Traveling during the holidays hits a little differently. Between new routines, new cities, and a new assignment, it’s easy to feel like the season is happening around you instead of with you. But even if your “home” right now is a short-term rental or a furnished apartment, you can still create something warm, familiar, and genuinely cozy for yourself.
Whether you’re on a December assignment for the first time or you’ve spent the holidays on the road for years, a few small touches can turn a temporary space into something that feels grounded, comforting, and yours.
Here are practical, affordable, traveler-friendly ways to make your temporary housing feel like home this holiday season.
Start with small things that feel familiar
You don’t need a suitcase full of decorations or a storage unit of holiday bins to bring the season to you. Start with the things that already mean something.
Maybe that’s your favorite blanket, a mug you always reach for, a certain scent, or a playlist your family always has on in the background. These familiar pieces do more than decorate a room, they create emotional consistency, which is huge when you’re balancing long shifts with a whole new environment.
If you’re flying or packing light, something as simple as a travel-size candle, a small framed photo, or a holiday kitchen towel can shift the whole mood of a space.
Add a few quick, low-effort holiday touches
You don’t have to go full “deck the halls,” but adding a few seasonal details can make the space feel festive without cluttering a temporary setup.
A few easy ideas that travel well:
- A small tabletop tree
You can find inexpensive mini trees at almost any store in December. A two-foot tree fits on a dresser or counter and instantly adds warmth. - String lights
Battery-powered lights are light, cheap, and renter-friendly. They add softness to a room, especially if your housing has harsh overhead lighting. - Simple garland or greenery
A strand above a window, along a counter, or around your TV can make the space feel more intentional. - Cozy textiles
Even switching out a blanket or adding a couple throw pillows (which compress easily in a suitcase) makes a surprising difference in comfort.
These things aren’t big investments, and most can be donated, gifted, or repurposed for future assignments when the season’s over.
Shop small and local
One of the most underrated parts of being a travel nurse or allied traveler during the holidays is experiencing how different cities celebrate the season. Visiting local markets or small shops is a simple way to find inexpensive, unique pieces that can double as both decor and keepsakes.
Even something small, like a handmade ornament, a local candle, or a holiday print, adds personality to your space and comes with a memory attached to it.
If you love exploring new places, think of it as a tiny tradition you can build from assignment to assignment.
Create routines that ground you
Even if your schedule is packed, the right routine can make temporary housing feel less temporary.
Here are a few relaxing ones that fit into a holiday schedule:
- A morning check-in
Hot coffee, quiet music, five minutes of stretching, something simple that signals the start of your day. - A weekly treat night
Bake something easy, stream your favorite holiday movie, or call someone you love. It gives you something to look forward to. - A consistent bedtime ritual
Tea, a warm shower, journal time, anything that helps you decompress after long shifts and makes your space feel safe and familiar.
Holiday assignments can feel chaotic, so these little pockets of normalcy matter more than you think.
Bring your traditions with you
Just because you’re away from home doesn’t mean your traditions can’t come along. Modify them to fit your space and your schedule.
If you normally decorate cookies with your family, do a smaller version in your apartment. If you’re used to watching the same holiday movie every year, stream it and FaceTime the people who’d normally watch it with you. If you love holiday dinners, make a single-pan version or grab a pre-made meal from a local grocery store.
Traditions don’t lose their meaning just because the location is different. They’re meaningful because they’re yours.
Lean into connection, even from a distance
Feeling disconnected can hit harder during the holidays, especially when you’re working long shifts in a new place. Staying close to your people doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming.
- Set up a weekly standing call.
• Share photos of your holiday decor or your travel adventures.
• Ask someone to send you a video of your family gathering or pet’s Christmas sweater.
• Join holiday events or potlucks at your facility if you feel comfortable—many travelers meet some of their closest friends this way.
You’re not replacing home, you’re expanding it.
Let yourself create something new
One of the best things about being a traveler is that you get to build your own version of the holidays. No pressure, no rules, no big expectations. If your season looks different this year, that’s okay. Your temporary housing doesn’t have to be perfect, it just has to feel good to come back to.
A few thoughtful choices, small traditions, and personal touches can turn any apartment into something that feels like home.
And when the season’s over, you’ll carry those memories, and maybe a couple new decorations, right into your next adventure.