How to Make Your Residents Feel Special This Holiday Season
November 24, 2021 8:00 am Leave your thoughtsIt’s the season of giving, and the time is here to make your residents feel special this holiday season. Whether it’s through thoughtful gifts, festive events, or simply taking the time to show appreciation, these small gestures can make a big impact on how residents feel about your property. You have the opportunity to foster a sense of belonging, turning your apartment complex into a true home for those who live there. The more that you can increase your resident’s happiness, the better off your property growth will be in the long run.
Get ready to make your residents feel right at home this season and create lasting memories that go beyond just the holidays! From personalized notes of gratitude to cozy community gatherings, there’s no shortage of ways to spread cheer and build stronger retention within your apartment community.
1 – Send Thank You Notes
Sending thank you notes is a thoughtful way to show your residents that you appreciate them. It’s also a budget-friendly resident retention effort that can be easily created and executed by your leasing team! Here are some ideas on how to make this gesture meaningful:
Personalized Handwritten Cards
- For smaller communities: Handcraft or write personalized thank you cards for each resident.
- Make it personal: Include specific messages that highlight positive contributions residents have made to the community.
Virtual Thank You Notes
- For larger communities: Send digital thank-you notes through email or an online resident portal.
- Easy to send: Virtual notes can be quickly customized and reach all residents in an efficient, eco-friendly way.
Creative Touches
- Include small tokens of appreciation: Consider adding a small gift card to a local coffee shop, a discount on rent, or a free amenity service like a car wash or housekeeping.
- Celebrate “Thank You Week”: Create a week-long event where residents receive a different note or small gift each day. It can build excitement and show continued appreciation.
Thank you notes can have a significant impact on fostering loyalty among residents. When residents feel appreciated, they are more likely to stay in your community, leading to higher retention rates. Additionally, expressing gratitude can encourage lease renewals and increase the likelihood that residents will refer friends and family to your property.
2 – Start A Raffle
Take your holiday giving to the next level with a fun raffle for your community! It’s an easy way to get everyone involved and spread some festive cheer. It is also an affordable way to give gifts to your community.
How to Enter: Encourage residents to enter by completing simple actions like attending events, paying rent on time, or filling out a survey. Offer multiple entries for different activities to give them more chances to win.
Offer Great Prizes
Big Prizes: Offer high-value gifts, such as a holiday gift basket, gift cards, or even a weekend getaway, to make the raffle more enticing.
Smaller Prizes: Include fun items like home decor, vouchers for local restaurants, or tickets to nearby events for a chance to win something special.
Exclusive Prizes: Think about offering unique prizes, like a free month of parking or access to premium amenities, to add an extra incentive.
Draw Winners & Celebrate
Frequent Drawings: Hold weekly or bi-weekly drawings to keep the excitement going and give residents more chances to win.
Raffle Party: Host a small event to announce the winners. You can do this in person or online so everyone can join in on the fun.
Announce Winners: Share the winners’ names on your community’s social media or in the newsletter so everyone can celebrate together.
3 – Host Holiday Events
The holidays are a great time to host fun, low-key events for your residents. Plan a variety of occasions that your residents can enjoy. Your resident events don’t have to be extravagant. The point is that you’re showing up for your community and giving them opportunities to enjoy better living. You can take an idea from this list and turn it into the perfect holiday event!
Event Ideas
- Holiday Potluck or Dinner: Invite residents to bring a dish and share a meal. Add a fun twist with a small competition for the best dish or dessert.
- Cookie Decorating or Craft Workshop: Set up a station for decorating cookies or making holiday crafts like ornaments or wreaths.
- Ugly Sweater Contest: Encourage residents to wear their most festive or silly sweaters and offer prizes for the best (or worst) outfits.
- Holiday Movie Marathon: Host a cozy movie night with classic holiday films, popcorn, and hot cocoa.
- Charity Drive: Organize a toy, food, or clothing drive to give back to the community. Offer small rewards for those who donate.
- Holiday Game Night: Set up a game night with board games, trivia, or a holiday-themed scavenger hunt.
Tips for Successful Events
When planning holiday events, keep it simple. Small gatherings, like a coffee and cookies morning or a craft session, can be just as fun and engaging as larger, more elaborate events. These smaller activities allow residents to relax and enjoy themselves without feeling overwhelmed. Don’t forget to promote your event in advance using flyers, emails, and social media. Sending out reminders in the days leading up to the event ensures that residents know about it and can plan to attend.
4 – Ask For Feedback
Asking for feedback helps you connect with residents and shows that their opinions matter. Send short, personalized email surveys asking for input on things like amenities or events, and offer an incentive, such as a chance to win a gift card, to encourage responses. You can also create a feedback form on your resident portal for year-round comments.
5 – Sub 4 Santa
As the holidays approach, it’s important to remember that this time of year can be different for everyone. While many of your residents celebrate Christmas, there are likely families in your community who may not celebrate it in the same way or even at all. For some, the holidays can bring added stress due to financial difficulties, distance from family, or cultural differences. Being mindful of these variations in traditions can help create a more inclusive, supportive atmosphere in your community.
Organize a Sub 4 Santa or Gift Drive
One thoughtful way to give back during the holiday season is by organizing a Sub 4 Santa (Substitute for Santa) event. This initiative focuses on helping families who may be struggling financially by providing gifts or essentials they need. You could set up a donation program where residents can sponsor families in need by purchasing gifts, food, or even necessities like toiletries or clothing.
- How to Organize: Create a list of families who need support (with their permission) and share it anonymously with residents who want to participate. Alternatively, set up a system where residents can drop off gifts or donations in a central location.
- Incentivize Participation: Encourage involvement by offering small incentives like recognition in a community newsletter or a thank-you note. You could also host a “gift-wrapping party” where residents gather to wrap the donated presents together.
Partner with Local Charities
If organizing a large-scale gift drive within your community doesn’t seem possible, consider partnering with a local charity or food bank that supports families in need during the holidays. This can be an opportunity to help those outside your immediate community while still making a positive impact locally.
- Donation Drives: Organize a collection for a local charity, such as a toy drive, food bank, or coat collection. This can be done in a few simple steps—set up collection bins in common areas and advertise the drive via email, flyers, or social media. Consider scheduling a “donation day” where residents bring their contributions in person for a sense of community participation.
- Volunteering Opportunities: Encourage residents to volunteer at local shelters, food banks, or community centers. Volunteering together fosters a sense of unity and allows residents to directly contribute to the welfare of their local community.
6 – Celebrate Diversity
It’s essential to plan events that are inclusive of all cultures and beliefs. Instead of focusing on specific holidays, consider creating events that celebrate the spirit of the season, while recognizing the diverse ways that people celebrate.
- Holiday Around the World Event: Host a “Holiday Around the World” event where residents can share how they celebrate their own cultural or religious traditions during this time of year. This could be a potluck, a storytelling night, or an international gift exchange that highlights different customs and traditions.
- Winter Celebration: Hold a simple winter celebration that focuses on the season itself, with activities like winter crafts, ice skating, a hot cocoa bar, or a winter movie night. These types of events are festive without being tied to any specific holiday, making them inclusive for all residents.
The holidays can be a challenging time for many, especially for those experiencing financial strain or personal hardships. Be mindful of these circumstances and offer support where possible.
7 – Giveaway Decorations
Holiday decorations can make apartments feel festive, but not everyone has the budget to decorate. You can help by offering affordable decoration bundles with items like string lights, small ornaments, or candles. Small, artificial Christmas trees are another great idea for families who can’t afford one, and you could organize a sign-up or tree pick-up event to bring neighbors together.
Another option is hosting a decorating workshop to teach residents how to make simple, budget-friendly decorations, like DIY wreaths or ornaments. These small gestures show you care about your residents’ holiday experience and help create a warm, inclusive community where everyone can feel the holiday spirit.
8 – Resident Gifts
If your property size allows, consider giving your residents a small gift to show your appreciation during the holiday season. It doesn’t have to be expensive—sometimes the simplest gestures are the most meaningful. Here are a few ideas:
- Holiday Cards or Notes: A handwritten card expressing your gratitude can go a long way. It’s a personal touch that shows you care about each resident individually.
- Bag of Treats: You can hand out small bags of holiday treats like cookies, hot cocoa packets, or festive popcorn. These are easy to put together and budget-friendly.
- Gift Cards: A small gift card to a local coffee shop, grocery store, or online retailer is always appreciated and allows residents to pick something they’ll enjoy.
If you want to offer something unique and festive, you could also prepay for a food truck to visit your community. Having a food truck come to your property gives residents a fun, convenient way to enjoy delicious food without leaving home. It’s a great way to bring the community together, especially around the holidays.
9 – Additional Amenities
This holiday season, think about how you can go above and beyond by adding a few extra amenities to make your community feel even more special. Small touches can make a big impact on residents and create a warm, festive atmosphere.
- Holiday Coffee Bar: Set up a cozy coffee bar in the clubhouse with hot cocoa, coffee, and holiday-themed flavors like peppermint or cinnamon. You could also include some grab-and-go treats like cookies or pastries for residents to enjoy.
- Ongoing Holiday Treats: Offer a rotating selection of holiday treats, such as cookies, muffins, or snacks, in the clubhouse or common areas. You could change the offerings weekly, so residents always have something new to look forward to.
- Holiday Music or Movie Nights: Host themed movie or game nights in the clubhouse with classic holiday films or festive games. Add some popcorn, blankets, and hot drinks to make it a cozy experience.
- Gift Wrapping Station: Set up a small gift-wrapping station with supplies like wrapping paper, ribbons, and tags, so residents can wrap their gifts easily without needing to go out. It’s a thoughtful and practical touch that’s sure to be appreciated.
10 – Neighborhood Service
Improving the area around your community can have a big impact on your residents and show that you care. You can organize a neighborhood clean-up day where residents help pick up trash, trim bushes, or plant flowers. This makes the area look nicer and helps residents feel proud of where they live. You can also organize a service project, like volunteering at a local shelter or holding a donation drive for toys or coats. These actions show that you care about both your residents and the neighborhood.
11 – Monthly Newsletter
Open communication is key to building a strong community. A simple monthly newsletter keeps residents informed about what’s happening in your apartment complex and the surrounding area.
Include updates on upcoming events, maintenance schedules, or new amenities. You can also highlight residents’ achievements, like anniversaries or community involvement, to make them feel recognized. Share local news, such as charity drives or neighborhood festivals, to strengthen ties with the area.
Use the newsletter for holiday reminders, safety tips, or important contact information. A well-timed newsletter shows that you care and helps residents feel like a priority. Even small efforts like this can make a big difference in how they feel about where they live.
Bring Holiday Cheer to Your Residents’ Doorsteps
With just a little effort, you can make your residents’ holidays feel extra special and create lasting memories. Bringing holiday cheer to your residents’ doorsteps is a simple yet meaningful way to spread joy this season, and can have a lasting impact on your property.
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Categorised in: Apartment Marketing, Resident Retention
This post was written by Isabella Housel
Isabella Housel is a passionate and versatile professional writer with a deep love for words and a commitment to crafting compelling content that engages, informs, and inspires. With many years of experience in the industry, she has honed her skills across various genres, from creative storytelling to informative articles and technical documentation.