7 must-haves for holiday hosting in your second home

Published Date: November 9, 2023

Owning a second home can be a source of great joy, especially during the holiday season. As you prepare to host family and friends, here are seven second home essentials — all ready and waiting in Pacaso second homes.

Guest accommodations

Holiday gatherings are best when you’re with all the ones you love, so ensure that your second home has comfortable and well-appointed guest accommodations. You’ll find spacious guest rooms and bunk beds at every Pacaso home — all equipped with quality mattresses, cozy bedding, extra pillows and more.​​A guest bedroom of a Napa second home featuring a white bed and sliding glass doors, offering a serene ambiance and ample natural light

Pacaso listing: The Grove — Napa, CA

Festive decorations

Transform your second home into a holiday wonderland by decorating it with festive décor. This includes holiday-themed decorations like wreaths, ornaments, garlands, candles and twinkling lights. Having a Christmas tree, tablescape or other holiday focal points can create a warm and inviting atmosphere. While Pacaso does not provide holiday decorations, your home is professionally designed with furnishings and decor that can pair with your holiday decorations. Plus, every home includes a private storage locker for you to store decorations handy. Holiday dinner table adorned with greenery and elegance at a Lake Arrowhead second home

Pacaso listing: West Shore — Lake Arrowhead, CA

Well-equipped kitchen

A fully stocked and well-equipped kitchen is a holiday host's best friend. Make sure your second home's kitchen is ready to handle holiday cooking and baking with a range of cookware, bakeware, utensils, and appliances. Be sure to have enough dinnerware, glassware and silverware to serve meals to your guests. As a Pacaso owner, you can expect a beautifully designed kitchen stocked with high-quality pots and pans, premium cutlery, bakeware, premium countertop appliances and everything you need to make some of your warmest memories.A modern kitchen of a Scottsdale second home with warm limestone backsplash, two islands, open wood shelving, and Sub-Zero and Wolf appliances

Pacaso listing: Tulum Oasis — Scottsdale, AZ

Entertainment options

To keep your guests entertained, you’ll want to provide a variety of options. Board games, card games and a curated collection of holiday movies can keep everyone engaged. If your second home is in a location with winter outdoor activities, consider providing equipment for sledding, skiing, or hiking to make the most of the season. When you own a Pacaso, entertaining the family is a piece of cake. Every home contains classic games like Jenga, backgammon and playing cards, and select properties even have a theater room, pool table, ping pong table or foosball table. Some of our ski homes also include storage space for ski equipment.Bright room with a foosball table and open windows

Pacaso listing: Balboa Promenade — Newport Beach, CA

Extra seating and dining space

Having enough seating and dining space for your guests is a must. Consider investing in folding chairs, cushions and additional dining tables. A well-prepared dining area makes your holiday feast the centerpiece of the celebration. You’ll find vast dining tables, spacious islands and large decks in every Pacaso home.Contemporary dining area with panoramic window view

Pacaso listing: Sail Bay — San Diego, CA

Fireplaces and fire pits

If your second home has a fireplace or fire pits, make sure everything is in good working order and stocked with firewood. Fireplaces create a cozy ambiance and serve as a gathering point for your guests. Create inviting nooks and seating areas near the fireplace to encourage relaxation and conversation — like this inviting fireplace and seating area at West Shore.A spacious second home living room with a neutral color scheme, featuring a sectional sofa, accent chairs and a wall-mounted TV.

Pacaso listing: Jackson Square — Jackson, WY

Fully stocked essentials

Before your guests arrive, stock up on essentials like fresh linens and towels, toilet paper, basic toiletries and kitchen essentials. Having these items handy will help your guests feel welcome and ensure they have everything they need during their stay. You’ll also want cleaning and maintenance supplies like brooms, mops, cleaning agents and extra light bulbs for handling any unexpected situations. If you have a Pacaso, you’ll always find these living essentials stocked in your home. Plus, your home manager is available to handle any unexpected problems, from a broken fuse to Wi-Fi connectivity.Living Room with views

Pacaso listing: Rodeo — Pebble Beach, CA

Looking for a Pacaso to host your holiday gathering? Explore more homes designed for entertaining. Our streamlined buying process means you can close on your dream home in just 1-2 weeks.

headshot of writer Tony Huynh

Tony Huynh


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