Having a staycation that feels like more
Spending the festive season at home can be far more rewarding than going away on a holiday at this time of the year. For a start, you’ll avoid the crowds on the roads and at the airports during this popular travel time. And contrary to popular belief, having a memorable family holiday does not necessarily mean leaving your home. Jawitz Properties has put together your ultimate real guide to having a memorable family holiday at home. The secrets to success include setting the perfect holiday ambiance, hosting gatherings of family and friends, creating activity zones and adding personal touches.
Setting the perfect holiday ambiance
There are many quick décor touches that say “festive season” loud and clear. Put some fairy lights up in the garden and put up the Christmas tree and decorate it with a colour scheme for a start. Use a colour palette that feels both festive and modern – some great examples include gold, white and natural wood or coral, red and greenery.
Another great idea is to create a signature festive focal point. This could be your Christmas tree, a decorated mantel or a dining table centrepiece. Just as important as the focal point are the small festive touches you add throughout your home. Think little sprigs of greenery tied to napkins, mini wreaths on chair backs or festive artwork placed in picture frames – the latter being a great festive season project to keep your kids busy.
Create a playlist and turn it into a real family tradition. From soft jazz and acoustic carols to classic favourites, and upbeat summer hits, a family playlist turns ordinary moments at home into extraordinary celebrations.
Hosting gatherings of family and friends
Hosting family and friends this holiday season is all about creating a warm, relaxed atmosphere that makes everyone feel instantly at ease. If the weather allows, embrace the outdoors by setting up shaded seating areas in your garden or outdoor entertainment area and use lanterns or fairy lights to transform your patio into a glowing haven. Light, refreshing food works best in the heat, so think snack platters, chilled salads and jugs of flavoured water or homemade spritzers.
Inside your home, create effortless flow by clearing surfaces and setting up zones for conversation, games and kids’ activities. Try a fun, simple theme to tie everything together and get everyone excited to join in and maybe even dress up to celebrate!
Get a jump on New Year’s resolutions with a simple gratitude tradition! Ask everyone at your gathering to share one thing they’re grateful for this year. It sparks conversation, laughter and sets an uplifting tone for the year ahead.
Creating activity zones
On the quieter staycation days, turn your home into a mini holiday playground by creating bite-sized zones of fun that kids can drift between. Set up a “Messy Masterpiece Studio” outdoors with washable paints, neon chalk, bubble wands and nature treasures for crafting, or let them cool off at a “Splash & Dash Water Lab” with sponge races, spray bottles and buckets. A “Backyard Game Park” adds energy with giant Jenga, beanbag toss or a mini obstacle course, while a cosy “Secret Story Nook” with fairy lights and pillows offers a calm escape.
Bring the magic inside with a pop-up “Tiny Cinema” complete with blankets and popcorn, or keep imaginations buzzing at a rotating “Treasure Quest Station” filled with themed scavenger hunts. Everything is easy to set up, pack away and reinvent throughout the holiday.
Adding personal touches
The magic of a staycation comes from the little personal touches that make your space feel like your holiday haven. Celebrate family memories by displaying family photos from past years by hanging them on a garland with cute clips, or turn them into a DIY advent-style countdown where each photo tells a story.
Another fun personalisation is adding name cards or handwritten menus to each place setting when you’re entertaining guests. Try pairing each guest’s name with a tiny personalised note, a favourite snack, a joke that resonates with them, or a quirky mini prop that reflects their personality. You could also create custom “conversation starter” cards at each spot with random, fun or insightful topics. It’s a great way to get everyone thinking, laughing, and connecting. Here are a few examples:
- If you could have any superpower for a day, what would it be?
- What’s the first thing you’d buy if you won the lottery?
- What’s one lesson you’ve learned this year that changed you?
Enjoying a memorable holiday and festive season in your home can be both a relaxing break and an opportunity to connect with friends and loved ones you may not get to see often throughout the year. The Jawitz Properties team wishes you a relaxed and restorative holiday season. As always, we’re here to help if you’re looking to buy, sell or rent property.