Christmas Season Town sponsored open house

We are participated in an open house stroll as part of the town's Christmas Season festivities. Our Inn, as well as several others will be open for four hours to paying 'strollers' to look at.
Have you ever done this?
Any suggestions for the food offerings?
They asked for a paragraph description for their pamphlet - how do you like this draft?
The Seafarer Inn is a charming old Dutch Colonial home by the sea. The home has operated as an inn for over 100 years, but this year, has seen a change in ownership. The Beach Houses, long time Rockporters, took over operations this past Fall and have been busy with renovations since then. Most notable are a new wrap around front porch, a cozy fireplace in the living room and a koi pond to house their 15 koi fish. The inn offers 6 guest rooms, each with an ocean view, private bath, wifi, and other amenities. A continental breakfast is complimentary with each night’s stay. Look forward to freshly baked breads and muffins featuring Anadama bread; fresh fruit, yogurt, assorted cereals, juice, and an assortment of coffee and tea. The views are spectacular, the home is cozy and comfortable and the hospitality is warm and inviting.

The blurb looks good to me but I will leave that to the writers on here.
I have held several "Open House" tours for $1 each (top rate here" with one at Christmas (got a local craft shop to do one of the rooms) with the money going to the Lord's Pantry Food Bank. Served cookies and mini-muffins with cider, iced tea, and coffee as beverages. Do things you serve for breakfast in mini-sizes that are "finger foods", cheap to make if possible, and that you can do in advance.
Have a person stationed at each level of the house as a "tour guide" to also answer questions but mainly to be a security guard for your stuff.

Good food - Christmas cookies. Easy to carry, easy to eat. Hot cider.
The blurb is a little wordy. Hate to say it, but not sure the strollers actually care you're new owners. Play up the WHYS of them coming to stay. It's all about the guest. 'Newly renovated' is good, relax on the newly added wrap around porch.
Pull from your new reviews - 'Our guests say...'
Keep the parts about why the guests will love it. Briefly mention you're local folks who bought the place. The local aspect will be good.
Will you do a walk thru the house with the strollers? Make sure you have enough of you to go around. We were often caught with one person half way thru the tour and the other answering the door and the strollers got away from us. We did this while open so many times there was only one room to show to the strollers.
Have the fireplace going. They'll more remember what they felt than what they read. They'll say, later on, 'Right, this was the place with the fire and the great views,' if you take the time to point those things out.
If you can offer a rest room that will be most appreciated.

We have no decorations for the rooms. Hope no one minds. The common rooms will be decorated to death!
I agree. We will be going with mini muffins and breads. Hot chocolate, maybe hot cider.

TheBeachHouse said:

We have no decorations for the rooms. Hope no one minds. The common rooms will be decorated to death!
I agree. We will be going with mini muffins and breads. Hot chocolate, maybe hot cider..

Click to expand...

Put an angel, Santa, some small Christmasy item in each room. You do not need to "decorate" just put something in the room. Does not take much as you do not want to detract from the room decor and ambiance but something to show the season.

TheBeachHouse said:

We have no decorations for the rooms. Hope no one minds. The common rooms will be decorated to death!
I agree. We will be going with mini muffins and breads. Hot chocolate, maybe hot cider..

Click to expand...

TheBeachHouse said:

We have no decorations for the rooms. Hope no one minds. The common rooms will be decorated to death!
I agree. We will be going with mini muffins and breads. Hot chocolate, maybe hot cider.

Click to expand...

Christmas Tree Shops. Nutcrackers - $2-$3 each. Have used mine for years.

Bridgewater has NEW Christmas parade this Dec. ( 1st time ever), my logo truck is entered ,will have a lit Xmas tree in the bed. Me driving it and that's all the effort from me. Should be fun.

Madeleine said:

TheBeachHouse said:

We have no decorations for the rooms. Hope no one minds. The common rooms will be decorated to death!
I agree. We will be going with mini muffins and breads. Hot chocolate, maybe hot cider..

Click to expand...

TheBeachHouse said:

We have no decorations for the rooms. Hope no one minds. The common rooms will be decorated to death!
I agree. We will be going with mini muffins and breads. Hot chocolate, maybe hot cider.

Click to expand...

Christmas Tree Shops. Nutcrackers - $2-$3 each. Have used mine for years.
.

Click to expand...

Madeleine said:

TheBeachHouse said:

We have no decorations for the rooms. Hope no one minds. The common rooms will be decorated to death!
I agree. We will be going with mini muffins and breads. Hot chocolate, maybe hot cider.

Click to expand...

Christmas Tree Shops. Nutcrackers - $2-$3 each. Have used mine for years.

Click to expand...

Road trip this weekend! Thanks!

TheBeachHouse said:

Madeleine said:

TheBeachHouse said:

We have no decorations for the rooms. Hope no one minds. The common rooms will be decorated to death!
I agree. We will be going with mini muffins and breads. Hot chocolate, maybe hot cider..

Click to expand...

TheBeachHouse said:

We have no decorations for the rooms. Hope no one minds. The common rooms will be decorated to death!
I agree. We will be going with mini muffins and breads. Hot chocolate, maybe hot cider.

Click to expand...

Christmas Tree Shops. Nutcrackers - $2-$3 each. Have used mine for years.
.

Click to expand...

Madeleine said:

TheBeachHouse said:

We have no decorations for the rooms. Hope no one minds. The common rooms will be decorated to death!
I agree. We will be going with mini muffins and breads. Hot chocolate, maybe hot cider.

Click to expand...

Christmas Tree Shops. Nutcrackers - $2-$3 each. Have used mine for years.

Click to expand...

Road trip this weekend! Thanks!
.

Click to expand...

I may be in the minority here, but I wouldn't decorate the guest rooms. It only makes it more cluttered and I think it's important to have a fresh clean non-cluttered room for them to look at. Let them see what it would be like when they're actually there.

Breakfast Diva said:

TheBeachHouse said:

Madeleine said:

TheBeachHouse said:

We have no decorations for the rooms. Hope no one minds. The common rooms will be decorated to death!
I agree. We will be going with mini muffins and breads. Hot chocolate, maybe hot cider..

Click to expand...

TheBeachHouse said:

We have no decorations for the rooms. Hope no one minds. The common rooms will be decorated to death!
I agree. We will be going with mini muffins and breads. Hot chocolate, maybe hot cider.

Click to expand...

Christmas Tree Shops. Nutcrackers - $2-$3 each. Have used mine for years.
.

Click to expand...

Madeleine said:

TheBeachHouse said:

We have no decorations for the rooms. Hope no one minds. The common rooms will be decorated to death!
I agree. We will be going with mini muffins and breads. Hot chocolate, maybe hot cider.

Click to expand...

Christmas Tree Shops. Nutcrackers - $2-$3 each. Have used mine for years.

Click to expand...

Road trip this weekend! Thanks!
.

Click to expand...

I may be in the minority here, but I wouldn't decorate the guest rooms. It only makes it more cluttered and I think it's important to have a fresh clean non-cluttered room for them to look at. Let them see what it would be like when they're actually there.
.

Click to expand...

That is why I put an angel on a mantle in one room and a nutcracker in another. Just a little unobtrusive thing to recognize the season.

Breakfast Diva said:

TheBeachHouse said:

Madeleine said:

TheBeachHouse said:

We have no decorations for the rooms. Hope no one minds. The common rooms will be decorated to death!
I agree. We will be going with mini muffins and breads. Hot chocolate, maybe hot cider..

Click to expand...

TheBeachHouse said:

We have no decorations for the rooms. Hope no one minds. The common rooms will be decorated to death!
I agree. We will be going with mini muffins and breads. Hot chocolate, maybe hot cider.

Click to expand...

Christmas Tree Shops. Nutcrackers - $2-$3 each. Have used mine for years.
.

Click to expand...

Madeleine said:

TheBeachHouse said:

We have no decorations for the rooms. Hope no one minds. The common rooms will be decorated to death!
I agree. We will be going with mini muffins and breads. Hot chocolate, maybe hot cider.

Click to expand...

Christmas Tree Shops. Nutcrackers - $2-$3 each. Have used mine for years.

Click to expand...

Road trip this weekend! Thanks!
.

Click to expand...

I may be in the minority here, but I wouldn't decorate the guest rooms. It only makes it more cluttered and I think it's important to have a fresh clean non-cluttered room for them to look at. Let them see what it would be like when they're actually there.
.

Click to expand...

Breakfast Diva said:

I may be in the minority here, but I wouldn't decorate the guest rooms. It only makes it more cluttered and I think it's important to have a fresh clean non-cluttered room for them to look at. Let them see what it would be like when they're actually there.

Click to expand...

The decorations would also be for guests in the house that day. Not just for the strollers. Our nutcrackers are small. I'm a terrible decorator so I stick to tiny things I can place on top of the dresser or on a window sill.

Madeleine said:

Breakfast Diva said:

TheBeachHouse said:

Madeleine said:

TheBeachHouse said:

We have no decorations for the rooms. Hope no one minds. The common rooms will be decorated to death!
I agree. We will be going with mini muffins and breads. Hot chocolate, maybe hot cider..

Click to expand...

TheBeachHouse said:

We have no decorations for the rooms. Hope no one minds. The common rooms will be decorated to death!
I agree. We will be going with mini muffins and breads. Hot chocolate, maybe hot cider.

Click to expand...

Christmas Tree Shops. Nutcrackers - $2-$3 each. Have used mine for years.
.

Click to expand...

Madeleine said:

TheBeachHouse said:

We have no decorations for the rooms. Hope no one minds. The common rooms will be decorated to death!
I agree. We will be going with mini muffins and breads. Hot chocolate, maybe hot cider.

Click to expand...

Christmas Tree Shops. Nutcrackers - $2-$3 each. Have used mine for years.

Click to expand...

Road trip this weekend! Thanks!
.

Click to expand...

I may be in the minority here, but I wouldn't decorate the guest rooms. It only makes it more cluttered and I think it's important to have a fresh clean non-cluttered room for them to look at. Let them see what it would be like when they're actually there.
.

Click to expand...

Breakfast Diva said:

I may be in the minority here, but I wouldn't decorate the guest rooms. It only makes it more cluttered and I think it's important to have a fresh clean non-cluttered room for them to look at. Let them see what it would be like when they're actually there.

Click to expand...

The decorations would also be for guests in the house that day. Not just for the strollers. Our nutcrackers are small. I'm a terrible decorator so I stick to tiny things I can place on top of the dresser or on a window sill.
.

Click to expand...

Madeleine said:

Breakfast Diva said:

I may be in the minority here, but I wouldn't decorate the guest rooms. It only makes it more cluttered and I think it's important to have a fresh clean non-cluttered room for them to look at. Let them see what it would be like when they're actually there.

Click to expand...

The decorations would also be for guests in the house that day. Not just for the strollers. Our nutcrackers are small. I'm a terrible decorator so I stick to tiny things I can place on top of the dresser or on a window sill.

Click to expand...

Me too. Plus, if I put it UP, I have to take it DOWN! UGH!!!!!

gillumhouse said:

Madeleine said:

Breakfast Diva said:

TheBeachHouse said:

Madeleine said:

TheBeachHouse said:

We have no decorations for the rooms. Hope no one minds. The common rooms will be decorated to death!
I agree. We will be going with mini muffins and breads. Hot chocolate, maybe hot cider..

Click to expand...

TheBeachHouse said:

We have no decorations for the rooms. Hope no one minds. The common rooms will be decorated to death!
I agree. We will be going with mini muffins and breads. Hot chocolate, maybe hot cider.

Click to expand...

Christmas Tree Shops. Nutcrackers - $2-$3 each. Have used mine for years.
.

Click to expand...

Madeleine said:

TheBeachHouse said:

We have no decorations for the rooms. Hope no one minds. The common rooms will be decorated to death!
I agree. We will be going with mini muffins and breads. Hot chocolate, maybe hot cider.

Click to expand...

Christmas Tree Shops. Nutcrackers - $2-$3 each. Have used mine for years.

Click to expand...

Road trip this weekend! Thanks!
.

Click to expand...

I may be in the minority here, but I wouldn't decorate the guest rooms. It only makes it more cluttered and I think it's important to have a fresh clean non-cluttered room for them to look at. Let them see what it would be like when they're actually there.
.

Click to expand...

Breakfast Diva said:

I may be in the minority here, but I wouldn't decorate the guest rooms. It only makes it more cluttered and I think it's important to have a fresh clean non-cluttered room for them to look at. Let them see what it would be like when they're actually there.

Click to expand...

The decorations would also be for guests in the house that day. Not just for the strollers. Our nutcrackers are small. I'm a terrible decorator so I stick to tiny things I can place on top of the dresser or on a window sill.
.

Click to expand...

Madeleine said:

Breakfast Diva said:

I may be in the minority here, but I wouldn't decorate the guest rooms. It only makes it more cluttered and I think it's important to have a fresh clean non-cluttered room for them to look at. Let them see what it would be like when they're actually there.

Click to expand...

The decorations would also be for guests in the house that day. Not just for the strollers. Our nutcrackers are small. I'm a terrible decorator so I stick to tiny things I can place on top of the dresser or on a window sill.

Click to expand...

Me too. Plus, if I put it UP, I have to take it DOWN! UGH!!!!!
.

Click to expand...

gillumhouse said:

Madeleine said:

Breakfast Diva said:

I may be in the minority here, but I wouldn't decorate the guest rooms. It only makes it more cluttered and I think it's important to have a fresh clean non-cluttered room for them to look at. Let them see what it would be like when they're actually there.

Click to expand...

The decorations would also be for guests in the house that day. Not just for the strollers. Our nutcrackers are small. I'm a terrible decorator so I stick to tiny things I can place on top of the dresser or on a window sill.

Click to expand...

Me too. Plus, if I put it UP, I have to take it DOWN! UGH!!!!!

Click to expand...

that reminds me - we have a shop in the neighbouring town called "the Christmas shop" - that's all they do Christmas all year round - very traditional stuff so want to arrange a visit when I have 2 minutes to know my own name!

Breakfast Diva said:

TheBeachHouse said:

Madeleine said:

TheBeachHouse said:

We have no decorations for the rooms. Hope no one minds. The common rooms will be decorated to death!
I agree. We will be going with mini muffins and breads. Hot chocolate, maybe hot cider..

Click to expand...

TheBeachHouse said:

We have no decorations for the rooms. Hope no one minds. The common rooms will be decorated to death!
I agree. We will be going with mini muffins and breads. Hot chocolate, maybe hot cider.

Click to expand...

Christmas Tree Shops. Nutcrackers - $2-$3 each. Have used mine for years.
.

Click to expand...

Madeleine said:

TheBeachHouse said:

We have no decorations for the rooms. Hope no one minds. The common rooms will be decorated to death!
I agree. We will be going with mini muffins and breads. Hot chocolate, maybe hot cider.

Click to expand...

Christmas Tree Shops. Nutcrackers - $2-$3 each. Have used mine for years.

Click to expand...

Road trip this weekend! Thanks!
.

Click to expand...

I may be in the minority here, but I wouldn't decorate the guest rooms. It only makes it more cluttered and I think it's important to have a fresh clean non-cluttered room for them to look at. Let them see what it would be like when they're actually there.
.

Click to expand...

Breakfast Diva said:

I may be in the minority here, but I wouldn't decorate the guest rooms. It only makes it more cluttered and I think it's important to have a fresh clean non-cluttered room for them to look at. Let them see what it would be like when they're actually there.

Click to expand...

I wonder if I put the decorations in the rooms just for the open house. To festive the place up.
I do have a stocking for each door.

TheBeachHouse said:

Breakfast Diva said:

TheBeachHouse said:

Madeleine said:

TheBeachHouse said:

We have no decorations for the rooms. Hope no one minds. The common rooms will be decorated to death!
I agree. We will be going with mini muffins and breads. Hot chocolate, maybe hot cider..

Click to expand...

TheBeachHouse said:

We have no decorations for the rooms. Hope no one minds. The common rooms will be decorated to death!
I agree. We will be going with mini muffins and breads. Hot chocolate, maybe hot cider.

Click to expand...

Christmas Tree Shops. Nutcrackers - $2-$3 each. Have used mine for years.
.

Click to expand...

Madeleine said:

TheBeachHouse said:

We have no decorations for the rooms. Hope no one minds. The common rooms will be decorated to death!
I agree. We will be going with mini muffins and breads. Hot chocolate, maybe hot cider.

Click to expand...

Christmas Tree Shops. Nutcrackers - $2-$3 each. Have used mine for years.

Click to expand...

Road trip this weekend! Thanks!
.

Click to expand...

I may be in the minority here, but I wouldn't decorate the guest rooms. It only makes it more cluttered and I think it's important to have a fresh clean non-cluttered room for them to look at. Let them see what it would be like when they're actually there.
.

Click to expand...

Breakfast Diva said:

I may be in the minority here, but I wouldn't decorate the guest rooms. It only makes it more cluttered and I think it's important to have a fresh clean non-cluttered room for them to look at. Let them see what it would be like when they're actually there.

Click to expand...

I wonder if I put the decorations in the rooms just for the open house. To festive the place up.
I do have a stocking for each door.
.

Click to expand...

I decorate the common area, but the only thing I do for the rooms is hang a wreath on each door.

I have come up with a 'plan.' We have one room on the first floor immediately adjacent to the common living room. I've blocked it for the night before the open house. I will decorate that room all the way. Village pieces, stockings, pillows. Even a small tree in the bathroom.
That will serve to open up the area for visitors and also allow us to have an available bathroom for anyone who needs one.
Then I have odds and ends that will go into each room. Like a sleigh, or a nutcracker or an angel.

TheBeachHouse said:

I have come up with a 'plan.' We have one room on the first floor immediately adjacent to the common living room. I've blocked it for the night before the open house. I will decorate that room all the way. Village pieces, stockings, pillows. Even a small tree in the bathroom.
That will serve to open up the area for visitors and also allow us to have an available bathroom for anyone who needs one.
Then I have odds and ends that will go into each room. Like a sleigh, or a nutcracker or an angel..

Click to expand...

Excellent idea!

TheBeachHouse said:

I have come up with a 'plan.' We have one room on the first floor immediately adjacent to the common living room. I've blocked it for the night before the open house. I will decorate that room all the way. Village pieces, stockings, pillows. Even a small tree in the bathroom.
That will serve to open up the area for visitors and also allow us to have an available bathroom for anyone who needs one.
Then I have odds and ends that will go into each room. Like a sleigh, or a nutcracker or an angel..

Click to expand...

Perfecto!!!!

TheBeachHouse said:

We have no decorations for the rooms. Hope no one minds. The common rooms will be decorated to death!
I agree. We will be going with mini muffins and breads. Hot chocolate, maybe hot cider..

Click to expand...

Electric candles in all the windows.
If you have windows with minimal window treatment you can use tension rod to swag the fake green spruce roping that Christmas Tree shop offers. I use a velvet bow attached to the spring rod to hold up the middle of the swag. They look festive in the dining room and do not require any permanent hardware.
For long runs of windows grouped together I hang long garlands of fake evergreen roping in a swag that hangs from invisible nylon "string" with a cup hook attached at one end to hold the garland and the other end thumb-tacked to the topside of the top molding. When the season is over I just unhook the garland and return the nylon hanger to the top of the molding where no one can see it. Dried flowers look fabulous stuck into the garland: hydrangea, Artemisia ludoviciana 'Silver King', pine cones, Silver dollar (Lunaria annua) adds a wonderful glow and Yarrow adds more color. I'll see if I can hunt through our picture files for a photo...send me an e-mail if you want me to send it to you.