Have you ever thought about what would make you happy in your profession? I’m sure the first thing that comes to mind is money, and of course that is true. However, what about those other unspoken things that factor into how happy we are at our job? Throwing money at the problem doesn’t always fix it, but sometimes a simple act of appreciation can go a long way in overall happiness.

NAA wrote a great article about Surviving ‘The Great Resignation’, and one of the big things we took out of that is “63 percent of those who said they were regularly recognized for their work were also very unlikely to look for a new job.” The days of easy replacements are over, and it’s time to invest and appreciate the people we have. Now, let’s get to the gift guide.

THE ULTIMATE MULTIFAMILY GIFT GUIDE

When you are ever at a loss for how to show appreciation to your incredible on-site team, this list will give you all the ideas you need at any budget for all positions ranging from leasing agents, property managers, maintenance professionals, regional managers, marketing teams, and even your residents. Again, it’s not about throwing money at people, but giving them thoughtful tokens to show that you see their hard work and appreciate it.

PROPERTY MANAGER GIFTS

These guys are working so hard keeping the entire ship afloat. They usually aren’t there for the bright moments that a leasing agent may get to see. They are the ones that are filling out the reporting, dealing with escalated issues, and training your team to be the best they can be.

Here are some property manager gifts and appreciation ideas:

• Funny Multifamily Mug

• Take Them Out To Lunch

• Have Their Favorite Afternoon Pick-Me-Up Drink On Their Desk

• Desk Succulent

• Home or Office Decor

• Some Flex Time (See Below)

• Dog or Cat Toys For Their Pet

• Gifts for their Kids

• Bag of Candy

• Funny Property Management T-Shirts & Sweatshirts

• Spa Night Kit with Essential Oil Rollers

• Personalized Note

• Shout Out On Social Media

• Extra Training or Ebooks
  

LEASING TEAM GIFTS

Your leasing teams are on the front lines of your apartment community. The more excited they are about your community and their job, the more that comes across to potential residents leading to both higher occupancy rates and less employee turnover.

Here are some leasing gifts and appreciation ideas:

• Creative Leasing Mugs & Water Bottles

• Surprise Them With A Half Day or Day Off

• Leasing Blueprint

• Decor For Their Home or Office Space

• Breakfast On Their Desk In The Morning

• Tech Accessories

• Afternoon Treat On Their Desk

• Funny Leasing T-Shirts & Sweatshirts

• A Thank You Card Signed by the Rest of the Team

• Leasing Baby or Toddler Clothing for Current and Existing Parents

• A Gift Relating To Their Interests Like Books, Music, Etc.

• Gift Card to Amazon or Starbucks

MAINTENANCE TEAM GIFTS

Your maintenance team is the foundation of your community, and are the unsung heroes of the multifamily industry. Remember, your maintenance team’s job is to fix the mess oftentimes when your residents’ emotions are on high. Appreciation of these literal magicians is key to ensuring everyone’s sanity.

Here are some maintenance gifts and appreciation ideas:

• Buy Them Coffee In The Morning

• A Mug For Their Morning Coffee

• Simply Say Thank You When You See Them

• Tool Belt

• Leave Surprise Post-It Note Thank You Notes

• Create A Snack Pack In Their Office

• Create A Grab-And-Go Snack Bar By Their Work Area

• Accessories For Their Tech

• A Thank You Card Signed by All Your Residents

• Hang Up Thank You Balloons In Their Office

• Funny Maintenance T-Shirts & Sweatshirts

• Acknowledgments During Big Moments In Their Life: Wedding or Work Anniversaries, Kid Graduations, etc.

REGIONAL AND CORPORATE GIFTS

The Multifamily industry is a tough one even in the best of circumstances. It’s oftentimes a thankless job. When things go smoothly, no recognition - but when things go off the rails, there is no doubt you will hear about it.

That’s why it’s so important to have a culture of support within your own team at the corporate or community level. You may not always get the thanks you deserve from your customer, but you can always get it from your team!

Here are some property management gifts and appreciation ideas:

• Celebrate Your Property Management Team’s Special Personal Moments

• Have A Surprise Lunch Spread In The Office

• Funny Property Management and Marketing Clothing

• Gift Cards To Amazon, Groceries, or Starbucks

• Property Management Mugs

• A Month of Half-Day Fridays

• Fun Home and Office Accessories

• An Unexpected Thank You Note

• Invest In Their Career Goals

RESIDENT & OTHER TEAM MEMBER GIFTS

Remember, your residents and other team members need some love too! Here are some creative ideas that pair with cheap goodies.

Here are some creative appreciation ideas for anyone:

• Chips: You’re all that and a bag of chips

• Goldfish: You’re a great catch

• Tea: Spreading the PositiviTEA

• Starburst: You Make Our Hearts Burst

• Donuts: Sweet On You

• Plants: Thanks A Bunch

• Mints: Mint To Be

• Popcorn: Life is Butter With You

• Lip Balm: You’re the Balm

• Coffee: We Love You A Latte

• Gummy Bears: You Make Us Berry Happy

• Cookies: We Go Together Like Milk & Cookies

• Balloons: Hope Your Day Is Poppin’

• Socks: You Knock Our Socks Off

Become a member and get matching designs for everything listed above and much more!

The Multifamily industry is a tough one even in the best of circumstances. It’s often times a thankless job. When things go smoothly, no recognition - but when things go off the rails, there is no doubt you will hear about it. That’s why it’s so important to have a culture of support within your own team at your community. You may not aways get the thanks you deserve from your customer, but you can alway get it from your team!