Hi all, I’m posting this on the sitters group to get your perspective. I tend to find that I get a lot of interest when I post a long sit (typically a month) from full-time sitters and long-term travellers. However, I recently posted one that spans over Christmas, and I’ve had no interest at all.
Is a Christmas sit an issue? Does everyone just stop sitting over the holidays? I’m wondering if I should shorten the sit and ask family to handle the last few days (as we get home on 26 December).
I’d appreciate thoughts from sitters on this, thanks!
1 Like
As sitters, we get the most invites from pet parents during the Christmas/New Year’s holiday. We went overseas both last year and the year before for holiday sits. I can’t speak for anyone else, but for our family, the price of flight tickets and hotel costs mean everything to me. I wouldn’t want the hassle of leaving the day after Christmas as flight tickets will be high. We look for sits that go well past the new years so that flights are cheaper.
4 Likes
Post Christmas and NYE sits well ahead and/or ask previous sitters well ahead. Many sitters start getting holiday invites many months ahead — some experienced sitters even book more than a year out.
That time of year is the highest demand for sitters. Plus, some sitters don’t sit during the holidays and others won’t do free sits, because they get paid offers away from THS.
During the holidays, many sits that would normally be in demand can end up unfilled, just because there’s a glut of sits available. Some hosts don’t post till late (like a month or two ahead) and miss out on sitters who make plans and buy tickets earlier. You’re especially at risk if your location isn’t in high demand, versus say a Paris or London sit.
Also, some sitters opt for warm climate sits during winter. Plus, U.K. and some other European sits have a reputation among some sitters for having drafty or chilly homes, with hosts who are stingy or mean with heating.
And if you’re posting, try to avoid start and end dates on holidays or holiday eves — they tend to create problems for sitters who must rely on public transit and need to get food and other supplies.
There are so many holiday sits that sitters know to be selective.
1 Like
Likely full time sitters and long term travellers will want a sit that covers both Christmas and New Year as it will be a lot of hassle to travel from Scotland to a new sit in U.K. between those dates with public transport in U.K. often disrupted or running a limited service on those public holidays .
I think you will get interest closer to the time .
But at this stage full time sitters interested in your sit will also be looking at how likely it is that they can find the next sit to follow yours - one that starts the weekend between Christmas and new year .
1 Like
Thanks, I might amend my dates - it’s only a small change, but we wouldn’t expect anyone to ship out on 26th, as we don’t get back until late that evening, so I’ll say 27th. Unfortunately we can’t be away over new year as well.
2 Likes
If you have guest quarters, you might consider offering sitters the possibility of staying extra days beyond their sit. Some hosts do that to make their sits more appealing.
3 Likes
Thanks - I posted as soon as we had our flights booked, so more than 10 months from the start date. I hope it’s clear from my listing and reviews that it’s a new house with efficient heating - although I take the point about warmer climes, as we need a sitter because we’re going to New Zealand!
1 Like
I’ve certainly done that before, although it’s a bit trickier for this one, as our own family want to visit as soon as we’re home.
1 Like
Thanks, that might explain why people are favouriting it but not applying. Our last 3 sits have been people who were long-term travelling in the UK, so not travelling in specifically for a sit. I’m going to move the end date to 27th, when transport is definitely back up and running.
1 Like
Rural sits that require cars tend to have a smaller pool of sitters, especially at the holidays, when there are more city sits than usual. You might want to consider loaning your car (there are risks to this, so you might want to search for existing threads if you want to consider it).
Otherwise, you might also consider whether there are ways for you to publicize your sit in your area, where locals might have visiting friends and family who might want to sit.
1 Like
You could read through the profile of the sitters who have favourited your sit and if they seem suitable , reach out to them to initiate a conversation…
“I see that you have favourited my sit , I have read your profile and you look like you would be a great sitter for us please let me know if you have any questions ? “
Sitters can’t reach out to hosts to ask about flexibility around dates etc , so this approach may be effective in this situation.
You could also ask the sitters who have sat for you before if they are available for part or all of the sit .
2 Likes
Thanks - the insurance complications of loaning a car in the UK are horrendous, and as you say, risky - and we need the car to get to and from the airport.
Thanks - I didn’t realise sitters couldn’t ask for clarification, that’s not ideal. I can’t see how to identify the people who’ve favourited it recently - there are around 100 in total, but no sense of them being in any kind of order. I also read in other posts that sitters don’t like to be randomly approached, but maybe that’s not the case? Unfortunately all my wonderful sitters from the last 2 years are now back in their own homes in Australia - in fact we’re visiting one couple there on our next trip!
2 Likes
Some hosts send invitations out to sitters who haven’t favourites the sit - thinking that they can invite them and sitter will be interested and available. ( and get upset if they aren’t)
In your case approaching sitters who have saved your listing as a favourite might work - although reading through 100+ sitter’s profiles might be a big ask !
You might just find a great sitter within the first dozen that you read 
you could focus on U.K. based sitters rather ones needing to fly in since those dates are expensive for flights .
You still have over 9 months to find someone so I wouldn’t be overly worried at this stage .
2 Likes
Depending on the sitter it’s not that hard to get insurance to cover them either on your policy or as an add on in the UK. (there are some discussion threads on here for providers if you use the spyglass) However if you need it for the airport then trickier. Could they take you to the airport instead or to a train station and you go to the airport that way? You’re in the most competitive time of year and no public transport plus the costs of a car is off-putting to lots of sitters so if you can flex it will really help. Sit looks lovely as do the cats and you have good reviews and plenty of time so fingers crossed for you. #felinefriendlyfit
I sit over Christmas, but I only take sits that encompass New Year’s. I don’t want to travel the week between Christmas and New Year’s. I’m off work that week, my birthday is also during that week, and I want to just be settled in and enjoy the holidays. I’ve done sits during the holidays the last two years and both have been repeat sits.
4 Likes
Thanks - I think this might be one where we need a UK sitter (which we’ve never had yet!). Most of the international sitters I’ve spoken to can only drive an automatic, so even if we could sort out insurance, they couldn’t drive our car.
I hope you’re right that we’ll find someone, as I’m panicking that our dream trip might be in jeopardy. 
1 Like
I learned to drive a stick as an American and many of my peers did, too. Maybe because I’m in my 50s. I mention that, because it would be better for you (if you decide to offer your car) to not waste time guessing who can drive a stick or not. Just mention the stick in your listing and potential sitters can self-select as applies to them.
As a sitter, I’ve sometimes driven hosts to the airport when they’ve left me their cars. Of course, whether you do that is up to you.
3 Likes
@Scottish_cat_posse I agree with @Maggie8K. I’m also in my 50s and American and had a manual transmission car for years when I was younger. I wouldn’t make assumptions as to who can drive a stick. I’m sure many international sitters would have no problem with your car. Just state it in the listing so those who can’t drive it can self-select out.
2 Likes