House Sitting During Holidays: A Unique Way To Travel

House sitting during holidays offers a unique travel experience that combines adventure and a feeling of home. Taking care of someone’s pets and home while travelling to a new place, is a win-win situation.

Christmas and New Year’s are almost upon us, but if you get a last-minute request to house sit, go for it! And if not this Christmas or New Year’s, maybe next year or a different holiday such as Easter or Day of the Dead!

You will experience the local culture, save money, and enjoy the comforts of home. With festive decorations, warm atmospheres, and maybe a pet or more to keep you company, the holiday season can be extra special.

What Makes House Sitting During Holidays Ideal for Travel?

Although the holidays are a wonderful time of year, they can be costly and stressful for travellers. Instead of staying in expensive and crowded hotels, you can enjoy the peaceful comforts of home.

House sitting during holidays allows you to become fully involved in the community while saving money. You can experience holiday customs like an insider, which is rarely possible for travellers.

The Cost-Effective Advantage of House Sitting During Holidays

Holiday time is usually considered a ‘high’ season meaning accommodation costs can be 25-50% more than regular rates. You can avoid these costs by house sitting in a comfortable home for free in exchange for your time and care. In addition to accommodations, there are other considerations.

Save on Eating Costs: House sits often offer fully equipped kitchens, allowing guests to cook instead of dining out, saving hundreds of dollars during extended stays, especially in high-priced holiday areas.

Save on Utility Bills: Homeowners typically cover utilities like electricity, water, and Wi-Fi, providing a full living experience without draining the wallet.

Save on Transportation: House sitting near family or friends offers financial benefits such as reduced transportation costs. The money you save can go towards gifts and new experiences.

Experiencing Local Culture

We are spending time in Mexico and it is fun to experience the culture. This allows us to experience traditions and customs in a way that most travellers never do.

Stroll through the community and see how the locals celebrate at community gatherings, holiday markets, or neighbourhood light displays.

Shopping at local markets for handmade decorations or preparing meals with seasonal ingredients can also enrich your experience. When walking with pets you might discover hidden gems such as coffee shops, baked goods or delicious breakfasts, while learning about local history and customs.

How to Find the Perfect Holiday House Sitting Opportunity

Finding opportunities house sitting during holidays is a challenge, but I can tell you from experience the benefits are worth it. Homeowners are looking for trustworthy sitters so it is important that you stand out.

This means you should know where to look for opportunities and plan accordingly. What type of house sit are you looking for? Do you want to be in the city? Country or the beach? The possibilities are endless.

Top Platforms to Use for House Sitting During Holidays

One of the best places to start is with a trusted house-sitting platform. We have used several including Trusted House Sitters, HouseCarers, and Mexico House Sit.

Trusted House Sitters: This well-known platform is worldwide and has thousands of listings. Filters such as location, dates, and type of pets are available to make your search easier.

HouseCarers: HouseCarers has been around since 2000 and offers a variety of long-term and short-term sitting, including numerous vacation options. You can browse listings quickly, and the site often features assignments in less touristy areas, perfect for exploring local culture.

House Sit Mexico: If Mexico is on your bucket list, this platform is exclusive to the country. It is our go-to currently as we have been spending time here. We have had house sits in several locations (such as La Paz, Playa Del Carmen, and Puerto Morelos); and many repeat sits. Their customer service is quick to offer support if you need it. For a 20% discount, use Coupon Code: thetr6210d47b7cc90.

Get the most out of your search and investigate a few of these platforms, as each has advantages. If you do a Google search, you will find many more. Some of these sits are last minute so ensure your profile is up and ready to go.

Creating a Standout House Sitting Profile

I won’t tell you that there isn’t much competition. There is. However, you can stand out with a great profile.

Provide a Friendly and Professional Photo: Ensure your photo is clear. Besides a profile photo, many house-sitting platforms usually allow you to post several so here is your chance to show you with previous pets.

Strong Headline: Create a headline that highlights your expertise and passion. There are thousands of house sitters vying for sits so be clear and detailed.

Stress Strong Points:  Emphasize relevant experience, such as taking care of exotic pets, keeping up a house, or managing duties from previous house sits. Show that you are dependable, a problem-solver, and detail-oriented, especially if you are new to house sitting.

Add Reviews and References: This is very important to homeowners. If you are new, share personal references from employers and families. Pet sitting for friends also counts as it shows they trust you.

Avoid Mistakes: A professional, well-written profile shows you are serious about holiday house sitting and are available to offer support and care.

Preparing for a Successful Holiday House-Sitting Experience

So how do you prepare for a positive experience house sitting during holidays? Preparing for holiday house sitting involves organizing, packing, and communicating with homeowners.

Clear Communication with Homeowners

Clear communication with homeowners is essential for successful house sitting during holidays. This is probably the most important aspect of the sit so that you can eliminate any potential misunderstandings.

Share Expectations: Ask for clear instructions on watering plants, pet care, and holiday duties. This is necessary to show that you are dependable and can pay attention to details.

Ask for a Written Guide: I can’t stress this enough. Unless you have an amazing memory for details, you need this. Even on our repeat sits, we ask for written instructions as something could have changed. This guide should include emergency contacts, veterinary information, instructions for household appliances, and any quirks about the home or the pets. If it’s holiday time, are the lights on timers? Are there seasonal plants to care for?

Confirm Dates and Times: This includes arrival and departure times, potential travel arrangements, and ensuring someone will meet you or provide access instructions for arrival.

Discuss How and When to Communicate: In our experience, all sits are different. Some owners want daily updates, others once in a while. Discuss the homeowner’s preferences and what they expect from you.  Agree on the best way to communicate, by text, email, or phone.

Double-Check all Details: Confirm all information a few days before the sit to reassure the homeowner and build trust. A quick message shows the homeowner that you’re prepared. We ended up with a last-minute repeat sit because the potential house sitter wasn’t communicating with the owners causing them distress.

Packing Essentials House Sitting During Holidays

Who likes packing? I don’t, but knowing what to pack for house sitting during holidays will keep you organized and on point.

Proper Clothing: The easiest thing to do is dress in layers. Bring gloves, a coat, boots, breathable clothing, and comfortable shoes. Of course, if it’s a beach destination, you won’t need those boots and a coat! If unfamiliar with the location and the weather, Google it or ask your hosts for suggestions.

Essential Travel Items: Pack essentials like medicine, toiletries, chargers, a universal adapter, and a first aid kit for your trip, especially if you’re house-sitting abroad. Sometimes medication is hard to get or costly, so be prepared.

Personal Comfort Items: Nothing is more comforting when away from home than having personal items such as a book, journal, or cozy blanket to snuggle into. If you are looking after pets, I am sure they will happily cuddle with you.

House Sitting Etiquette during the Holidays

House sitting during holidays requires some consideration for the owners as they have certain expectations. It is important to communicate during this time as they are away from their home and beloved pets. This shows compassion and understanding on your part.

At our current sit, there is a gorgeous Christmas tree loaded with decorations; most have personal sentiments and are old. We are keeping a safe distance away from it because we would feel terrible if one of these beautiful ornaments got broken. Thankfully, we don’t have any curious cats to look after.

Respecting Homeowners’ Holiday Traditions

It’s unlikely that the homeowner will want you to celebrate the holidays the way they would but there are certain things you can keep in mind.

For example, they may want holiday lights turned on each evening or certain ornaments displayed in a particular way. If they have a fresh-cut tree, they might expect you to water it, depending on how long they are away.

Don’t rearrange their Christmas decorations or furniture. They have left their home in your care and don’t want to come home to unexpected changes!

Ensuring Security and Peace of Mind

Ensuring security and peace of mind is one of the most important responsibilities of house sitting during holidays. Homeowners trust you to protect their property.

Home Security Systems: Learn the location of home security systems like alarms, smart locks, and surveillance cameras, and how they work.

Lock Doors and Windows: This is especially important during the holidays. Statistics indicate burglaries often peak during December, as empty homes become easy targets.

Give a Lived-in Appearance: Bring in mail, packages, and newspapers as soon as possible to avoid signalling that no one is home. Adjust lighting and blinds to indicate daily routines.

Establish an Emergency Plan: Include contacts such as neighbours, police, and emergency services. Know how to reach the owner quickly in case of an urgent situation.

Take Note of Unusual Activity: If you notice any unusual activity, get as much information as possible, notify the owners immediately, and follow the owners’ instructions.

The Benefits of House Sitting During Holidays

House Sitting during holidays offers unique benefits beyond travel, such as building lasting relationships, saving money, and experiencing traditions. It allows for trust-building with homeowners, enjoying pleasant settings, and making vacation trips unforgettable, regardless of your house-sitting experience.

Building Lasting Connections and Trust

House sitting during holidays is an opportunity to build connections and trust with homeowners who are likely to think of you when they need a sitter.

By consistently communicating, they can feel assured that their home and pets are safe. Share photos to keep them in the loop even if they are miles away.

Respect their home and traditions and follow instructions. Happy homeowners will share their positive experiences with others, allowing you to take advantage of other house-sitting opportunities.

Expanding Your Travel Horizons

House sitting during holidays offers a unique way to experience different locations and cultures and connect with locals. We prefer areas not too touristy, allowing us to live like the locals for a while.

Also, living in someone’s home and looking after their pets is much nicer than staying in a hotel or home alone. You don’t have to deal with busy schedules; you can check out the community, chat with neighbours, and participate in holiday events.

For us, experiencing new places and cultures, making new friends, and making life-long memories are the main benefits.

CONCLUSION

House sitting during holidays is a fun and fulfilling way to travel. You can experience cultural immersion while saving money and making deep connections. What a great way to travel the world affordably!

We have spent Christmas in Canada, Costa Rica, and Mexico, all through house-sitting opportunities. If you are looking for a new way to travel or expand your travel, house sitting is an amazing way.