Before her arrival, the mom asked the host if he could decorate the house for the holiday to make the experience more festive. Picture: Freepik
For one single mom of three, creating the perfect Christmas holiday meant thinking outside the box — or rather, outside her Airbnb rental.
She booked a cosy property for her family from December 24 to 26 and had one festive request: Could the host decorate the house before they arrived? It’s already giving “Real Housewives” vibes.
Hoping to make the stay extra magical for her kids, the mom’s request was simple yet specific, she wanted the house to feel like Christmas morning as soon as they walked in. But her request threw the host into a bit of a quandary.
The host shared the story on Reddit, explaining that while he appreciated the sentiment, fulfilling the request wasn’t as simple as stringing up a few fairy lights.
“I’ll be out of town for a few weeks around the holidays to spend time with family, so I’d have to buy and decorate the tree at least 10 days before her arrival,” he explained.
And then there was the issue of practicality. Decorations could pose liability concerns, especially in a rental setting, he noted.
The idea of setting up an elaborate display, only to leave it unsupervised for days, made the whole thing feel a bit complicated.
“I haven’t decorated the Airbnb in the past, partially because I worry a bit about people leaving lights on/the tree not being watered by guests and it drying out/being a fire hazard,“ he added.
He also noted that not all his guests celebrate Christmas, so decorating the space might not be fair or inclusive.
Unsure of how to handle the situation, the host admitted, "I’m not sure how to reply to this and would appreciate others’ input."
“Tell her you’re not the right fit if she’s absolutely needing that. Then let her know you understand if she decides to cancel and hope she finds what she’s looking for,” one commented.
While another commented: “Unfortunately we’re unable to accommodate your request. Our cancellation policy is … A two-day guest with a weirdly presumptuous request like that would make me think there could be other unforeseen issues while you are away enjoying your family time.
“Not worth the potential headaches. Also, you probably already did this but update your calendar so no one can book while you are away.“