Phew! The Christmas and New Year rush is done for another year. How did you fare? Try looking back over recent weeks – while it’s still fresh in your mind – and plan ahead for the next one.

Here’s some ideas to consider:

Try offering “Christmas Only” guest packages. These could include discounted meals, tickets or coupons to local attractions or events over Christmas, or wrapped gifts delivered to the guests’ doors overnight. The more you can tie the special offerings in with Christmas themes the better.

This is a great time of year to offer special family rates or group discounts. If you do have some families staying over Christmas, maybe bring Santa in for a visit for the kids.

Your promotional materials can emphasize the fact that maybe the entire family can’t stay in one home anymore, “So let us host them, and you don’t have to worry about cleaning up.”

Special Christmas receptions for guests with bowls of eggnog and Christmas treats add a cheery note to their stay. If you brew up punch bowls of mulled cider, your lobby will smell absolutely wonderful.

Regarding Christmas gifts for your guests, as with most gift-giving: The delightfully unexpected is the most memorable, not the most expensive. The more special and thoughtful the gift, the deeper impression as well.

Christmas activities are always fun. Have cake or cookie-decorating tables for kids of all ages. Maybe there can be a storyteller on hand to enchant the kids while they’re decorating and eating the cakes and cookies.

If you have guests who have been loyal and faithful customers throughout the year, reward them at Christmas with customized package deals or gift certificates. Goodie bags in the form of Christmas stockings on their doors are a great way to thank your regular guests as well.