Small touches in hotel Christmas decor that make big emotional impact

The holiday season is here, and what fun it is to set up hotel holiday decorations. Even if you are trying to be inclusive and not name it Christmas, there are lots of small ways to have that emotionally impactful decor in your hotel this year, for example, by using seasonal scents, warm lighting, and cozy textiles. 

Hotels decorate Christmas in all sorts of merry ways. No matter where you are in the United States, you will want to take this opportunity to show your hotel Christmas or holiday spirit.

You don't have to spend a lot of money on it either. It's all about doing a lot with less. 

Which Scents Indicate Holiday Spirit to You?

You might not think too much about scent when it comes to holiday decor, but it can be a keystone in your holiday memories. Think back to your own holidays with grandparents and cousins. Which scents played a big role in bringing emotion to your holidays? 

It was probably something like apple pies or the scent of pine trees. Why not use these scents to create an emotional impact on your hotel guests as well?

Scents like pine, vanilla, cinnamon, and orange peel will transport your guests to their cherished holiday memories and make them feel happier and more connected to your hotel and its brand. 

Of course, you don't want to go overboard with this. The key here is restraint. 

Don't douse the hallways with these scents, but have them subtly mark the places where your hotel guests would linger. For example, you can use lightly scented candles, aromatherapy diffusers, or pine garlands to get these seasonal scents into the memory banks of your guests. They will definitely appreciate that walk down memory lane. 

How Can Lighting Play a Role in Emotional Christmas Decor? 

Whenever you think of the holidays, you don't think of stark or bright lighting. Warm, cozy lighting is what comes to mind, in the form of fireplaces roaring away in the corner of some family room. 

Well, you can recreate this feeling for your guests as well by using an actual fire if you have one. Or by using warm lighting in the rooms and hallways of your hotel. 

You can have string lights wrapped around banisters, tucked into greenery, or placed inside lanterns, which will all give that cozy, warm sensation of lighting that you are going for. 

Dim the harsh overhead lights as well, especially during the night, which will give your guests a sense of safety and security as they come into your hotel from the harsh winter scene outside. 

What Kind of Subtle Seasonal Music Will Help? 

A lot of hotels have Christmas music blaring throughout the holidays as if that's mandatory for the holidays. Instead of doing that, try a curated seasonal playlist that's thoughtfully picked out by your staff members for the listening pleasure of your guests. 

You can even have your guests pick their favorites and play those for them. 

So many of us have fond memories of Christmas music, having heard them through our entire lives. It's nice to bring that sensation back for your guests. 

Avoid loud or overly repetitive playlists, though. Soft music played in the lobby, or the elevator should be enough. You don't have to drum this music into your guests' heads. 

You can also add holiday music from other cultures to mix things up, so that everyone feels included in the merry-making of the holidays. No person should be left behind in the holidays. 

Which Cozy Textiles Can Bring Warmth and Emotion To Your Hotel Decor?

When you think of Christmas, you probably think about cozying up under a warm, fleecy blanket with your loved ones, watching Christmas movies, and laughing up a storm. Well, your guests probably want to do the same, even though they are visiting your hotel for the holidays. 

Give them the opportunity by having lots of cozy blankets and textiles lying around their hotel room and in the lobby, so no matter where they are, they can feel cozy and safe. 

You can also add more Christmas decor impact by checking out the Christmas decoration company American Christmas. 

Frequently Asked Questions

When Should Hotels Decorate for Christmas?

You have probably noticed that people start decorating for Christmas and the holidays earlier and earlier. 

Sometimes, you will start seeing decorations right after Halloween. Is that too early? Or should you wait until Thanksgiving to start decorating for Christmas?

There's no hard and fast rule for this. You can start decorating for Christmas when you desire. But the best time would be mid- to late November or around the first week of December. 

This way, you can have other decorations up for Halloween and Thanksgiving, and then take them down to decorate for Christmas and the holidays. It gives every holiday its time to shine. 

If decorating earlier gives you and your guests a boost of happiness, and you feel like it's what you've been doing for years, so that it's tradition, then why stop? Let your heart soar and decorate as you desire. 

Should You Say Christmas Holidays or Just the Holiday Season?

As America becomes more multicultural, you will realize that there are lots of people who don't actually celebrate Christmas as it is, but some other form of holiday. To be inclusive, it's generally acceptable to say Holiday Season instead of Christmas Season. 

Hotel Christmas Decorations for the Win

There are so many ways to decorate your hotel for the upcoming holidays. Make sure to follow our hotel Christmas decorating tips above, so you can keep things subtle, inexpensive, and tasteful. 

No one likes a hotel decoration team that goes overboard with the decorations, making it look like someone threw up tinsel all over the banisters and furniture. Use scents, lighting, and textiles to create a warm, cozy holiday atmosphere. 

Check out related articles on our website for more on this or related subjects, so you can keep learning. 

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