Apartment Blog

Okay, so everyone who lives in an apartment community is typically invited to a holiday party if their management company is throwing one. But rarely are residents inclined to go. There are a couple reasons, to say the least, but let’s focus on the reasons why they should want to go! And what management companies can do for residents to want to go! Take a look at our tips….

1. Interesting music…..hire a band or a DJ!!

2. Gift incentives! Gift cards are great for the holidays or shoot, how about a discount on rent!

3. Pets are a part of the family too, how about incorporating them in some manner!?

4. Pot Luck Dinner, each resident will feel more a part of the event if they have contributed.

5. Gift or Cookie exchange. Get some interaction and co-mingling.

6. Offer up crafts. Like a make your own Christmas wreath! Or something kid friendly, like the Advent Calendar Craft we posted.

7. Pictures with Santa for either pets or children.

8. A unique beverage assortment. For instance, a hot chocolate bar and sitting area in front of the fireplace.

9. Theme parties are always a lot of fun! Check out our Tacky Christmas Sweater Party Tips.

10. Christmas tree decorating. Have each resident bring an ornament to put on the tree. Have the tree displayed somewhere on the property for guests and residents to see.

11. Provide a greater service. Have the holiday party coincide with a charity donation/event.

12. Residents on the fly?? Have ‘cookies & milk for Santa’ baskets ready as a thank you for stopping by!!

Some other great ideas were providing games, like Cranium or a scavenger hunt, for residents to play; or offering up a wine tasting event with hour d’oeuvres. Whatever your apartment property decides to do, make sure you think of what the residents would actually want. Happy residents make for a happy apartment community!

Re-gifting….YAY or NAY?? While some find this concept absolutely repulsive, others find this completely acceptable. If you find this option, re-gifting, ‘okay’ then you might want to check out these tips before doing so! Believe it or not, even re-gifting has rules…..

1. Hold onto the gift a full season or holiday, this way enough time passes that it may be forgotten by others
2. Give it to someone in another social circle, for example if Grandma gives you your thousandth trinket make sure to steer clear of family and pass it on to a co-worker or friend
3. Make the most of White Elephant opportunities- half of the gifts given are gags anyway so use the game as an opportunity to unload unwanted items
4. DONATE them at the holidays- those angel trees never share about the person’s interest or hobbies, so you’re safe dropping off something “random”, just make sure it serves as a little extra in their bag and not the primary gift
5. Embellish it- feel like it was shafty when you got it?  Then add something to it like a gift card or bow to make it worthwhile…then pass it on!
6. Consignment shop here you come- this is mostly limited to clothing and accessories, but if your special gift fits the bill then take it in and see what you can make!  Note: this mainly benefits you and the store, but shouldn’t the gift have benefited you initially?  I see no crime here.
7. Door prize!  Ever throw parties like ornament decorating, holiday book club, wine tasting, or Bunco???  Why not giveaway a nice little treat to the first person in the door?
8. Is Secret Santa going on at work?  Make sure you sign up to participate and empty out your stack of “desirable” gifts to that special name you drew.  The plus to this is, you make space in your closet and seem generous at the same time!
9. Obligation gifts…we all know what these are!  Next time someone unexpectedly gives you a gift during the holidays, be prepared.  Have your gift wrapped and ready, they’ll appreciate you thought of them as well and it saves you from spending money on people who didn’t make your shopping list the first or second time around.
10. Knock, knock- The holidays are the perfect time to build a relationship with your neighbors.  They will appreciate the gesture and hopefully will remember it the next time you ask them to keep an eye on your apartment when you’re away!
11. And they didn’t even see it coming!!!  Take time to re-gift presents to people who wouldn’t expect anything in the first place.  Your mailman, maintenance staff, kid’s bus driver, office receptionist, and security guards work hard everyday- give them a little something to show that you notice!
12. Lend a helping hand.  Have you ever been to something where a person forgot to bring a gift or was unaware they needed one?  Save them from shame and let them use yours.

I know you know those people we’re referring to. The people you ‘have’ to like and ‘need’ to get a gift for. It could be a friend you’ve known through the various social circles you travel, or it could actually be a relative you’re not fond of. Whomever it may be, during the holiday season you are forced to come up with a gift idea suitable for them. Wouldn’t it be great if you could really tell them how you feel? Well how about doing it in a backhanded way through your gift this year?!?!  Take a look…..

1. For the friend who is always in debt and complaining about money-a ‘Managing Your Money for Dummies’ book (added bonus would be a piggy bank)!

2. For your smelly friends-a body wash gift basket set. She’ll think you’re just being sweet, but you’ll know the real reason why!

3. For the domestically challenged-a cookbook with a gift card to a restaurant. Just in case the ‘oops’ occasion happens (which we all know will)!

4. For the winer-literally a bottle of wine! Maybe even throw in some cheese. Better yet, a violin ornament. For the heart strings she’s pulling…….

5. For the friend with a POS car-a AAA Membership

6. For the friend who constantly talks about losing weight but can never seem to drop the chocolate-the ‘Weight Watchers Complete Cookbook’. (an accessory could be a scale)

7. For the single friend in your life-a frog statue with a note ‘kiss me, I’ll turn into your prince charming’…..then hopefully she can leave YOU alone!!

8. For the cat lady…..duh! ANYTHING with CATS!!!!! They’ll enjoy it, but you’ll get a kick out of the real reason you purchased it. Soon enough cat trinkets will start out numbering the actual amount of cats she has!!

9. For the friend who is WAY TOO chatty-a timer. Or better yet, if conversations always seem to circle back to her, a boomerang!!

10. For the ‘great listener’ friend-In one ear and out the other earrings. They are found at Uncommongoods.com

11. For the friend with constant drama-a set of Knife earrings. You could say it’s because she loves to cook……(but we all know the truth)! These are also found at Uncommongoods.com

12. And finally, sticking with holiday tradition-a Nutcracker! For the real ‘ball breaker’ in your life!  (nuts sold separately)

Hope this made you smile today, just thinking of the gifts you’d like to purchase for someone!! If you have any more ideas regarding gift giving for frenemies, let us know!! We all have them in our life….