Cozy Up to Your Community: 20 Ideas for Engaging Winter Resident Events

It’s understood that engaging residents ties them more closely to their community, which in turn builds loyalty. Happy, connected residents stay longer, post positive comments on social media, refer their friends, and act as your informal brand ambassadors. Further, events build strong bonds between neighbors and staff, resulting in fewer resident complaints. Often overlooked is that community events also build relationships for employees; they feel valued and part of a strong team.

Wondering how you can create events that boost engagement with your residents and your on-site team? Here are 20 ideas that work.

1. Create Events that Support a Non-Profit

A wealth of research demonstrates that nonprofit events make people happier. According to Harvard Business School Assistant Professor Ashley Whillans: “We tend to see the greatest mood benefits when people are more actively engaged [in helping behavior].”¹ Ideas for ways to get your community involved range from hosting a coat drive, to volunteering, to visiting kids and seniors in a nearby hospital.

2. Scoop Up Some Fun: Host an Ice Cream Bar

This cool idea will have residents melting with joy! Load up on different-flavored ice cream and add sprinkles, gummies, chocolate chips, whipped cream, fudge, nuts, and cherries.

3. Host a “Deck the Doors” Decorating Contest

It will surely be a-door-able! Let residents showcase their design styles while brightening up your space. Ask local vendors to donate prizes.

4. Make it a Cookie-Decorating Party

These events foster team building within your community. By stretching creativity muscles, beauty and fun unfold for residents and staff alike.

5. Rise to the Occasion: Host a ‘Batter Up!’ Baking Class

There’s no better time to offer a pie-making, cake-decorating, or cookie-making class.

6. Get Crafty

Hosting a craft fair allows star crafters to shine. Ensure all artisans are welcome, from quilters to woodworkers to photographers to greeting card designers. Add to the excitement by allowing residents to vote for their favorite booth.

7. Wax Poetic: Host a ‘Wick-ed Fun’ Candle-Making Event

Depending on the holiday, supply appropriately colored wax for Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, and Valentine’s Day.

8. Plan a DIY Craft Event

You can also create works of art at the event by hosting a create-your-own holiday card, wreath, or ornament party. Stock up on supplies and let your imaginations run wild.

9. Host an Ugly Sweater Contest

We didn’t omit this one! Ugly sweater contests add festive humor. Remember to let residents vote for the tackiest choice of the night. Transform the contest into a significant event by turning it into a potluck.

10. Raise the Bar with Bloody Marys & Mimosas

Get residents’ Sunday spirits soaring by hosting a brunch that will leave them thirsty for more! Include bacon, celery, olives, cheese for the bloody Marys, and various juices for the champagne. Don’t forget to have an ample supply of non-alcoholic beverages too.

11. Hold an Ornament Exchange Evening

Host an ornament exchange with white elephant rules. Guests can “steal” a gift up to three times before they must select a new, unwrapped item. Set a price limit so that all gifts are on equal footing. Add festive food and a buffet, and you have a worthy holiday party.

12. Make it a Movie Night

‘Tis the perfect time of year to watch “It’s a Wonderful Life”, “Frozen”, “Die Hard”, or “Home Alone” together. Add popcorn and a trivia contest, and you have a party!

13. Play the Pajama Game

Even though pajamas seem to have become streetwear, having brunch with your neighbors in pajamas is extra fun. Turn it into a pancake buffet with exotic toppings and syrups.

14. Ring in New Year’s Eve with a Bash

With so many Americans concerned about drinking and driving, hosting your party on the property keeps residents safe and sound. Pick a theme: roaring 20s, disco 70s, or rockin’ 50s.

15. Bring in the Food Trucks

Food trucks are fixtures today. They allow residents to pick their cuisine as long as you can bring in a variety of vendors that accommodate a variety of palates and dietary restrictions.

16. It’s Bingo!

Watch the competitive streak of residents rise when you host a bingo night

17. Did Someone Say Trivia?

Dividing residents into teams and competing against each other makes for fun and laughs.

18. Paws for a Claus: Host a ‘Santa Paws’ Pet Photo Event

Renting a photo booth and letting residents bring their furry friends is a surefire way to their hearts. Make sure to post on the community site and social media as well.

19. It’s a Wrap: Create a Gift-Wrapping Party

Unwrap the solution to your residents’ gift-concealing conundrum! This event tackles the age-old question of how to wrap presents without spoiling the surprise faster than milk left out for Santa. Set the scene with a ‘wrap’ battle station:

• Roll out the red carpet (aka wrapping paper)
• Unleash a ribbon riot
• Tape down the competition with ample adhesives
• Provide gift tags that’ll make packages too cool for Yule
• Spice things up with a ‘hot’ beverage bar that’s sure to sleigh

20. Offer a Zen Experience

Many of us get overwhelmed at the holidays, making it a perfect time to offer a meditative experience. Allow residents to hit the pause button, remain in the present, and appreciate the season.

Leverage Your Lockers for Holiday Joy

Remember that your Parcel-Pending smart lockers allow you to conveniently invite residents to any of the events listed above. Make the invitations more festive by securing them with a candy cane. Using lockers as a distribution system, you can also securely deliver prizes from the door decorating contest to trivia night to the craft fair.

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Ready to kick off the new year with a smart locker system that keeps your residents’ packages safe and secure? We invite you to speak with one of our sales representatives today!

Ready to make receiving packages more secure for your residents? Lock in your secure package management solution today.

Sources:

1. Blanding, Michael. Why Giving to Others Makes Us Happy. hbswk.hbs.edu. August 15, 2023. https://hbswk.hbs.edu/item/why-giving-to-others-makes-us-happy