incredible hosts, and now I want to be at your place next Christmas. The thought and generosity you put into every detail is just gorgeous, from the handmade decorations to the small presents at dawn and even inviting guests to share Christmas meals with you. I really love the idea of decorating around the door.. Thank you for sharing @Laurelle3 , truly heartwarming 💟

[Laurelle3]

@Bec3748 it makes it easy when you live on site. I wish you a Merry Christmas and we hope you find your way of preparing for your own Guests. As I believe we do what we think is our way whether it is small or big.

We don't have family to visit. Our daughter lives in New Zealand and our son is always involved with his wife's family as they live close. Our home is 3-hour drive. We do meetup over the holiday period. 

So that is why we share our home with others. 

We wish you a Merry Christmas.

[Bec3748]

Thanks @Helen427, I love those ideas. I don’t have a live tree at the moment, but I know where to get one — I’ll just have to check whether the kangaroos will treat it like a snack, as they thump through the garden! The bonus of keeping it outside the door is that I can easily water it, especially with the heat we’ve had — it hit 42°C here a few days ago, and guests from the UK probably wouldn’t realise how quickly plants get heat-stressed. Thankfully the cabin’s entrance faces south, so it’s shaded. And I absolutely adore the idea of an Australian-themed gift basket. Such thoughtful suggestions — really appreciate it. 

[Bhumika]

@Helen427 , I have never tasted Pavlova and just googled it! It looks so delicious and gorgeous 😍 I'd love to give it a try someday or prepare at home. 

Do you often make this dessert during holiday season?

Regards,

[Frances3408]

@Bec3748 . I remote host so I like to keep decorations simple, mostly as we tend to get larger family groups coming through on back to back bookings (mostly with pets). We have solar lights set up year round already and an active local wildlife so I'd rather guests get to experience that side of Australia with native animal spotting; something my previous UK guests appreciated (they were into bushwalking and birdwatching). 

Specifically I focus on dressing up the front entry doorway. I add a small Christmas tree and a few decorations around. 

For me Christmas prep is all about the food and activities so I try to include as many things as my family have at Christmas which blends Aussie and European Christmas traditions.

The welcome basket has both traditional xmas foods as well as fruit (eg mangoes, bananas, avacados). More fruit goes in the fridge with the chocolates or tim tams and wine/champagne/beer. If kids are in booking I include art materials and colouring in books and comics (full retro) and individual ice creams in the freezer (thats usually the first thing to run out at the local IGA). 

I also include a few boxes of crackers, Christmas themed tablecloth, tea towels etc. A past guest even mentioned my dog Christmas tea towel in her review so yes the little things matter.

Then I make sure the basic hosting things are in order- BBQ and air conditioning vents clean, wifi and all TVs work, including remotes, outdoor games have all the pieces etc.

I track down as many local events as I can (both Christmas themed and not) including church services and carols in parks. Dont forget to include trading hours for shops, petrol and local restaurants and clubs as many close Christmas Day or trade shorter hours. Did they need a hairdresser, nail salon etc?

Longer stays you want them to feel like they could be locals 🙂

[Bec3748]

Wow @Frances3408 , you really take care of your guests — I want to be at your place next Christmas 🙂

I love how thoughtful and balanced your approach is, especially the mix of simple entry decorations and all those small festive touches. I love the fruit idea, Thankyou! 

Creating a gentle, welcoming Christmas atmosphere without going over the top is exactly what I’m aiming for. Thanks for the inspiration!

[Frances3408]

@Bec3748 Bec, you are very welcome. 

[Bhumika]

@Frances3408 , I love how you have included festive items for guests of all age groups! 

Is there a particular activity, treat,  tradition or food item that has become a guest favourite over the years? For example, do guests rave about the bush walks or animal spotting, the welcome basket, or perhaps a certain local event you recommended?

I’d love to hear what gets you the most smiles and excellent reviews 😍

Regards,

[Frances3408]

@Bhumika . Local fireworks on the river sandbank were a hit but council cut backs and increasing bird sanctuary awareness mean thats gone for now. We have a resident magpie family that been here for many years that guests enjoy as they do not swoop and are very friendly.

One special tradition we have here is every Christmas Eve Santa makes the rounds through the local streets on the local Rural Fire Services RED truck, decked out in decorations. 🙂 

[Bhumika]

@Frances3408 the Christmas parade with Santa must be so exciting! I missed the one we had in Toronto this year, but I am sure it must be a great experience for your guests 🎅

[Helen427]

@Frances3408 

That's really fabulous your local community still do the Firetruck rounds.

Do you also have local community groups going around on the back of the truck singing Christmas Carols?

Those are the aspects and layers of history society needs to focus on returning in everyone's lives.

Joy to the World!

[Ryan4241]

Hi @Bec3748,

We run two cabins in Sweden, and every Christmas, or any holiday, really, we love decorating them. It has become a family tradition, and our guests genuinely appreciate the extra effort.

Here’s what we usually do to make the cabins feel festive and inviting:

Put up a full Christmas tree

Stock the fire with plenty of wood

Change all cushion and bedding covers to red for a warm, seasonal feel

Add tasteful Christmas ornaments and soft lighting throughout the cabins

Leave gingerbread biscuits, marshmallows and sticks for s’mores by the fire pit

Place our welcome letter inside a Christmas card instead of using plain paper

We try to make everything as cosy and thoughtful as possible, and these small touches make a noticeable difference to our guests’ experience.

We normally start decorating in late October or mid-November so we can take updated photos and begin promoting the Christmas dates early.

I hope this helps anyone looking to add a bit of holiday charm to their listings.

You can check my profile to see what I mean.