Topic: Maintenance and office appreciation gifts

In need of gift ideas for just saying your appreciated to our Maintenance and Office staff at the properties. Working with a small budget. Thanks!

Invite them to your home for dinner, that is if you’re a decent cook…

We did a bowling outing before and it was so fun.
Maybe check Groupon

Staff lunch if that’s not something you do often

We had our vendors sponsor a maintenance appreciation day with food, drinks, gift cards, tool sets and AirPods.

Paid time off certificates.

We do homemade baked goods as a thank you annually. We also stock up on about 5 cases of Girl Scout Cooke’s each year, and hand them out at random times (we also stash some in the office for rough days).

Do a scavenger hunt with 1st, 2nd and 3rd place prizes. That way everyone gets a prize and has a fun time as well; developing friendships and mentors as well

Luncheon with Thank You Cards

Bottles of wine or craft beer are usually appreciated! Sincere words of appreciation are free and go a long way.

Wine testing outing

1/2 day off with pay and a luncheon

Home Depot or Lowe’s gift card.

I try to personalize my “thank you for all you do” gifts by listening to what their favorites are (food, drinks, Resturaunt’s, hobbies) Taking my staff out on the boat tomorrow to get some sun & relaxation, as long as it’s genuine, that’s what matters.

Our guys just got these fans that look like headphones and hang around their neck, plus cooling towels and a bunch of beef jerky. We are in the south so its super hot. They also have these magnetic umbrellas that you can stick to AC units for shade while your guys are working on them, they've been amazing. Best invention ever.

A nice taco spread can never go wrong and mYbe surprise them with a half day after lunch.

Let them go home early in a Friday!

Money says you appreciate them the best

We celebrate Maintenance Appreciation Week every year. Same goes for the inside team. Posted photos of what some properties did to show their appreciation.

My guys love getting food, dessert etc or $5 gift card for food

We have done:
- Staff lunches
- Small token gift cards
- Bonuses (for leasing and maintenance)
- Make their work environment more comfortable/easier (new furniture, iPads for maintenance, new computers for leasing staff, etc).

Admittedly, we need to do more. Was thinking about a mini-golf outing or some group activity.

I used to give movie tickets, but with the pandemic that may not be best anymore, but Fandango gift cards cover a wide variety of venues. Another idea is Amazon or Walmart gift cards between the two of them there isn't anything left out. If you have a RedBox movie rental in your area they are a good source to rent movies and they also have online streaming rentals, everyone likes a good movie. The flavored popcorn with cheese or caramel is a pretty safe bet. You may have some cultural venues, like art museums in the area that you can get a deal on if you buy a certain amount of tickets. I used to get a book of adult movie passes at a discount from the AMC theaters, but they have many new programs now. One year as a group event I found a local observatory that you could rent and have a group look through the telescope at the planets, something that many people never get a chance to do in their life. Think locally and out of the box for a unique gift that shows your sincerity.

I’ve taken my team out in the past for go-cart racing.  Everyone loved it, and the arcade games that were there as well.  Follow up with group lunch if budget allows…