Vacations, travel, visiting family, friends, or loved ones, a winter getaway, or simply some quiet time alone are all reasons why more and more people are choosing to spend Christmas Eve in an Airbnb rental this holiday season.
No matter the reason, staying in an Airbnb over the holidays can provide a wonderful opportunity to create a comfortable, private, and customized space for Christmas Eve and the season. An Airbnb often has the feel of a “real” home (complete with living room, kitchen, yard, and other features) rather than a sterile hotel. Many also offer special amenities that you can’t use at home, like fire pits, game rooms, hot tubs, or hot tubs.
Airbnb can be a great way to throw a Christmas Eve party and enjoy a magical evening with guests, whether you are looking for a quiet family night at home, a festive gathering with friends, or a romantic getaway with a partner.
So how can you decorate, cook, host, and create a cozy and memorable Christmas Eve at an Airbnb?
This article offers a comprehensive guide to Christmas Eve Airbnb party ideas to help you make the space festive, find activities and food, and celebrate the season away from home.
Decorating Your Airbnb for Christmas Eve
Airbnbs come in many different styles and layouts—rustic cabins, downtown apartments, lake houses, beach condos, urban lofts, sprawling ranches, and more. No matter what kind of rental home you book, you can make it feel cozy, warm, and inviting for Christmas Eve.
Pack Light, Easy-to-Travel Decorations
Traveling can make it difficult to pack bulky décor items, and you likely won’t have a car to haul lots of extra luggage. Instead, look for items that pack easily and fit in a suitcase or backpack:
Battery-powered string lights
Mini foldable Christmas tree
Small ornaments
A Christmas scented candle or diffuser
Stockings
Garland or ribbon
Christmas cards
Festive tablecloth or runner
Holiday-themed blankets
Gift wrap
Add some holiday magic with a few small details that pack well and make big impact.
Use the Space in the Airbnb
Airbnb rentals often come with their own character (hardwood floors, stone fireplaces, modern shelving, large windows, eclectic furniture). The unique look of each Airbnb can become part of your Christmas Eve decoration.
Hang string lights around staircases or window frames
Hang stockings on the fireplace mantel or TV console
Place your mini tree on a coffee table or side table
Spread ornaments along open shelving
Drape a festive blanket across the couch
With just a few touches, you can make the entire space feel like Christmas.
Plan a Christmas Eve Dinner or Holiday Feast
The best part of an Airbnb is having access to a kitchen. It makes preparing a Christmas Eve dinner not only possible but fun. You don’t need a traditional full-scale feast, but a mix of easy holiday foods will add to the comfort and cozy atmosphere.
Easy Christmas Eve Dinner Ideas
Baked pasta or lasagna
Rotisserie chicken from the grocery store
Pre-seasoned holiday ham or turkey breast
Mashed potatoes
Store-bought rolls
A cheese and charcuterie board
Bagged salad or simple greens
Christmas cookies or a bakery dessert
Hot cocoa or mulled wine
This type of menu is low-stress but still festive and filling.
Christmas Eve Cooking Activities
Food prep itself can be an activity to include:
Decorate sugar cookies
Build a gingerbread house
Make homemade hot chocolate
Bake a simple cake or brownies
Prepare a holiday snack board
Kids love to help with cookie decorating or setting up a hot chocolate bar.
Add Cozy Details to the Airbnb
Make it even more cozy and homey with some comforting sensory details.
Set the Mood with Lighting
Christmas Eve is the time for warmth and comfort. Turn off harsh overhead lights and replace with:
String lights
Table lamps
Battery-powered candles
Real candles (if allowed in Airbnb)
Soft, warm lighting will make it feel like a winter wonderland.
Play Christmas Music
Create a playlist of holiday classics, soft jazz, instrumental carols, or your favorite festive music. The sound sets the tone and instantly makes the room feel more alive and joyful.
Add Holiday Scents
Introduce some holiday scents with safe, guest-friendly options such as:
Essential oil diffusers (pine, cinnamon, orange, vanilla)
Room sprays
Non-scented candles (use while baking or roasting aromas)
Open bowls of citrus and cloves
A familiar holiday scent can help make any new or strange space feel like home.
Activities to Plan for Christmas Eve
A great Christmas party has a balance of relaxing, entertaining, and enjoying time together. Airbnbs are a great space to host activities, as they provide the space to move around, privacy, and flexibility.
1. Christmas Movie Marathon
Rent a laptop or plug into the Airbnb TV to stream some classics. Favorites include:
Home Alone
The Grinch
The Polar Express
Elf
Miracle on 34th Street
A Christmas Carol
Add blankets and snacks for a cozy night in.
2. Host a Gift Exchange
This can be as simple or fancy as you like—and small gifts travel well. Gift exchange ideas include:
Local treats
Souvenirs
Journals
Bath products
Candles
Mini ornaments
Books
Handmade notes
Fun gift exchange styles include Secret Santa, White Elephant, or “one gift each” simple style.
3. Christmas Crafts
Kids and adults both love crafting, especially for Christmas:
Ornament decorating
Gingerbread house building
Christmas card making
Coloring books
DIY photo booth props
Crafting is a fun way to spend time together and make keepsakes.
4. Game Night
Pack small, easy to travel games or use games from the Airbnb if available:
Card games
Uno
Scrabble
Christmas trivia
Pictionary
Charades
Holiday-themed scavenger hunt
Games are one of the easiest and most fun ways to fill up a holiday evening.
5. Take Christmas Photos
Airbnbs offer fun new backdrops, different from home and perfect for holiday photos.
Photo ideas include:
By the Airbnb Christmas tree or decorations
In matching pajamas
Outside (snow, lights, or scenery)
Kitchen cooking scenes
Cozy couch or fireplace pictures
Photos will help preserve the memories of celebrating Christmas in a new place.
Christmas Eve Airbnb Ideas for Couples
Couples can enjoy a romantic Christmas Eve getaway in an Airbnb. Make it intimate and memorable with:
A dinner you cook together
A cozy fireplace date
Matching holiday pajamas
Rose petals or string lights décor
Handwritten love notes
A holiday-themed photo session
A winter walk or outdoor stargazing
Add in a game of questions or reflection to deepen the connection.
Christmas Eve Airbnb Party Ideas for Families
Traveling with kids is no reason to miss out on the magic of Christmas. You can create the fun of Christmas by:
Family-Friendly Ideas
Allowing kids to help decorate
Creating a “Christmas Eve surprise bag” full of crafts, treats, and pajamas
Reading classic Christmas stories
Tracking Santa online
Setting up a cookie-and-milk station for Santa
Offering small bedtime gifts (stickers, coloring books, etc.)
Kids will be excited by the experience of celebrating Christmas in a new place.
Christmas Eve Airbnb Party Ideas for Friends
Friends can gather for Christmas Eve in an Airbnb as a festive, cozy, and fun-filled night.
Group-Friendly Ideas
Pajama party theme
Potluck dinner
Holiday cocktail station
Board games and competitions
DIY photo booth
Group movie night
Friendship gift exchange
Friends will create a lively and unforgettable winter retreat in an Airbnb.
Use Unique Features of the Airbnb
Airbnbs can have special features and amenities you don’t normally have at home. Incorporate those into the celebration.
If your Airbnb has:
A fireplace:
Make s’mores, drink hot cocoa, or tell stories around it.
A hot tub:
Soak in the warm water under the stars.
A backyard:
Hang outdoor lights or have a small bonfire if permitted.
A game room:
Host a tournament with pool, foosball, or video games.
A beautiful view:
Arrange a sunset or nighttime photo session.
A balcony or terrace:
Chat late into the night outside, bundled in blankets.
Any of these elements will enhance your experience beyond your home.
Explore the Local Area for Christmas Eve
Being in a new location for Christmas means you can explore it like a local. Check out:
Christmas markets
Holiday light displays
Community events or concerts
Late-night church services
Local bakeries with holiday treats
Scenic winter walks
These local outings add a new sense of adventure and culture to your holiday.
Staying Connected Virtually While Traveling
Traveling or away from family or friends? Don’t forget to stay connected through:
Video calls
Sharing holiday photos throughout the night
Opening gifts together virtually
Reading bedtime stories to kids online
Watching the same Christmas movie at the same time
Online connection will help fill your holiday with fullness and meaning.
Capture Memories of Christmas Eve in Your Airbnb
Photos, journaling, or even short videos will help you remember your Airbnb Christmas Eve party. Capture:
The decorated space
The dinner table setting
Group photos
Quiet moments
Gifts
Candid shots of laughter or coziness
Years later, these images will bring back the heartwarming memories of a unique, unexpected Christmas.
Final Thoughts
Spending Christmas Eve in an Airbnb is a chance to create a comfortable, joyful, and memorable holiday space in a home away from home. Traveling with family, friends, a partner, or even by yourself, an Airbnb rental allows you the freedom to decorate, cook, relax, and celebrate the season in whatever way you choose.
Mixing familiar traditions with new experiences, you can also explore local holiday culture and enjoy a unique sense of fun and charm by staying in a different space for the holidays. The place might not be your home, but the warmth, love, and celebration you create inside will feel like home in all the right ways.
May your Airbnb Christmas Eve be a story to tell and a memory to cherish for years to come. Proof that the spirit of Christmas isn’t a place, but what you create with the people you love, the memories you make, and the joy you choose to share.
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