Whether you’re parked in the woods or right in your own driveway, RV life during the holidays offers a unique way to celebrate. It’s the magic of plugging in the lights on your awning, casting a warm glow on a crisp evening. It’s the irresistible aroma of a holiday feast wafting from a kitchen with a million-dollar view. It’s the freedom to be wherever you need to be—whether that's nestled deep in a national park or parked in the driveway, just steps away from the grandkids’ laughter.
Of course, pulling off a successful holiday takes planning. Managing the logistics of a remote campsite kitchen or running the "VIP guest suite" for a full house is a job for a clever host.
Whether you're a full-timer hosting a feast at a favorite campsite or temporarily turning your RV into the ultimate guest suite for family overflow, success comes down to three things: a savvy culinary strategy, thoughtful guest preparation, and a creative approach to embracing the festive spirit.
The Main Event: Tackling the Holiday Feast
An RV kitchen is a lesson in efficiency. When you’re planning a traditional, large-scale holiday meal, that efficiency is put to the test. But this isn't a problem, it's a chance to get smart. The goal isn't to try and replicate a sprawling home kitchen; it’s to think outside the box and embrace the unique perks of RV living.
And the biggest advantage? It’s not inside the RV at all—it’s waiting just outside the door.
Tip 1: Take the Cooking Outside
The single best way to gain counter space inside is to move the main course outdoors. Even with a counter top extension, that tiny oven is the bottleneck. Stop seeing it as the primary tool and start seeing it as a supporting player, perfect for warming rolls or a side dish.
The real MVP is the grill.
Smoking or even deep-frying the turkey outdoors isn't just a "hack"; it's a superior cooking method. It frees up the entire indoor kitchen, keeps the RV cool and clean, and often produces a better-tasting bird. A solid setup, like a sturdy camping table and a Camco Olympian Grill, can totally change the game. It’s not just a grill anymore—it’s your second kitchen, ready to handle all your outdoor cooking adventures with ease.
This strategy is your key to sanity. The turkey cooks on the grill. The pre-made casseroles can be reheated on the grill. The indoor stovetop is then reserved for only the quick finishers, like making the gravy.
Tip 2: Master the Prep
The difference between kitchen chaos and a smooth, successful service? It all comes down to the prep. This is the disciplined part of the job, and the work nobody sees. But it's what guarantees success. And a successful feast is decided days before the first guest arrives.
3 Days Before: The Audit
- "Fridge Audit" Day: Be ruthless. Remove every non-essential condiment, that half-empty jar of pickles, and any extra drinks. You are maximizing every square inch of cold storage.
- After your fridge is organized, it’s time to audit the pantry and countertop. Gather all your "shelf-stable sides." This means setting aside the canned cranberry sauce, any gravy packets, boxed stuffing mix, and other dry goods. They don't need to clutter your prep space.
2 Days Before: The Real Work
- "Chop Chop" Day: Cut up every vegetable your recipes call for—onions, celery, carrots, and potatoes. Store them in flat-laying zip-top bags, press all the air out, and stack them neatly in the fridge. This is a game-changing space-saver.
- Prep Your Casseroles: Get a head start by assembling and even baking your stuffing, green bean casserole, and sweet potatoes in foil pans. Once cool, they can be covered, stacked neatly in the fridge, and will be ready to reheat on feast day.
1 Day Before: The Final Touches
- Focus on "Just Desserts": Most pies, like pumpkin or pecan, are perfectly safe and delicious when stored at room temperature for a day or two. Bake them now, box them up, and store them on the table or a counter that's out of the way.
- Embrace the mantra "Cooler is King": A large, standard cooler is essential for storing bags of ice or keeping drinks chilled. For the ultimate upgrade, a high-efficiency Camco Portable Fridge takes things to the next-level. Precise temperature control makes it the perfect, food-safe spot to brine your turkey or store delicate items. This frees up the main refrigerator for the flat-stacked bags of prepped veggies.
- When you're working in a tight space, the right tools are everything. Gear that works efficiently and stays out of the way is priceless. Using Camco's Nesting Bowl Set or a Dish Drainer means you have the function you need, without sacrificing much counter space.
Tip 3: Managing the Aftermath
And of course, there’s the clean-up. A mountain of holiday trash in a small space is definitely a problem. Place a Camco Pop-Up Utility Container just outside the door. It's a simple, effective way to save valuable floor space and keep the kitchen clear for that second round of pie.
The "Rolling Guest Suite": Hosting with Your RV
Your main house is ready, but the family is arriving in full force. Enter your RV, parked in the driveway—your secret weapon. It's the solution to the "overflow" problem, transforming the driveway into a private, cozy guest house.
But this, too, requires a bit of planning. Simply handing over the keys isn't enough. The goal is to make your guests feel self-sufficient and right at home.
- "Pre-Guest" Shakedown: This is about function. It's not just about clean sheets. Does the heat work? Are the propane tanks full? Are the black and grey tanks empty? Not every home has a dedicated 30-amp outlet, but your RV can still work perfectly for overflow guests. To power basic systems like heat and lights from a standard household outlet, the Camco Power Grip Adapter (15A male to 30A female) is an absolute must.
- Comfort Factor: Make it a suite, not a storage unit. Is the RV level? Nobody wants to sleep on a slope. A few Camco Leveling Blocks under the tires will keep the camper level and the appliances working properly. And adding a simple outdoor mat by the steps keeps the mud out and the "welcome" in.
- Winter-Proofing: If you're hosting in a cold climate, a guest without running water is just going to end up back in your house, defeating the purpose. A Camco Heated Drinking Water Hose is professional-grade preparation. It keeps the water flowing, even in freezing temperatures, so your guests can make coffee, flush the toilet, and feel independent.
- "Polite" Conversation: Guests who aren't RVers won't understand holding tanks or 6-gallon water heaters. A candid, friendly note taped to the cabinet (a "cheat sheet") explaining water conservation isn't rude—it's helpful. It prevents a full grey tank or a cold shower on Thanksgiving morning.
Decking the Halls (Without Tripping Over Them)
Making an RV feel festive without creating a cluttered obstacle course is an art form. The key is to think small, vertical, and outside.
- Go Vertical and Go Outside: The floor is prime real estate. Don't use it. Use wall space. Battery-operated LED lights, lightweight garlands, and vinyl-safe window decals add maximum spirit with zero footprint. But the real opportunity is outside. The awning and patio area are your "front porch." This is where you can make a big statement. A few Camco Party Light Hangers are all it takes to string up festive lights.
- The Scent of the Season: The fastest way to make a space feel like a holiday is through smell. You don't need a 7-foot fir tree. A small stovetop simmer pot with cinnamon sticks, cloves, and orange peel will have the entire motorhome smelling festive. It's a huge sensory impact with a zero-space footprint.
- "Pack-In, Pack-Out" Decor: Think like a backpacker: opt for a small, 2-foot tabletop tree, collapsible paper decorations, and inflatable outdoor items that pack down to almost nothing. Prioritize items that are just as easy to store post-holiday as they were to set up.
The Big Picture
A holiday in an RV isn't about less. It's about experiencing more. More connection, more creativity, and thanks to the cozy nature of the space, more time spent truly together.
It's a different kind of holiday, one built with thoughtful planning, a little grit, and a focus on what actually matters. It’s a reminder that the best memories aren’t created in the largest spaces, but in the ones we fill with the most heart.
Happy holidays, and safe travels!
