Decorating for Holidays

[Angela3878]

With the holidays coming up, do you decorate your host home for Thanksgiving or Christmas? I would like to put up a tree and a little decor but I do not want to offend different religious or ethnic groups. Your thoughts? 

[Angela3989]

@Angela3878  Hello Angela! Lovely name ;). Definitely not decorating. I feel that it's just more work, probably something that might fall down or get broken/stolen and think many people just want to get AWAY from the holiday festivity deluge often times! A lot of people find the winter holidays depressing and stressful. Not everyone has a great family situation and I would say half of people just plain hate Christmas. So I mean there's more to it than just offending other religions , which I think is also an issue. I understand the desire to make the place homey, but I think it is better done using non-holiday-related, more timeless tactics. Just my opinion! Best of luck!

[John2406]

Hi @Angela3878, and thanks for a great question, especially as we hurtle towards a busy time of year.

Whilst I agree to  certain extent with your namesake, @Angela3989, what we did in the distant past was to provide a Christmas tree and decorations automatically, although in more recent years, we have asked each booking whether they would like us to decorate our place, and we've said what we usually provide.

To date we've not had anyone say they didn't want such decorations,  and everyone has thanked us for making our place so Christmassy, and their Christmas so extra special !

Yes, putting up everything and dressing the tree does take time (not so  long taking everything down on 12th night however! )  but I suppose everything depends upon your Guests as to what they would like/prefer. 

Of course, I am looking at the question as regards what happens here, across the pond in the United Kingdom, and Guests' preferences will - I'm sure - differ right across the globe.

One extra comment I'd make is that it's never too much trouble to put smiles on Guests' faces, or help them to enjoy their stay by adding lit, e things at various times of year.

And talking of times of year, it's usual (over here, at least) for hotels to dress their foyers and other areas, year after year, to welcome their Guests.  As to "offending other religions", I have found that as long as what one does doesn't include anything offensive, most go along with the traditions of the Country they're visiting.

The best thing to do, anyway, is to just ask the question of your Guests, even if you word it as "we usually put up a Christmas/Thanksgiving tree at this time of year, and we also put up some decor; would that be OK with you?"

At worst, they could just say No thank you, but then again you might receive an enthusiastic "Yes please"!

You can also take lots of photos of the trees and decorations to add them to your listing, to promote your present Thanksgiving /Christmas, to and for your next year's  Guests, to show what you're able to provide!

All the best, and whatever you decide to do, have a lovely Thanksgiving AND a wonderful Christmas! 

[Angela3878]

Thank you, John, for your feedback. I appreciate your detailed response and will more than likely still decorate just a little. I have families staying the week or Thanksgiving and Christmas, thinking it will be a nice touch.

Warmest regards, Angela3989

[Irina675]

Hi Angela I do decorate for fall and I put up a tree and some minimal decor for Christmas to make things festive for my guests. 

[Imran155]

Hi Angela,

From what we have seen such additions do not add great value to the experience of a guest or perhaps even create any additional income opportunity for the host himself.

In addition the trouble of making sure any decorative items are not damaged or stolen is almost impossible. Let alone the aspect of some guest claiming it to be potentially hazardous for children etc.

In our case we have been so busy with back-to-back check-ins that it is going to be very hard for us to add any decorations.

If you have some permanent decorations for your listing that would make more sense.

Just how I feel as host on this subject. Happy holiday season. ✨🌟🎉🌟✨

[Elizabeth3618]

This is our first winter holiday season hosting. I have decided that we will keep any decorations to *seasonal* looking, rather than "holiday" looking. We are in a wooded area that really sees the seasons, so that helps. But essentially harvest type decorations in fall (pumpkins, gourds, and fall colors,  items decorated with reddish, yellowish, and brownish leaves.) , wintery woodland decorations in winter, (deer, snowflakes, snowy pine tree decorations but without ornaments, etc.) . For the spring, pretty and perky things that emerge in the spring (Bunnies and flowers, yes, Easter eggs, no.) Turkeys are quite prevalent around our area in the fall, so turkeys go with the fall season to me, but nothing saying Happy Thanksgiving and nothing decorated with Pilgrim images.

I hope that helps.

[Dawn939]

Hi Angela, great question. I agree with @John2406 that it makes your space feel more homey and happy for guests who are staying during the fall and winter holiday season. I also think it's nice to ask guests if they are ok with it. To reduce expenses, I buy things at Home Goods, Marshalls, TJ Maxx, Michaels and similar discount/bargain stores we have here in the US. 

[Helen3514]

I'm in the UK and definitely going to put a small tree up here and garland over the log burner! It's part of going away for the festive season. 

I think if anyone has issues - they would check in advance. 

Enjoy! 

[Gary-And-Marie0]

Hi Angela, our home is on the same property as our BnB.  Gary strings lights on our fence and 1 fruit  tree.  We put our tree on our front deck facing the main road (no room inside).  It is IMPOSSIBLE to please everyone but IMPORTANT to respect everyone so we have always kept our personal beliefs to ourselves.  I have many positive signs & messages on the deck and inside so it's easy to know who we are.   It's a crazy world we're living in these days so be who you are and let your Love speak loud.  Marie

[Cynthia24]

I always decorate the campground and cabins for the holidays. I have five buildings with porches so it is a chore but it looks so special. I do not make excuses for my faith. It is the foundation of our country and my life. Guests are coming to my house…when in Rome …Merry Christmas to all!

[Erin8219]

Hi Angela!
I am a brand new host - I just closed my retail shop and decorating for Christmas was one of my most favorite things for my customers. I have a collection of blow molds & lights.  It is taking everything in me not to overdecorate.  But I am for sure going to be adding some Christmas cheer. I feel like decorating and making the place cozy and festive is good hospitality and good hospitality is never offensive. Just my 2 cents. 🙂 

[Doris535]

Hello ACC, I typically avoid decorating for the holidays out of respect for the diverse range of religious beliefs, as I want to ensure everyone feels welcome. 

However, I am  now considering incorporating holiday decor as part of

an online marketing strategy to attract a specific group of guests.

[Gg11]

I don't think I would personally decorate for the holidays simply because I believe that it's a choice of different people's opinions and some people do not recognize Thanksgiving to be a holiday so call I tried to stay neutral as far as keeping my home host to characterize just about anybody and everybody

[Mike-And-Jane0]

@Gg11 many in the UK celebrate Thanksgiving on July 4th.