Christmas is approaching fast and that means you may be starting to think about your plans for the festive period. The holidays are a popular time for people to travel around the UK, while overseas tourists arrive as well to see the lights and sample the celebratory spirit.
This means you can be hopeful of seeing your bed-and-breakfast business booked up throughout much of December. So why not play into that by taking the opportunity to redecorate your rooms to help spread the festive cheer?
After all, looking after your guests in the winter is about more than checking your heating system is working at full capacity and assessing whether you have the right level of bed and breakfast insurance – although both are wise precautions at this time of year. It’s also about making them feel at home and welcomed, creating an atmosphere that’ll bring them back again in the future. Adding a touch of Christmas magic is a great way to do that, and here we’ll explore some ideas as to how you can do so.
Give the bedding an upgrade
The bed is typically the focal point of a room in a B&B so, if you want to foster a Christmassy feeling, there’s no better place to start. Try adding thick sheets with red or green hues to mix cosy winter warmth with happy, festive colours – with bonus points available if you match them with pillows and cushions around the room.
Update your food menu
According to a Save the Children survey, Christmas dinner is the best part of the holiday season, so what better way to honour that feeling than by offering it at your bed and breakfast? Those who are travelling at this time of year might not expect to be able to enjoy a traditional meal while away from home, so it could provide a unique reason for them to stay with you.
Hiring an extra chef for the season to keep up with demand might be a sensible precaution to take if you do pursue a temporarily expanded menu.
Add a touch of magic
Christmas is a magical time for children – and, let’s be honest, the rest of us too – and fairy lights are a great way to bring that magic to your bed and breakfast. There are plenty of ways to decorate with Christmas lights, ranging from loud and splashy to subtle and comforting, so get creative to enhance each room during December.
Some guests may not want the added lighting, however, so we recommend asking them for their preferences when they book to make sure their room is how they envisioned it.
Don’t forget your Christmas tree
No festive decorations are complete without a Christmas tree, so make sure you have one in your reception area. A large one should wow guests as they walk in and you can add plenty of lights or colourful baubles to it to inject a new lease of life into your B&B.
