“A sense of community.” This sentiment is often expressed in five-star feedback of multifamily communities. A feeling of camaraderie is essential to create for your residents in order to boost their satisfaction—and your renewals—and the holidays are a great time to host events that promote meaningful connections. Community events provide excellent opportunities for residents to get to know each other, socialize with the office team, and create enthusiasm and a sense of belonging. Events also offer bragging rights on social media and appeal to prospective residents.
And while you are treating your residents, think also about your team. Employee feedback includes high praise for work environments that have a family feel. With an increased emphasis on mental health awareness and support, a fun event or outing can help strengthen bonds and release stress.
Resident Events
Mini Nutcracker Market: Host a sip-and-shop artisan market in your clubhouse or another shared space in your community. Invite local artists, craftspeople, and food and drink vendors to set up booths or tables where residents can shop for the holidays or simply treat themselves—all while mingling with fellow residents and team members. Consider having a door prize for one lucky shopper.
Bring Musical Cheer to Shelter Animals: Have your residents choose an activity that aids a nonprofit. Consider playing musical instruments to pets at a local shelter (see WildTunes.org) to build a sense of purpose and meaning among neighbors. Take pictures and videos to post on social media.
Cookie Decorating Party: Invite your residents and their children to the clubhouse for an afternoon of cookie decorating. Provide prebaked sugar cookies, along with icing, sprinkles, and other embellishments. Consider adding a table with holiday card-making supplies and encourage residents to create a card and message for a patient at a local children’s hospital.
Weekly Treats: Invite your residents to stop by the clubhouse each week in December for a special treat. Provide candy canes during the first week, followed by a hot chocolate bar, a fresh-baked cookie, a glass of family-friendly eggnog, or stocking/ornament decorating. Post reminders throughout the community and on your social media networks.
Bonfire with S’mores and Apple Cider Bar: Host a cozy bonfire on the clubhouse or poolside patio. Set up an apple cider bar and provide supplies for s’mores. Enhance the ambiance with twinkling lights and holiday music, or invite a student choir from the local high school to sing carols as residents come and go.
Team-Building Events
Holiday Traditions Potluck: Schedule a special lunch during the holiday season to gather your team together. Ask each team member to bring their favorite holiday menu item, whether savory or sweet, traditional or a new spin on a classic. Invite participants to bring in photos of their traditional celebrations and share stories of cultural significance.
Escape Room Outing: Treat your team to an afternoon or evening at a local escape room. Many venues have holiday-themed escape rooms that will bring your team together with lighthearted fun. Capture photos of your team working together to display in the office to further enhance the feeling of family.
Festive Fridays: Each Friday in December, invite team members to dress according to a different weekly theme. Consider ugly Christmas sweaters, pajama party, seasonally sporty, and Santa chic. Post photos to your community’s social media so residents can get in on the fun.
All these ideas for lighthearted, community-building events have a larger purpose: By bringing your residents and team members together for fun or to give back, you will help enhance that spirit of camaraderie, holiday giving, and universal togetherness that is felt so keenly this time of year.
