Hi has anyone got their end of year sits lined up yet.
We leave the UK for 89 days around mid December , we have family in France and Spain so quite like to have a few sits lined up in that time period. I have a sense that I already had sits sorted this time last year but I haven’t seen any advertised yet. Am I being premature?
I’ve seen Christmas 2025 sits in passing, though haven’t paid them much mind, since I don’t sit during year-end holidays.
The other thing is, a number of sitters repeat holiday sits, so you might never see those posted — those hosts just send private invites. Even though I don’t sit at Christmas, I’ve received such requests privately, for instance.
We’re waiting on interesting Christmas sits too and haven’t seen anything fabulous as yet @Aideen #tryingtobepatient
I’ve seen quite a few in the UK, and a handful in Germany/France, but definitely not a lot yet. I’ve found Spanish listings to go up quite late, but there’s always a well organised pet parent listing early. It’s just luck of the draw to happen upon it.
European sits always seem to be advertised much later than sits in the UK.
I’ve got a short Christmas sit booked from 16-28 December in a place I’m considering moving to. I usually prefer longer into the New Year but it’s a lovely home and dog.
I lucked out and have already confirmed a 3 week holiday sit minutes from close family in Florida, and 5 minutes to my fave beach in the area, with one small dog who likes outings! I have been watching the holiday/winter Florida sits trickle in slowly.
There aren’t many Christmas sits advertised so early. They start flooding in from end of summer/September time. We usually don’t book more than 2/3 mobths ahead and last year only booked our Christmas sit in November! (3 weeks in Kuala Lumpur) Some hosts are last minuters like us! But there are plenty of sitters and hosts who like to plan ahead. Keep monitoring your save searches and your dream Christmas sit will pop up!
I’ve seen lots of Christmas sits, I have a search for those. They pop in more or less daily. But not necessarily in Spain/ south of France.
Same, I’m also waiting on more interesting (and longer) Christmas sits to show up! Last year I remember they really started showing up in September, though, so I’m not too worried yet.
I just got a sit in Europe over Christmas for 4 weeks. I’d applied for 3 others a couple of months ago in the UK but was unsuccessful.
For the Christmas/New Year period, We are returning to Paphos, Cyprus.
We were there last year, and the home host re-booked us on the day we left.
This year, we are taking my Mother in Law with us
Sounds like another tough gig for you @Colin. Please don’t post a picture of you in the pool on Xmas Day. It may tip me over the edge!
I reckon you win for the longest pre-booked Christmas sit!
Perhaps it was as late as September last year. So I will be patient.
Hi, we will need a HS this winter in France (southern Cévennes), about a month over Christmas, then again in February, to look after our cat and 4 chickens. We feel it’s a bit early to advertise, usually we start after summer, because we feel too many things might happen and interfere with our or HS plans… Not sure what’s the best time… Do check our site if you’re interested.
I am looking in southern CA and they have been popping up for a few weeks. One just came up that would be a repeat sit for me, beautiful house in Palos Verdes but not sure I want to be there for Christmas. Trying to figure out if I want to head north along the coast. I figure a lot more will come in.
Oh heck, I haven’t even got my summer holidays out of the way. Will be putting my Christmas sitter needs when we get back at the end of September. You are welcome to apply, SW France.
I confirmed my Christmas sit in March. It will be my third sit for a lovely young family in London. I do repeat sits for Christmas so I know what to expect and know it will be an enjoyable sit. I like to settle in during the holidays so I only take sits that start at least a few days before Christmas and go through New Year’s. My birthday is during that week too. I’m always off work then and don’t want to be packing/unpacking that week. I like to have my holiday plans set early, but I do always see lots of great looking holiday sits that show up in Sept and Oct, there will be plenty available then.
We’re waiting to see any Xmas/NY sits for Jersey Channel Islands but nothing has been posted as yet by any of our favourites list….we did have a repeat booking but the owners will now be taking their 2 dogs with them to France.