Staging Your Home for Sale During the Holidays

Last Updated on October 27, 2024 by Vannessa Rhoades, Three Bears Home Staging

One of the most exciting decorating seasons is finally upon us! Most homes look their best (and certainly their most festive) during the holidays, but if you’re staging your home to sell, your decorating goals should be a bit different. You want to convince buyers to buy your home–not spend a morning opening presents with you. Because early nightfall, cold wet weather, and holiday distractions typically make December a slow time for real estate sales, paying special attention to how you stage your home during the holidays can make a big difference in convincing potential buyers to get out and take a look!

Do People Sell Homes Around the Holidays?

Yes! While the holiday season may not be the peak time for real estate transactions, plenty of homes still sell in November and December. In fact, buyers looking at homes during this period are often more motivated, as they may have specific deadlines, such as job relocations or upcoming school terms. The season can work to your advantage because fewer homes on the market mean less competition, allowing your property to stand out. With thoughtful staging that highlights your home’s warmth and appeal, you can attract serious buyers even during the festive season.

Should You Decorate for the Holidays When Selling a House?

Decorating for the holidays while your home is on the market can be a balancing act. You want to create a welcoming and festive atmosphere, but it’s essential to keep decorations tasteful and minimal. Overdoing it with holiday decor can overwhelm the space and prevent buyers from seeing the home’s best features. Instead, subtle seasonal touches can make your home feel cozy and inviting without distracting buyers. When done right, holiday decor can help buyers envision themselves celebrating future holidays in the space, adding a unique emotional appeal that’s harder to achieve during other times of the year.

A warm fireplace and cozy bedding like this are great touches for a winter home sale — without the need for theme-specific holiday decor.

Holiday Home Staging Tips: Start by Decluttering, Cleaning, and Staging

Adding holiday decor on top of an already messy house is a recipe for disaster when selling. First, pack away the excess, scrub, and dust, rearrange furniture if necessary. Then you can think about adding decor.

Home Staging for the Holidays: Think Seasonal, Not Holiday-Specific

Pack away nativity scenes and menorahs for this year, as overtly religious decor may be distracting for some buyers. Warm wintry touches like candle arrangements, pinecones, and cozy throw pillows and blankets are a great way to nod to the season instead. Hopefully, by next year you’ll be celebrating the holidays in your new home, complete with any religious/holiday decor you choose!

Special note: Keep ANYTHING holiday-related or even seasonal out of your listing photos. Leaving holiday decor in your photos is a giant time stamp that lets buyers know exactly how long your house has been on the market. If you want to put out some decor, do it after photos!

This is a good example of seasonal decor that’s not necessarily holiday-specific. It falls more into the “seasonal” category, and in-person buyers will likely love the curb appeal! HOWEVER…it’s still smart to wait until after listing photos are taken to erect a display like this. Why? Imagine the market slows, and potential buyers see a listing photo that looks like in February. They’ll know intuitively how long the home has been sitting on the market…which gives them an advantage when making an offer.

Light the Way…Gently

Adding a few strings of white lights to highlight your home’s architectural features is alright, but leave it at that. Avoid inflatable penguins and plastic Santa/reindeer displays in the yard.

Use a Neutral Palette When Staging Your Home During the Holidays

If you absolutely must have holiday decor, add a few touches in a neutral palette (and again, add it after your photos have been taken). Simple ornaments in gold and silver are more neutral than bright red and green decor.

Use Holiday Home Staging to Set the Mood

When staging your home for sale during the holidays, romance your buyers by making them feel at home! Invite them to stay with a cozily heated atmosphere (or if you’re in Texas like me, with the A/C turned to an appropriate level), soft classical or light jazz playing throughout the home at low volume, and a small plate of homemade holiday treats (if you’re not worried about crumbs or stains). Note: Don’t go overboard on artificially scented potpourri or candles. Research shows that simple, natural scents, like pine or cinnamon, can be more effective at enticing buyers. Take a look at our recipes for holiday-inspired simmering potpourri for an inexpensive way to add a gentle, natural fragrance.

Less Is More When Home Staging for the Holidays

Tone it down while your home is on the market, especially for the photos! Remember: your listing photos may stay on the Internet long after the holidays are over, making it easy for buyers to know exactly how long your home has been sitting on the market.

Need Holiday Home Staging Assistance? We’re Here to Help!

Selling a home during the holiday season requires some thoughtful staging choices. If you need expert assistance in holiday home staging, explore the services we offer for homeowners nationwide. From simple decor ideas to full staging solutions, we’re here to help you create a welcoming, buyer-friendly home that shines during the holiday season and beyond!

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