Festive Holiday Let Tips to Delight Your Christmas Guests

Christmas and New Year holiday lets are perfect for guests wanting to escape the usual festive routine, whether it’s a family affair, a romantic winter escape, a reunion, or simply a relaxing break away from life’s usual responsibilities. So how do you make your holiday let feel extra special for your Christmas guests?

There’s a strong commercial reason for making a little bit more effort at Christmas. A few thoughtful touches, some additional creature comforts and a warm welcome make people feel cared for and well looked after.

The extra touches we’ll talk about in this article aren’t just about being hospitable. They’re relatively low-cost ways to improve the guest experience, encourage positive reviews, attract repeat bookings and potentially boost your holiday let revenue over the festive break.

Are more people taking Christmas breaks in the UK?

We’ve found evidence showing growing interest in UK festive breaks. VisitEngland’s December 2025 Christmas Trip Tracker survey revealed that 11.6 million Brits were planning an overnight holiday trip in the UK over the Christmas and New Year period, from 20 December 2025 to 3 January 2026. That’s an increase of 32% on the 8.8 million who planned a festive domestic break the previous year.

Although this figure represents planned overnight trips in general, rather than specific holiday let bookings, it’s an encouraging indication of demand.

A previous VisitEngland Christmas Trip Tracker adds more insight. In 2024, 15% of people planning an overnight break in England said they expected to stay in a rented house or cottage.

Where are the most popular UK destinations for Christmas breaks?

Coastal destinations remain attractive, but there’s also evidence that people are increasingly looking for rural retreats and countryside escapes.

Airbnb’s winter 2025/26 research identified Tenby in Pembrokeshire, Northumberland and the New Forest among its trending destinations, alongside Shropshire, North Yorkshire and the Lake District.

Interestingly, Airbnb reported a 37% year-on-year increase in bookings for properties with four or more bedrooms, comparing winter 2024/25 with the previous winter. Its research also found that 36% of winter staycation searches were made by groups and 31% by families.

This suggests that larger properties have an opportunity to attract families and groups wanting to celebrate together in a homely, comfy, private setting.

How to make your holiday let more attractive to Christmas guests
Small, thoughtful details count, making guests feel well looked after and extra festive. The trick is to create a welcoming ambience without spending a fortune or leaving yourself with a mountain of decorations to pack away in January.

Make sure the property is warm when guests arrive

The most important festive welcome is a warm one. It’s not a good start arriving at a freezing holiday cottage after a long winter journey. If possible, arrange for the heating to come on shortly before your guests are due to arrive.

Check the heating is working properly, no radiators are obstructed, and guests know how to work the system. If there’s a wood burner or open fire, make sure it’s ready to use, with clear instructions, a fire guard and a decent supply of suitable fuel.

Extra heaters can be tricky. Government fire-safety guidance recommends avoiding portable heaters wherever possible. If one is necessary, follow the manufacturer’s instructions, ideally choose a model with an automatic cut-off switch, and keep it well away from anything combustible. Radiant bar fires and LPG heaters should be avoided.

It’s also important to avoid providing real candles and tea lights for guests because of the fire risk. Battery-operated LED lights are much safer and can be reused year after year.

If you have a garden or patio, check the outdoor lighting works or add some extras, maybe sparkly LED lights to make it more festive.

Add a little Christmas fragrance

A subtle seasonal fragrance makes a gorgeous first impression. Scents like cinnamon, orange, vanilla and pine provide subtle festive spice. You might choose a Christmas-themed room spray or a discreet reed diffuser. Or simply fill a pretty ceramic or glass container with cloves, add water, then microwave it for a lovely, long-lasting, completely natural fragrance.

Display a poinsettia

If any plant signals Christmas, it’s the poinsettia, a reliable way to create instant festive colour. Its vivid red and fresh green leaves look particularly attractive against neutral interiors, and the plant doesn’t take up much space. Simply pop it into a decorative pot in a suitable spot.

One important thing: if your guests are bringing a pet, consider an artificial poinsettia. Poinsettias can cause problems if eaten by cats and dogs, so it’s best not to take chances.

Leave a small Christmas gift

At Christmas, the thought really does count. A little welcome gift makes people feel appreciated before they’ve even unpacked. Maybe a small box of good-quality chocolates, a pot of local honey or home made jam, or a bottle of wine or non-alcoholic sparkling drink. A handwritten Christmas card is another nice touch.

Add subtle Christmas decorations

You don’t need to go overboard with flashing lights or a fully laden living tree. A small artificial Christmas tree with a few tasteful baubles will do the trick. Maybe a simple wreath on the door. If you want to do more, you could invest in a festive cushion or two, a table decoration or even Christmassy bedding.

There are plenty more low-cost ways to make guests feel at home. Everything from Christmassy tea towels, festive mugs and napkins to an actual hot chocolate station with sachets and marshmallows.

Breakfast treats are popular, perhaps a small selection of posh tea, coffee and hot chocolate. You might want to provide a list of family-friendly Christmas films for people to stream on the TV. How about a list of nearby Christmas markets, local festive events, winter walks, and any shops, pubs and restaurants open over Christmas and New Year?

Provide warm blankets and throws

This is one of the easiest ways to make a holiday let feel cosy. Stack a few soft fleece blankets or knitted throws in a basket in the living room for guests to help themselves. Add an extra blanket or throw to each bed. Include a couple of soft, washable blankets for pets to snuggle into, too.

There’s no need to be garish. Choose washable fabrics in rich or subtle colours that complement your existing furnishings. They’ll look attractive, make the property feel more inviting and provide a practical extra layer of warmth on chilly winter nights.

Give guests something to do

Not everyone wants to spend Christmas glued to the television or scrolling on their phone. A pile of traditional board games might be a nice touch, or a set of playing cards, perhaps even a couple of jigsaws. If their stay extends to New Year, you could provide funky party hats and party poppers.

Don’t forget the practical side

People might be more likely to cook hearty hot meals at this time of year. Check there’s enough crockery, cutlery, glasses, cooking equipment and serving dishes for the number of guests you’re expecting. And make sure the oven and microwave are working properly.

Because the shops are usually closed, it’s extra-important to ensure you have enough toilet roll, soap, washing-up liquid and bin bags. Not particularly festive, but running out of them on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day itself or Boxing Day is unlikely to delight anyone!

It also helps to leave emergency contact details for guests to use, just in case anything goes wrong with the heating, hot water or electricity.

How to promote your holiday let for Christmas bookings

Adding seasonal photographs to your holiday let listings will help people visualise the magic and make your property stand out from similar accommodation. A photo of the living area in the evening, with the lights sparkling, lamps on and perhaps a fire, really sells the feeling of a cosy Christmas getaway. It can be even more atmospheric than daytime images.

Always use genuine photographs of the property decorated as it actually will be, so guests know exactly what to expect when they arrive. Make it clear in the listing description that the decorations are seasonal and will only be there for Christmas and New Year.

Keep your standard photographs rather than replacing all your regular images. Add the festive photographs as extras or move them towards the top of your gallery during the festive booking season.

The best Christmas holiday lets attract great reviews

A small amount of extra time and money can make your holiday let feel so much more welcoming through the festive season. When guests feel appreciated and well looked after, they’re more likely to leave positive reviews, recommend the property to other people, and come back for another stay.

Sykes Holiday Cottages’ 2024 Holiday Letting Outlook Report identified Christmas week as a particularly strong period for short-term rental revenue, with an 87% increase compared with the preceding week. One more reason to make the most of the festive booking opportunity.

After all, Christmas is about making people feel at home, even when they’re away from home!

FAQs

How early should holiday let owners prepare their property for Christmas?

Ideally, get your holiday let ready a few weeks before the festive booking period. Check heating, appliances and essential supplies, arrange decorations and welcome gifts, and update your listing photographs before guests start making their Christmas plans.

What do Christmas guests look for in a holiday cottage?

Guests often look for comfortable accommodation, reliable heating, well-equipped kitchens, attractive surroundings, and enough space for family or friends.

Can holiday let owners charge more for Christmas bookings?

Christmas and New Year can be high-demand periods, but it’s wise to take local competition, the property’s size, your facilities and comparable seasonal prices into account when setting your festive rates. A higher price isn’t guaranteed to generate more revenue, especially when it makes your property less competitive.