Looking for ways to keep your community engaged this winter? Don’t let the cold temperatures stop you from bringing your residents together. From indoor events to outdoor activities, add these creative ideas to your community calendar this season.
1. Winter movie night
There’s nothing like a movie to bring your community together. You’ll need a common space, like a community room, and a big-screen TV or projector. Pick a crowd favorite and obtain a public performance license — or select a film from the public domain. Encourage residents to bring blankets and pillows.
Want to take your movie night to the next level? Host a themed event. Decorate the community room to match the film, serve thematic snacks, and invite the kids — and maybe even adults! — in your community to dress up as their favorite characters.
2. Apartment-decorating contest
Let your residents showcase their creativity and holiday spirit with a decorating contest. Encourage residents to share photos of their festively decorated apartments on social media, and award a prize to the winners.
3. Ugly sweater contest
Which of your residents has the ugliest sweater? Show off the tackiest, cheesiest, and most spectacularly ugly sweaters in your community with an official contest. You can host this contest online — such as encouraging residents to post pics of their best worst sweaters on social media, tagging your community channel — or in person with a live panel of judges.
Award your winners with prizes like gift cards or a basket of holiday-themed goodies.
If your community is home to lots of four-legged residents, consider extending to your contest to cats and dogs to amp up the cuteness factor.
4. Ice skating event
Does your community have an ice rink nearby? Plan a community outing. This is a great way to promote physical activity and create opportunities for your residents to get to know each other. If your community is large enough, consider renting out the rink for a few hours.
5. Winter book club
Establish a book club to bring your residents together through a shared love of reading. Select a title, give your residents a few weeks to acquire and read the book, and then host a session or two to get the conversation going.
6. Soup cook-off
From butternut squash to chicken noodle, let your residents show off their favorite winter soup recipes. Host a cook-off with a panel of judges to identify the winner, and invite your residents to taste the top soups. Spread the fun by encouraging your residents to share their favorite recipes on your social media channels.
7. Sports watch party
Celebrate winter sports by inviting your residents to come cheer on their favorite team, whether football, basketball, or hockey. Provide food and drinks for everyone watching the game, and encourage your residents to bring snacks to share and wear their team’s colors. Browse more tips on hosting an event for the big game.
8. Hot cocoa station
Keep your residents warm through the coldest days of winter! Set up a hot cocoa bar in your lobby or outside your leasing office, and serve up hot cups of cocoa with whipped cream and marshmallows. Your residents will be thrilled to receive this sweet treat, especially on a chilly winter morning.
9. Charity drive
The holiday season is the perfect time to give back. Partner with a local charity, food pantry, or homeless shelter to organize a canned food, toy, or clothing drive. Then, place a collection bin in your leasing office, and spread the word to residents through flyers, signs, and emails.
Or, gather your residents to offer in-person help at a local nonprofit organization. Check out more tips on how to organize a volunteer event this season.
10. Winter crafts workshop
Let your residents express their creativity through winter crafts. Set up stations with simple but creative holiday projects such as creating holiday cards, decorating cookies, and making ornaments. Consider offering crafts for different skills and age levels, from kids through teens and adults.
11. Valentine’s Day party
Invite your residents to a Valentine-themed celebration in February. Play your favorite romantic hits (or check out this playlist for some ideas), and share the love by serving up themed snacks, from pink lemonade to heart-shaped red cookies. Keep kids busy with fun activities and craft stations, like cutting out paper valentines or decorating cupcakes.
Looking for more tips and ideas? Explore these great ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day with your residents.
Looking for more community event ideas?
Keep your residents engaged year-round with these tips:
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