Daisy, I really like your idea of the pizza for new residents! We also suggest stocking the fridge with cold drinks, veggies, and fruit to keep everyone energized on their big day.

For move-in gifts, on move-in day, we have asked the resident what they want on their pizza, and when they want it delivered, and we order it for them. Move-in day is stressful as it is, and most people forget to think about food. I don't know how many times we've had new residents thank us profusely for taking care of that necessity for them! To keep the cost low, we pre-negotiate with our local pizza joint to get special pricing on our move-in pizza's. They've always agreed to give us great pricing, AND, it gives them an opportunity to give our resident coupons for future purchases.

Fir renewals - perhaps doing a movie-rental certificate & a pizza certificate? If you pre-negotiate your pizza prices, you can get better pricing. You should be able to do pizza + movie for under $20.00

@Rose...I love the idea of doing up those little gift bags to hang on the door...One of the least expensive ideas I ever did was once when we were doing unit inspections and I left a little ziplock baggie with a note that said, "You're a MINT of resident and we're so happy you're here" and then I put a handful of individually wrapped mints in each bag...I had a lot of calls thanking us for doing this...and it cost me something like .50 cents a resident to do...I picked up store brand baggies and went to Costco to get the mints...I keep the do-it-yourself business cards on hand for little things like this, so I just typed up the cards, printed them out, put them in the baggies with the mints and placed them on everyone's kitchen table as we finished up their unit inspection...

@Renee...I love the going green theme! I do a newsletter with 'green' tips, so that would fit in perfect...Thanks for the idea...

Hello Brenda, Rose, & Stephanie! I love all the ideas. One inexpensive yet impressive gift could be a bright pail (available at Walmart & Dollar Tree for $1-$3) that includes a "green" theme. Include baking soda, vinegar, and bright microfiber cleaning cloths along with a print-out on how to use them along with the green services (recycling, low/no voc paint, energy efficient appliances). You can include a lot for $10-$15. TheDailyGreen.com & Care2.com have excellent tips. Here's a link to an excellent example: www.care2.com/greenliving/make-your-own-...c-cleaning-kit.html#

Our FB page, creatingHOME is a place where communities share ideas on move-in/renewal gifts, resident events, and services. Please join in the conversation with us! www.facebook.com/creatingHOME

Let us know what you come up with, would love to see a pic!
Renee

I love the movie night idea! Unfortunately I don't have a budget that allows me to spend anywhere near $15-$20 each. I have about $75 total- for 80+ residents! so I have to be a little creative. I bought plastic gift bags from Oriental trading. $3.99 per 50 of them. Then bought little magnetic calendars, also from Oriental trading. I'll top it off with some candies and hang them on doorknobs for New Years. I try to get donations from Vendors to put towards retention too. We had over $300 in vendor donated prizes at our last retention party. :cheer: I have trouble getting residents to show up and get to know each other, so I announced that the prize raffle tickets would be given out to residents seen talking to someone they didn't know.

Thanks Stephanie...That does sound like a fun gift to give...and I love the idea of a movie night for them...

Unfortunately, I don't have a blockbusters in my area...I guess I should have said that I live in a small town with no movie theater, only 2 fast food restaurants, 2 gas stations and the local grocery store that costs a lot to shop at...I am about 20 minutes away from anything and everything...

I do like the idea of filling up a container with fun things for them, so I will have to start looking around and thinking about what I could do for that...

Thanks again...I know if someone gave me a bucket of cookies and candy bars...I would be in Heaven...grin...