It’s October, which means it’s officially spooky season! (But it’s not holiday season yet. Are you listening, my neighbors who just put up your Christmas lights?) This also means that it’s the perfect time to start planning some Halloween events for your residents. And, sure, you could just put out a bowl of Reese’s peanut butter cups and call it a day, and everyone would be happy. Ecstatic, even. But why not take the time to try something different, have a some fun and be a little extra, in the best way? Plus, you’d be helping with resident retention and getting great content for your social media pages, which you can use in future marketing campaigns. And did I mention, candy?
Here are a few new suggestions for Halloween apartment events for your residents:
- Host a themed costume contest. This year, there are only three acceptable choices, as listed below. I will be taking no further questions at this time.
- Barbies (and Kens)—Barbies can be from the movie, but bonus points for more obscure dolls. (I’m looking at you, Rappin’ Rockin’ Barbie and Butterfly Art Ken!)
- Taylor Swift eras
- Characters from Wednesday, especially if you incorporate Thing
- Host a themed costume contest for the onsite team. Residents can vote on the winner. Again, the theme must be one of the ones listed above. I don’t make the rules.
- Create creepy cocktails. Make sure they have spooky names! And include virgin options, so everyone can enjoy.
- Put out tons of inflatable Halloween decorations or 10-ft skeletons. Lean into the tackiness! Encourage residents to take pictures with all the blow-up spiders, witches and Michael Myerses.
- Have a pumpkin tossing contest. It’s a thing. Just make sure it’s not near any windows.
- Make candy wreaths. Renters can put them up on their apartment doors! Here’s a video on how to make them.
- Have a pet costume parade. This is adorable and mandatory.
- Offer hayrides. And of course serve apple cider doughnuts. (This is more “fall” than “Halloween,” but I’ll allow it.)
- Play some Halloween team games. For example, who can make their teammate into the best toilet paper mummy?
- Light a campfire and take turns telling spooky stories. Firepits or fake indoor fires are perfectly fine to use.
- Have a Halloween cookie contest. The victor eats the spoils.
- Go door to door and collect everyone’s candy corn, and throw it out. It’s an important public service.
What are you doing for your residents for Halloween this year? I’d love to hear your thoughts! Send a tweet to @MHNOnline or @jfiur, send a Threads message to @jfiur, or send me a message on LinkedIn.
