Fall is my favorite season of the
year. By October, the spring and summer storms are (mostly) over, yet it’s
typically too early for snowstorms, making it the perfect time to celebrate
Halloween. After all, who can resist the cool breeze of fall after a summer of
100 degree temperatures, the abundance of pumpkins on every patio and balcony,
and scary little ghosts and goblins wandering the streets looking for candy?
With Halloween the unofficial beginning of the Holiday season, what better time
to have a party? If you’re like me and love Halloween, consider engaging with
your tenants a little more during this wonderful time of the
year. Whether you choose to celebrate Halloween, or just want to celebrate
cooler temperatures, there are plenty of things you can do to make this October
31st an extra special time of the year.
§ Have a balcony/patio
decorating contest. Wildly popular during the Christmas holidays, a decorating
contest allows residents to bring out their creative…or their creepy side.
Create contest categories such as Scariest, Funniest, Seasonal, or Most
Creative, and present the winning residents with offbeat prizes to reward their
participation.
§ Do a community-centered
trick or treat event. Contact residents
to ask if they wish to participate. Later you can publicize the event as a safe
trick or treating option to area parents. On Halloween, kids and their parents
are given a list of the participating apartments, so residents that do not want
to participate are not bothered.
§ Who doesn’t like a
party? While a Halloween party is always great fun, consider having an adult
and a children’s costume party, with staff in costume as well (nothing too
gruesome or provocative). Have the residents bring the goodies and
apartment staff can provide the non-alcoholic beverages.
§ If you feel particularly
ambitious, consider creating a haunted house. Turn your clubhouse or grounds
into a dark eerie place filled with skeletons and spider webs. Make admission a
canned food item that can be donated to the local food pantry.
§ Tell a story. A ghost
story. Have a story telling evening at the clubhouse. Throw in the requisite
scary music and tell an old-fashioned ghost story with spider cupcakes and red
punch served afterwards.
It’s also important to keep your office stash of candy replenished for
the little ghouls and goblins that will make the leasing office their first
stop. By engaging your residents in Halloween, you’ll effectively eliminate the
‘tricks’ while providing your residents and your staff with a sure-fire treat
No comments:
Post a Comment