The holiday season is a golden window for vacation rentals. Families want to get away together, host meals, and relax in a warm space. If you prepare correctly, your property can stand out, turning bookings into rave reviews. This guide walks you through what hosts should do to prep their rentals for Thanksgiving and the weeks that follow.
1. Start With Maintenance and Safety
Before decorations go up or pans hit the oven, make sure everything works. Check the HVAC or heating system, test smoke and CO detectors, and inspect plumbing for leaks or weak spots. Replace bulbs, tighten loose handles, and repair cracked tiles.
Given holiday cooking, the oven and stovetop should be spotless and fully functional. Guests expect a smooth experience in a holiday rental, not to deal with a broken appliance.
Check locks, doorbells, garage openers, and window mechanisms. If snow or ice is common, ensure gutters are clear, walkways are safe, and maybe even provide a snow shovel or ice melt. A maintenance check now reduces guest complaints later.
2. Stock Your Kitchen for Multiple Guests
Thanksgiving is about feasting. Guests are likely to want to cook—turkey, sides, dessert. Make sure your kitchen is not just “rental-ready,” but “holiday-ready.”
Include a roasting pan (or two), meat thermometer, large pots, baking dishes, pie pans, and serving platters. Lay out serving spoons, ladles, a carving knife, and trivet plates. If you can, leave a small set of disposable aluminum pans or a backup roasting tin.
Stock basic consumables: oil, salt, pepper, sugar, and a few spices. Provide dish soap, sponges, trash bags, and extra paper towels. It’s thoughtful and reduces friction for guests.
Include instructions for any special appliances. That prevents confusion and reduces support requests during their stay.
3. Decorate Tactfully (Without Going Overboard)
Holiday decor helps guests feel like they’re stepping into a festive space, not just a generic rental. But overdoing it can feel kitschy or impersonal.
Choose neutral decorations: a seasonal wreath, a few candles or string lights, a tasteful centerpiece for the dining table. Stick to one theme. If your property has a fireplace or mantel, consider garlands, greenery, or small seasonal accents.
Don’t forget small touches in bedrooms and bathrooms—perhaps a decorative hand towel or a seasonal soap aroma. Make sure decor is clean, safe, and well-fixed so nothing is fragile or dangerous with children.
4. Offer a Welcome Basket and Holiday Extras
A welcome basket goes a long way in making guests feel valued. For holiday stays, you can take it further. Include seasonal treats: cookies, spice mixes, cider, or chocolates. A printed note of “Happy Thanksgiving / Happy Holidays” adds warmth.
Offer extras that are easy but meaningful: a deck of cards, board games, holiday-themed puzzles, or a small selection of books. These are especially appreciated if guests spend time indoors together.
Holiday stays often include longer check-outs or travel delays. Consider leaving snacks (nuts, granola bars, bottled water), so guests aren’t scrambling for food late on departure day.
5. Plan Your Communication and Guest Expectations
Good hosts let guests in on what’s there and what’s not. Before their stay, send a special “holiday guide” message: what you supply (pots, decor, extra blankets), what guests should bring (maybe extra serving dishes, specialized spices), and local holiday hours (grocery stores, pharmacies).
Invite them to ask questions or request extras. Some guests might have big cooking plans, while others want to dine out. Update your welcome book or printed manual to include holiday-specific tips: oven quirks, how to operate fireplaces, heater instructions, extra trash procedures, or where to dispose of perishables after guests leave.
6. Offer Optional Add-ons or Services
Holiday guests often appreciate comfort touches. You might offer:
- Grocery pre-stock (turkey, sides) arranged ahead
- A holiday dinner kit (pre-made pies, side dishes)
- Fireplace wood or pellet delivery
- Extra cleaning service mid-stay
- Child-friendly gear (high chair, kids’ table settings)
Be clear in your listing what’s extra and what’s included. Guests will pay for convenience when it saves them anxiety.
7. Pay Extra Attention to Linens, Bedding, and Comfort
During colder months, layers matter. Provide extra blankets, throws, flannel sheets, or heavier comforters. Make sure pillows are in good shape.
In case someone arrives cold or late, keep a basket of blankets and maybe slippers in the living areas. In bathrooms, supply plush towels and toiletries. No one wants to feel under-equipped in holiday mode.
8. Refresh Your Listing and Marketing Strategy
Your holiday readiness should show in your listing. Update photos to show cozy, decorated spaces. Use keywords like “Thanksgiving ready,” “holiday stay,” or “festive retreat” in your title or description.
Highlight what differentiates you: big dining table, open layout for gatherings, extra seating, child amenities, or holiday extras. Promote extended stays (Thursday to Sunday) rather than just single nights.
Run a holiday promo or package: after-Thanksgiving stays, winter week discounts, or bundled add-ons. Encourage direct bookings by offering perks like waived service fees or bonus amenities when guests book through your own site on Houfy.
Bring Holiday Travelers Straight to Your Door With Houfy
The holiday season is when thoughtful hosts shine. When guests browse for a holiday rental or Thanksgiving rental, they’re looking for more than a place to sleep. They want assurance: a kitchen that can handle turkey, extra blankets, decorations that feel warm, clear communication, and no last-minute surprises.
When you list on Houfy, you give guests those assurances directly. No middleman, no extra fees, and direct lines of communication. When your rental is fully prepped, you transform guests’ expectations into reality. And on Houfy, you get to show that preparation upfront.