Hosting Germany Family for the Holidays - Any tips to make their stay memorable?

[Danielle681]

We would normally provide a Booking Information Form for our guests so we know a little bit about them, transportation needs, allergies and so forth.

This would be our first time hosting guests from Germany and we want to ensure they enjoy their stay to the max! Any tips for the holiday season? Any customs that they have or things we can surprise them with to show our appreciation? It is a family of 5.

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

@Danielle681 When you say "holiday season" do you mean the summer holidays (now) or the winter holidays (Christmas, new year, etc)?

If the latter, it might help to know that the main fay of Christmas celebration for Germans is traditionally the 24th of December. Many of the traditions for the season are oriented toward cold winter weather - hot mulled wine, roast goose, etc.  But children might be pleasantly surprised to find an advent calendar with local treats, or some holiday cookies (which are a very big deal here).

For the most part, German families who can afford overseas holidays tend to be pretty accustomed to visiting places with different languages and customs, so I wouldn't expect them to feel any more culture shock than North American visitors in Barbados. So rather than surprising them with something German, I would actually suggest sharing something from your own culture and traditions to make their stay more memorable and help the kids learn something about the place they're visiting.

[Danielle681]

Thank you so much for responding Andrew. My apologies we call the holiday season here in Barbados Christmas and currently we are in the Crop Over Season (Summer going into Hurricane Season).

I like your suggestions. Yes something local. Usually we create a welcome basket depending on the number of guests and their preferences. It can range from local rum to local confectionery, jams, jellies and maybe small memorabilia. 

I know some tourists like magnets, keychains but we have alot of hand crafted items for the home. Maybe the latter and some locally made cookies?

Are Germans big on Holiday decorations like say a tree or stockings and so forth or should we let them get their own?

Thanks again. You have been great help! Love the various color schemes of your place especially the blue and pink rooms.

[Anonymous]

Thank you @Danielle681 !  There are some Germans who go all out on the decorations, but not nearly as much as their American counterparts. My feeling here is that this family might prefer a non-traditional holiday since they are traveling to the tropics instead of grandma's house. It's also possible that their culture or faith doesn't observe Christmas. 

I wouldn't recommend a tree - many people genuinely dislike that particular tradition whether for environmental reasons or allergies - but you could decorate some parts of the home with strings of colorful LED lights. It's fun and festive for the kids, and if the parents aren't into it they can just turn them off.

[Melanie33]

We have had many German guests over the years and they have all been charming and easygoing.  

Just show them warm hospitality as you would all guests and I am sure they will have a great time.  

[Melanie33]

By the way your place looks amazing.  I love Barbados!

[Danielle681]

Thank you. Wonderful you've been before. May I ask where did you stay in Barbados? I have been to England twice. Cold cold cold especially going through Gatwick and Heathrow but the views were fantastic. Love the double decker buses (is that what you call them?) 

[Danielle681]

Hi Melanie

You couldn't have said it any better! I peeked at your en suite cottage. So dainty and I love love the swinger chair. It looks wonderful and sunny. Thank you so much. 

[Melanie33]

Thanks so much @Danielle681 

@We stayed on the West Coast but also loved the more rugged East.

Hope to return one day.

[Robin4]

@Danielle681 

I would echo @Melanie33  thoughts. You will find Germans have a wonderful sense of humour are very easy to get along with and respectful of your property.

They will not be expecting you to cater for their customs...in fact they may possibly find it gratuitous if you do.

They have come to Barbados to learn about you and get away from home.

You can't judge a nation by a guest, but I have had 9 German guest stays here now and every one of them I would love to see walk up the driveway and into our lives again!

We didn't treat them as ....Germans, Danielle, we treated them as guests!

Cheers......Rob

[Danielle681]

Thanks so much Rob.

Our family cannot wait to host them! 

[Mark116]

Let me agree and say that our experience with German guests has been uniformly wonderful, and I would agree, a sample/basket of cool local products would be a great welcome idea.  

[Danielle681]

Amazing! We usually put together a welcome basket for each guest and tailor make it to suit each guest. Local products are the best! Thank you for this one Mark!

[Ute42]

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@Danielle681 

In order to find out how to make Germans feel comfortable in a foreign country, pls watch this video:

Fawlty Towers - The Germans

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7xnNhzgcWTk

@Robin4 

[Ann489]

@Ute42    John Cleese is brilliant! One of my all-time favorites!