Hi there
I usually go away at Christmas and have had a friend and her partner staying but now they have a young baby I’ve joined TH and have two sits lined up which is great!
If I advertised dates over the Christmas period do you think sitters would be ok to do this? I’m happy they invite people over for the day although can’t accommodate them sleeping wise as I only have one guest bedroom,
Many thanks
Hi, I do think it’s very early to be advertising Christmas dates but you never know someone might already be looking.
There’s a good chance people’s plans will change with such a long lead time (nearly a year!) - unless you’re advertising minimum 3 weeks or it’s a significantly attractive property in a very touristy place.
Absolutely fine especially if you are happy for them to have visitors (even if not overnight). We have done 5 week and 3 month sits which covered Christmas and New Year and many other sitters are also happy doing sits over this period. Of course it won’t be for everyone so maybe the pool of sitters could be reduced so perhaps advertise well in advance as in 2023 there were a lot of last minute Christmas sits advertised. Maybe you could also include information on accommodation options nearby (hotels, Airbnb etc) which any visitors might be able to use.
I am a planner so early advertisements suit me but as @Enjaybee has said it might be too soon for some sitters to be looking but why not just give it a go?
I have already been approached and been booked for a sit for Christmas 2024. It’s not too early I don’t think. No harm in trying and better than leaving it too late and not being able to find someone suitable.
For me it’s too early unless it looked absolutely incredible. There are so many amazing sits that come up for christmas holidays. But it’s worth a go - someone might be keen. And if not you can always readvertise at regular intervals.
Just to clarify I wasn’t going to advertise yet, I just wanted a general view on Christmas sits and if sitters went for them or preferred to stay in their own homes. I’ve not formed up my dates yet anyway.
My first THS sit was over Christmas 2023 - it is ideal for me as friends are busy with their family (and it gets me out of hosting someone who rather assumes that will happen, without any contact from one Christmas to the next - I know, it makes me sound mean but….)
There are often lots of Christmas sits advertised, and I think it’s worth advertising as peoples’ circumstances are so different – and your sit may just happen to fit someone’s bill! For example, I don’t usually look for local sits, as I prefer to use house-sitting as a way of exploring different areas, but this year I am thinking of looking for a local sit over the Christmas period. This is because my own home is too small to host all of my close family at the same time (7 of us) but my Mum is now in her early 70s and I’d love for her to NOT be the one that does the bulk of the preparation and cooking for once, and to just be able to relax and enjoy the day. It wouldn’t involve anyone staying overnight, just being there for the day. This is obviously something that I would be completely transparent about, and discuss with any potential HOs from the outset. It may be too big an ask for many, but equally, I may be lucky enough to find someone who sees it as a mutually beneficial agreement. And we’re all very well-behaved and love animals, so any pets would be thoroughly doted on for the day!
@Di33 Christmas sits are very popular for both hosts and sitters- especially those who do not live near their families. Since joining THS, we have taken Christmas sits to be near our families and to participate in the festivities, but not staying with them. This gives us family time without being an extra burden on our families and gives us plenty of time to care for the pets and home of our hosts. It also gives us access to a kitchen to help with the cooking, which a hotel would not allow. But I would advise you to post your sit at least 3 months in advance, if possible, since many sitters are booked well in advance and there is a great deal of competition for holiday sitters.
The question is entirely down to people’s preferences, and what’s happening each year. Personally I’m 100% looking for a house sit for Christmas 2024 because I need a quiet Christmas! 
It does seem to be a good time for newbies to get sits - there were sooo many for Christmas / New Year 2023.
Yes best to put Christmas dates our early. There are a surprising number of people who do plan trips that far ahead…me being one of them:)
Plenty of sitters out there taking Christmas sits every year either to be near family or to have a good reason to be very far away from them 
I’m sure there are also sitters who take a break at that time of year but I don’t think it’s noticeable. What is noticeable is the crazy competition for good sitters and especially owners who leave pretty meh dates eg 24-26th to the last minute do my head in. As others have said, for me now would be too soon to book Christmas not just because my plans might change but also because I wouldn’t want to count on someone else plans not changing in the next 10 months but don’t leave it too late. I’d expect by September lots of sitters will have finalised their plans and booked flights etc.
Yes, I pet sit this past christmas. And I dont think there is such a thing as too early to post your sit, if I’m purchasing a flight to your home, Christmas time can get pricey, so purchasing a flight earlier than later is better.
Hi @Di33, a lot will depend on how long your Christmas sit will be for. Tips are not to have it starting right on Christmas or finishing Boxing Day or right on New Year as public transport can be a huge factor if sitters are relying on that to get to and leave a sit.
I have already seen listings for Christmas and New Year - very short sits for just over Christmas and they have no applicants.
We’ve had our New Year sit booked for a while now.
It’s really lovely that you’ll permit them to have friends or family, I would just pop ‘for a meal’ in your wording for that, so that it is clear.