Home For The Holidays – Part 2: Staging and Showing Tips During the Holidays
Welcome back to Home for the Holidays – a 3-part blog series that debunks the idea that there’s no winter market in real estate.
(If you missed Part 1 where we talked about Why Selling During the Holidays Can Be Smart + What To Avoid, you can CLICK HERE!)
In Part 2, we’re talking about all things staging and showings during the holidays.
While the holidays are the most wonderful time of the year, if you’re selling your home during November or December, all of the festive touches that you’re used to can feel like a double-edged sword.
On one hand you want to decorate your home to make it feel warm and inviting, but on the other hand, you don’t want to turn it into a full-on winter wonderland that distracts buyers.
It can feel confusing and stressful as a seller, because of course you want to enjoy the holiday season, but you also have one main goal in mind: sell your home!
So how can you do BOTH? In this blog post, I’m sharing my top tips for staging and showing your home during the holidays so that buyers feel welcomed, cozy, and ready to imagine themselves living there.
6 Staging and Showing Tips for Sellers During the Holidays
Keep Holiday Décor Neutral and Inviting
Starting with the most obvious thing that comes to mind when thinking about the holidays – your home decor.
It can be tempting to go all out with holiday decorations, but when it comes to selling your home, less is more. You want your home to feel festive and seasonal, but you don’t want buyers to be distracted by a giant inflatable Santa in the yard. 🎅🏼
Here’s a few tips when decorating your home for the holidays when you know that it’ll be shown to potential buyers:
Entryway accents – a small wreath, seasonal garland, or a few simple candles can create warmth right as buyers walk in 🎄
Dining spaces – a modest centerpiece or seasonal napkins can hint at holiday cheer without going overboard 🍽️
Subtle colors – stick to warm neutrals or traditional seasonal colors like gold, bronze, or deep red and avoid anything that’s overly flashy ✨
The goal is to let buyers imagine their holiday traditions in your home, not get distracted by yours.
Highlight Cozy Features
Speaking of helping buyers imagine their life in your home, the holidays are the perfect time to showcase the coziness of your property. When selling your home during the holidays, think about what makes your house feel like a place people want to gather and relax.
For example, in the living room you can decorate the mantle with subtle seasonal touches like a garland, candles, or a simple centerpiece to draw attention to the space and make it feel inviting.
Additionally, layer in blankets, throw pillows, and rugs to make the space feel soft and inviting. And maybe most importantly, swap harsh overhead lights for softer lamps or string lights to create ambiance! 🕯️
Ultimately, it’s important to remember that cozy doesn’t mean cluttered. Every part of your home should feel intentionally decorated and welcoming to potential buyers.
Show Off “Signs of Life”
Sometimes homes can feel too staged to the point where buyers can’t imagine what it’s like to actually live there, but on the other end of the spectrum, there are homes that can feel too “lived-in.”
You want to create a happy medium so that your home isn't messy, but it does show off signs of life to potential buyers.
During the holidays this can look like adding a few subtle touches that can highlight your home without distracting from the space, such as:
Fresh flowers or greenery – adding a small vase of seasonal flowers on the kitchen counter or dining table adds a pop of color and energy 💐
Seasonal accents – leaves, pinecones, or a simple arrangement can nod to the season without overwhelming buyers 🍂
Everyday touches – a neatly folded throw, a tray with mugs and hot cocoa ingredients, or a few seasonal cookbooks can make your home feel inviting and lived-in ☕️
Overall, the key with staging your home during the holidays is moderation – you want buyers to see themselves living there, not feel like they’ve walked into a holiday display!
Showcase Holiday Potential, Not Personalization
The last thing I want to touch on with staging and decorating specifically, is personalization. This is a good rule of thumb to follow for any time of year, but it’s really important to remember during the holidays when it’s tempting to add personalization to your home.
When selling your home, it’s important that your home feels like a blank canvas for buyers and something as simple as a photo gallery of family photos can cause distraction.
It’s for this reason that I always recommend removing family photos from your home during showings, avoid overly personal decor (like stocking with names during the holidays), and avoid displaying personal collections or memorabilia, so buyers can more easily envision themselves living in the space.
Be Strategic With Showings
Now let’s talk about showings during the holidays. It’s no secret that between work, family obligations, and festive events, it’s a busy time of year.
As a seller, it can feel impossible to keep your home ready for buyers at a moment’s notice, but as a real estate agent I can tell you it IS possible to make showings during the holiday season work.
Here are my top tips to make it manageable:
Flexible scheduling – the key here is going to be working with your agent to find showing windows that are convenient for both you and potential buyers. Speaking from experience, early evenings or weekends often work best during the holiday season! 🗓️
Keep entryways clear – make it easy for buyers to walk in and out without bumping into holiday décor, luggage, or boots 🚪
Prep ahead – if you know a showing is coming, tidy up a few hours beforehand. Even 15-30 minutes of quick straightening can make a big difference 🧹
Safety and Comfort
Another important showing tip that can often be forgotten during the winter months specifically are practical concerns that could potentially affect a buyer’s experience.
During the colder months, especially for homes here in Montana, there’s a few key things to keep in mind:
Walkways – keep sidewalks, driveways, and entryways clear of snow and ice. A slippery path is the first thing buyers notice and it’s not a good impression ❄️
Temperature – make sure your home is comfortably warm so that it feels inviting for those touring 🌡️
Lighting – with early sunsets, ensure your home is well-lit both inside and outside. Though most agents would never schedule showings in the evening when it’s pitch black dark, the sun sets fast and a showing that starts at 4pm could easily end at dusk and a well-lit home will help keep it feeling warm, inviting, and safe, while highlighting its best features even as daylight fades. 💡
Overall, selling your home during the holidays doesn’t have to be stressful. In fact, if done right, it can be a strategic move that highlights the warmth and comfort of your space while appealing to motivated buyers!
By following these staging and showing tips, your home can feel like a welcoming holiday retreat that buyers can’t wait to call their own.
So, if you’re local to Billings, MT and are thinking about listing your home for sale before the end of the year, I can help you determine if it’s the right move for your home and guide you through every step of the process!
From pricing to staging to scheduling showings, a well-planned approach can make the holiday season work for you, not against you. CLICK HERE to connect and I’ll help you get started on the right foot!