How Do I Get My Airbnb Listing Ready For The Holidays?

It's that time of year again when the weather turns cooler and the days grow shorter. As individuals, couples and families enter the holiday season and the travel that goes with it, you should be revisiting your vacation rental and what you can do to capitalize on holiday travel plans. 

 

 

The holidays are a time when the regular routine often gets thrown out the window for family and friend celebrations and special events. Be sure you make your personal plans early so you can decide how those plans will affect your rental schedule. If you plan on hosting friends or family during the holidays at your rental, block out those dates now. If you yourself will be away, be sure to either arrange for someone else to manage your rental or close it down for the days you'll be gone. 

 

 

For some homeowners, the winter season is the slow time of year. Some folks choose to close down and winterize their properties all together or take a break to perform routine maintenance and updates during this time. If you, however, are still open to guests during this time, consider reducing your Airbnb listing rate or running some specials to attract potential customers. 

For others, especially those located near ski resorts and other outdoor winter wonderlands, the winter may bring many more customers. Be sure to evaluate your competitors' rates and keep your rates in the same range to maximize bookings. 

 

 

Be sure to pull out your heavy winter blankets, seasonal placements, holiday knick-knacks, and fall-scented candles. Clean out your fireplace and get it ready for cozy evenings. You may even want to put up a Christmas tree and stockings in late December for some guests. 

However you choose to decorate, be sure to take some updated pictures and post them on your Airbnb listing so you can paint a picture of a perfect fall, winter or holiday vacation for your potential customers. 

 

 

If you don't already have some winter and recreational items, it may be worth it to invest in some before the holiday season. Guests always love free entertainment at their rental homes. If you have a great sledding hill nearby, be sure to have some sleds, tubes or even skis available. Buy some handy items like snow shovels and extra blankets so your guests can manage to stay warm and comfortable. 

Outdoor amenities like a nearby hot tub or a fire pit can be attractive as well, as long as it's not too cold in your area. 

 

 

Check out other holiday events in your area and co-advertise with them. See if you can obtain discounted tickets to a winter performance or coupons to a breakfast with Santa event. Advertise all the things your guests may be able to do in the area to celebrate the holidays and spend time with family and friends. 

In addition, ask if you can provide a link to your vacation rental information on their web site or printed materials, perhaps in a section that mentions local lodging options. 


The holidays are a great money-making time for just about any business today. It's no different for vacation rental owners. Just take some time to step back and think about how you can make your rental more appealing to those customers looking for a winter getaway or someplace different to spend the holidays. If you do so, you'll give guests a special place to make some holiday memories as well as increase your bookings.