"Every season brings something special" – Jeanett Degn on the joy of the holiday home lifestyle all year round

✍🏼 By Jeanett Degn, Landfolk host and Founder of Sommerhus Magasinet

Owning a holiday home, like I do, is a gift that keeps on giving – no matter the season. I love spending time in my holiday home all year round, and in this article, I’ll share my experiences and the little joys that come with each season. The holiday home is not just a summer destination; it’s a backdrop for life’s moments, whether it’s a frosty winter day or a warm summer evening.

Winter: Magical moments in the cold

Winter in the holiday home is something truly special. When the snow falls and covers the garden, it feels almost like a fairy tale. Long walks in the frosty landscape always end with cosy moments in front of a roaring fire – a cherished ritual that creates warmth and tranquillity.

Christmas is my favourite time of year. The holiday home is decorated with lights, fir branches, and Christmas ornaments, many of which are family heirlooms or second-hand finds. We gather around the outdoor fireplace on the terrace, roasting marshmallows and enjoying a cup of hot chocolate. For the children, this means building snowmen and having snowball fights, while us adults find a quiet corner with a blanket and a glass of mulled wine. Inside, it's all about baking Christmas cookies, playing board games, and watching Christmas movies with the whole family.

New Year is often celebrated here, and it's something truly special. We’ve had guests who have written us touching messages in the guestbook afterwards:

Thank you for letting us borrow your lovely holiday home. We’ve never had the pleasure of staying in a holiday home with so much atmosphere and cosiness! It provided the perfect setting for a wonderful New Year's Eve, relaxing by the fire. Thank you!

For the brave, winter bathing is a must, while the less brave can enjoy a warm bath or even a dip in the wilderness bath. I dream of having a sauna – perhaps that will be next year’s project.

Renewal and preparation

Although winter is about cosiness and relaxation, it’s also a great time to prepare the holiday home for the upcoming season. January marks the start of a new chapter – both mentally and in the home. It’s the month where we tidy up, clean, and perhaps treat the sofa to some new cushions to create a fresh and inspiring start to the year. It’s also the perfect time to tackle winter maintenance projects and prepare the holiday home for the coming season. Here are some simple and practical tips for winter projects to ensure your holiday home is ready for both relaxation and future rentals.

🧹 Practical guide: Winter projects in your holiday home

• Check the heating system. Ensure the wood burning oven and radiators are working optimally so you can stay warm when it gets really cold outside.

• Seal windows and doors. Check for drafts around windows and doors, and use weatherstripping or curtains to make sure the cold doesn’t sneak in. This helps minimise energy consumption and creates a warm and comfortable indoor climate.

• Clean gutters and inspect the roof. Remove leaves and debris from the gutters and inspect the roof for any damage.

• Look after the outdoor facilities. Cover garden furniture and drain outdoor taps to prevent frost damage – small preparations that make a big difference.

Spring: When life returns

After the festivities of Christmas and New Years, many look forward to warmer days. Dreams of the summer holidays begin to take shape, often leading to holiday planning – both for exotic destinations and for cosy stays at home. For many, this is also the starting point for tackling spring projects to make sure that the holiday home is ready for the rentals of the season and new memories in the sun.

Spring is the time to reopen the holiday home and let the first warm rays of the sun fill the rooms. The garden furniture is brought outside, and spring cleaning always feels like a fresh start. We plan the year’s projects to ensure everything is ready and looking sharp for the new season.

At our place, we have a "wild by choice" garden, and one of the things both I and the children love about it is exploring all the exciting critters. The air is full of life with bumblebees, hoverflies, and grasshoppers – there’s always something new to discover. A little micro-universe full of creepy crawlies, which both the kids and the adults can enjoy.

The many public holidays offer plenty of opportunities to both tackle practical tasks and to enjoy cosy days off together. One year, we hung a carnival barrel on the terrace, and the children took turns hitting it. It was a huge success! In spring, the local shops slowly begin to reopen, and I love visiting the small markets that emerge from their winter slumber.

Easter is the highlight. What’s special about celebrating Easter in a holiday home? Here, traditions turn into new experiences because you’re different surroundings than you would be at home. The Easter egg hunt becomes an adventure among the trees or on the beach, lunch tastes better in the spring sun on the terrace, and being surrounded by nature invites peaceful walks, where you can really witness the emergence of spring up close. Gathering branches with fresh buds is a tiny joy that brings the change of season into the living room. If you don’t have a holiday home yourself, Easter is a great time to rent one and gather your loved ones – creating special moments that might later become new traditions.

🧹 Practical guide: Spring projects in your holiday home

• Spring cleaning. Give the house a thorough refresh. Spring cleaning creates a fresh start and fills the holiday home with renewed energy.

• Garden and nature. Prune trees and bushes, remove dead plants, and give the garden a bit of attention – tame weeds and remove algae from woodwork and tiles. If you have a "wild on purpose" area, it’s a good time to ensure it’s healthy and not overgrown.

• Painting and repairing. Paint the outdoor woodwork so it’s ready for the summer sun and its heat. It’s also a good time to check if your outdoor areas need repair – wooden decks, fences, or doors all may have suffered through the winter.

• Rental tips. Give the holiday home new life with fresh flowers, cushions, and light decor to make it inviting for guests.

Summer: Long days and outdoor living

Summer is, of course, the peak season at the holiday home. All projects are complete, and now it’s all about enjoying the house. The terrace becomes the heart of the house, where we open the folding doors and let the inside and outside blend together.

The outdoor kitchen gets plenty of use. We grill fresh fish from the local fish shop and make colourful salads with seasonal fruit and vegetables. Our shelter in the garden offers the opportunity to sleep under the stars, and the SUP board is always ready for an adventure – even for our guests.

The highlight of summer is the long, light evenings when we gather around the fire pit, sleep in the shelter, enjoy the quiet, and marvel at the clear starry sky. It’s the kind of starry sky you can only experience far from the city lights.

We’ve had guests who’ve streamed movies on the terrace under the open sky – something I’d love to try myself one day! Summer at the holiday home is a time to live slowly and enjoy nature.

🧹 Practical Guide: Summer projects in your holiday home

Summer is the peak season for your holiday home, and it’s important to make sure it’s in good condition, both for your own enjoyment and for your guests. Here are some seasonal maintenance tasks to help keep your holiday home in top shape during the summer months.

• Clean the terrace and outdoor furniture. Remove dust, dirt, and pollen from the terrace, and check that your outdoor furniture is in good condition. Make sure the cushions are clean and fresh.

• Check kitchen equipment. Ensure that the grill and outdoor kitchen equipment are working optimally. Check gas bottles, grill grates, and utensils so you’re ready to prepare meals all summer.

• Fire pit and outdoor cosiness. Check that the fire pit is safe and functional, and ensure there’s firewood and equipment to light the fire. Perhaps even some tools to cook there.

• Take care of the garden. Prune bushes and make sure the garden gets enough water and care to thrive all summer long. If your garden is newly planted, especially make sure it gets enough water.

Autumn: Colours, cosiness and creativity

Autumn brings with it a special sense of calm. I love going on walks in nature, collecting chestnuts and leaves with the children. When we get home, we light candles, make slow-cooked meals, and enjoy knitting and other creative activities. We also like to light the fire pit and cook a tender and delicious stew in a cast iron pot placed in the embers.

The autumn holiday at the holiday home is all about movie nights and hot cocoa by the fireplace. One thing I haven’t tried yet is foraging – collecting mushrooms and other edible treasures that can be turned into delicious dishes. In our area, we find both mushrooms and sea buckthorn, so perhaps I’ll give it a go next autumn.

When it starts to get really cold, it’s time to close the holiday home for the winter. The garden furniture is put away, and the firewood stack is topped up for the winter. There’s something satisfying about getting the house ready for the next season.

🧹 Practical Guide: Autumn projects in your holiday home

• Prepare the Terrace and Equipment for Winter. Clear and store garden furniture, grills, and outdoor equipment to protect them from the harsh elements throughout winter.

• Prepare the Garden for Winter. Prune bushes and trees, and ensure they’re ready for the cold weather.

• Check Heating and Insulation Systems. Get ready for winter by checking the heating system, seals, and any insulation to ensure the holiday home is ready for the cold.

• Prepare the Wilderness Bath. Empty and clean the wilderness bath to make sure it’s ready to be filled with water for the colder months. Make sure it’s well-insulated and check that the heating system works, so you can enjoy warm baths even when the temperature drops. Don’t forget to stock up on firewood – both for the wilderness bath and the fireplace/stove.

The holiday home: My annual retreat

Our holiday home is more than just a house – it’s a lifestyle that follows the rhythm of the seasons. From the calm of winter to the lively days of summer, it’s always a joy to spend time here.

For those who rent out their holiday home: Tell your guests about the many opportunities your holiday home offers – all year round. Many people are not just looking for a holiday home, but a place where they can create memories, find peace, and experience nature throughout all four seasons. I hope my experiences can inspire you and your guests to make the most of your holiday home – all year round.

• Jeanett