51. Holiday Décor in Airbnbs: Yes or No?

Want to learn how to launch an Airbnb? Join the Launch Party and get 20% off of all products! Promocode: LAUNCHPARTY Link: Airbnb Roadmap Accelerator Course Link to the Airbnb Roadmap Website Episode Summary Hey friends, it’s Brittany Wenninger with Front Porch Realty powered by Real Broker LLC, and in today’s episode I’m breaking down a question I get every single November: Should you decorate your Airbnb for the holidays? The short answer is probably not, and I explain exactly why. From inclusivity to guest expectations to season-locked photos, I share my personal take on why holiday décor can actually hurt you more than help. I also chat about the itch to add Christmas magic, why neutral spaces serve everyone better, and how winter photos still matter and how I faked mine with AI. Then, to wrap things up, I shift into a Thanksgiving gratitude moment. Whether you’re a seasoned host or launching your first short-term rental soon, I want you to fully recognize how far you’ve come, the memories you’re creating for others, and the ripple effect your STR has on cleaners, contractors, families and guests who choose your space. And of course, a big shoutout to my incredible marketing girl for helping me bring big projects to life. Key Takeaways Holiday décor can unintentionally exclude guests who don’t celebrate the same holidays. • Over-the-top seasonal decorating creates guest expectations you may not want to manage every year. • Holiday-themed photos can season lock your listing and confuse guests outside that timeframe. • Winter photos still matter, especially in Wisconsin, and you can update them using simple AI edits. • Your STR business impacts cleaners, contractors, guests and families more than you realize. • Thanksgiving is the perfect time to acknowledge your wins, both big and small, as a host or future host. Why Listen to This Episode? If you're tempted to put up a Christmas tree in your Airbnb, or already have it in your Amazon cart, this episode will help you think through the long-term impact on guest experience, ROI and inclusivity. Plus, you’ll walk away feeling inspired, grounded and grateful for everything you've built in your short-term rental journey. Mentioned in the Episode How AI tools (like ChatGPT) can transform your exterior photos into realistic winter scenes • My current renovation updates and December 1st launch timeline • A behind-the-scenes mural painting update • Partner and wedding trip prep with Kyle and Anna • My marketing girl who is truly crushing a huge upcoming project Let’s Connect Thinking about holiday decorating in your Airbnb or avoiding it altogether? DM me on Instagram at @theairbnbroadmap with your questions or share what you’re doing this year! I’d love to cheer you on and help you out. Work With Me Ready to learn how to find, launch and run a profitable Airbnb with confidence? Check out the Airbnb Roadmap Accelerator Course and save $50 with code 5STARPODCAST. 👉 https://brittany-wenninger.mykajabi.com Chapters 00:00 Whispering intro and the audio fail 01:30 Renovation weekend and partner update 03:20 Seeing the project come together 04:35 Holiday season and the decorating question 05:10 Why I personally avoid Christmas décor 07:00 Inclusivity and guest comfort 08:45 Reviews and setting expectations 09:30 Season-locking your photos 11:45 Winter photos and using AI 14:30 My official take: skip the decorations 15:40 Cozy touches but only if not photographed 15:55 Shifting into Thanksgiving 16:40 Why hosting is something to be proud of 18:02 What you’re providing to guests 19:00 The ripple effect for cleaners, contractors and families 20:30 Gratitude for my marketing girl 21:30 Wrap up and final thoughts Subscribe and Share If this episode helped you rethink your holiday hosting plans, share it with a fellow Airbnb host and hit follow so you never miss a new episode of The Airbnb Roadmap.