Whether the family lives close by or across the country, family holidays are more fun if everyone gets to relax. Renting a mountain cabin for the Christmas holidays is a great way to bring the family together without wearing anyone out with the stress of “holiday overload.” With a little planning, and a checklist, you can have an old fashioned family Christmas and enjoy it too.
Finding Mountain Cabin Rentals in the Right Location
If family members will be traveling from different cities or even different states, choose a location that is convenient to everyone. If people will be flying in, consider the distance to the airport and if someone will be picking them up or if they are getting a rental car. For instance Atlanta’s Hartsfield Airport is about 2 ½ hours from the North Georgia mountain resort towns of Hiawassee, Blue Ridge, and Dahlonega.
Consider also the activities family members prefer. Are there quaint towns to visit, or museums or historic homes like the Biltmore in Asheville? Whereas some family members may want theme parks nearby like Dollywood near Gatlinburg, others may just be content to sit in the hot tub and watch the scenery, which brings up the question of cabin amenities.
Cabin Amenities for Christmas Holidays
Decide what amenities you need to have and which ones are less important. For instance, if several people will be cooking, make sure the kitchen has plenty of room for multiple cooks (and bottle washers), especially if grandma plans to bake cookies with the grandkids. Is a hot tub important? What about a pool table or video games? Many mountain cabins offer these and more, along with WiFi, large screen televisions and DVD players.
Make a list of the amenities you must have and those that would be nice extras but not necessary. When you start your search, you’ll find no mountain cabin has everything and you may have to give up some things in order to get others. Do you need a pet friendly cabin? The mountains are a great place for Fido to run and many places allow pets with an additional fee.
Keep in mind those with special needs. Most mountain cabins have two or three levels. If a family member cannot climb stairs, look for a cabin with a bedroom and bath on the main floor and make sure the entry from the parking area is level or has only one or two steps. You can also rent equipment for assistance in bath tubs or ask the property manager or owner if they can provide this.
Bring in the Holidays for a Merry Christmas
Mountain cabin rentals generally have all the necessities including bedding, dishes, and kitchen equipment, but you will want to bring your own roasting pan for the turkey or baking sheets for that special Yule Log cake. You can probably buy a live Christmas tree down in the town cheaper than you can at home, so bring your own ornaments, stockings, and decorations, but only a few. Remember this supposed to be relaxed family holidays.
In fact, some of the best decorations are the ones you find on your mountain walks and make yourself from pine cones and mountain greenery. As for presents, it’s best to pre-wrap the presents at home before you leave to keep snoopy Christmas elves from finding them. If the cabin has a fireplace or outdoor fire pit, bring marshmallows, chocolate, and graham crackers for smoores.
If you’re bringing Fido, be sure to bring your own towels to wipe him down after his walk. It rains or snows in the mountains and dogs love it. Bring warm clothes, and personal items, and toys and books to read to the little ones. When making your reservations, even if it’s online, call the property managers or owners for any questions you have. Most of all relax and enjoy the holidays.
Pamela Watson - I first hit the road at the tender age of three weeks when my career-Army dad packed up my mom and me and moved us from Indiana to New ...
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