Here are some ways to make the holidays special for your residents.
1. Resident Wrapping Station
Offer your residents the convenience of easy gift wrapping during the busy holiday season. Provide a variety of holiday wrapping paper, gift bags, tags, tape, scissors and bows to make the daunting task of wrapping presents a memorable and fun experience for your community. Want to step up your resident satisfaction? Offer an afternoon or evening of Santa’s Workshop where team members wrap gifts on behalf of the resident while they relax. But don’t forget to set a package limit per resident. If you don’t, you could be wrapping up until Christmas Eve.
2. Hot Cocoa Bar
The details matter, so why not take your coffee bar to the next level with a personalized hot cocoa bar. Aside from the hot chocolate mix and hot water, you can customize your bar with other items, such as peppermint, peanut butter, marshmallows, caramel, vanilla, whipped cream, cookie straws and so much more. Take the opportunity to go green and cut down on paper products by providing residents with branded coffee mugs they can refill daily and take on the go, easily advertising your community to everyone they encounter. The newest trend is making delicious hot chocolate in a crock pot for all to enjoy throughout the day.
3. Wine Down Wednesday
With the stress of the holiday hustle and bustle, offer a relaxing evening for your residents. Provide wine, refreshments and even an activity like wreath making or cookie decorating. Residents will enjoy socializing with others while sipping on wine. Take it an extra step further by offering private label wine branded for your community. This also makes great holiday gifts to send home with your resident. Don’t forget to serve eggnog and apple cider for our non-alcoholic guests.
4. Holiday Photos
Set up a backdrop, add garland and wreaths, place shiny bells and candles along with other special touches of your choice, and you have the perfect setting for your residents to take their holiday card picture. Add props for a fun twist and even invite Santa for an enhanced experience. Hire a photographer to ensure your residents are getting a quality photo to cherish for years to come.
5. Ornament-Making Party
Corral the craft supplies, invite residents, play holiday music and enjoy a fun time creating a unique decoration that will forever remind your residents of their time living in your community. Throw in the sequins, beads, stamps, pins, glitter and bells.
6. Elf on The Shelf
This is a fun activity to engage residents on your social media platforms and throughout your community. Host contests for residents to add captions to your Elf photos. Give away prizes to the first resident to find the Elf in your amenity space. Advertise your community to prospective residents by showing your Elf living its best life at your community. The power of visual content for Elf on the Shelf provides an entire experience that people want to talk about and share with their friends. The ideas are limitless!
7. Ugly Sweater Mixer
Who doesn’t love an opportunity to dress up with the possibility of winning prizes and bragging rights? Invite your residents to attend in their best ugly sweater and festive holiday attire. Add in live music or a DJ, food, and drinks to make a memorable holiday party for all. Don’t forget to take pictures and share with your community!
8. 'Tis the Season to Give Back
During the holiday season, it is more prevalent to encourage the gift of giving, and what better way to do that than partnering with local organizations. When holding events at your community, encourage residents to bring a canned good to donate to the local food bank, a toy to donate to Toys for Tots or a jacket to donate to Coats for Kids. Even consider donating on behalf of your community for a portion of every application fee received during the month of December. Make sure the organizations you partner with align with your company’s mission and values.