Ultimate Guide to Apartment Trick or Treating
October 24, 2017 10:30 am 1 CommentAh, the joys of trick or treating: delicious candy, jump scares, cards, and decorations. But wait! Isn’t that only for houses? What if you live in an apartment complex? If you have a fair amount of kids in your apartment complex, follow our ultimate guide to make your apartment community trick-or-treat friendly, and a big hit with the costumed kiddos! Apartment trick-or-treating doesn’t have to be spooky or strange, and can be much more fun than going to houses!
Let me guide you step-by-step through the ultimate Halloween guide to apartment trick-or-treating. Transforming an apartment complex into a Halloween haven is not only possible but incredibly rewarding. Here’s how to make it a big hit with the little ghosts and goblins roaming your halls.
Understanding Apartment Residents’ Halloween Needs and Concerns
To make Halloween work in apartments, it’s key to think about how the building is laid out. With not much room and tight hallways, why not turn a common area into a spooky maze? This way, you use the space well and keep all the fun in one spot. It makes it easier for parents to watch their kids, ensuring they’re having a great time safely.
Building a strong sense of community is also a great opportunity on Halloween. Hosting a costume contest or a pumpkin carving event before Halloween can help. These activities let everyone show off their creative side, have a good laugh, and make new friends. It also makes trick-or-treating more friendly. When people know each other, visiting neighbors for treats feels more like visiting friends.
Trick or Treat Door Hangers
Help residents signal that their apartment is open for trick-or-treating with a cute, friendly sign that says so! Their neighbors may not want to bother them if they’re unsure they’ll be giving out candy. We’ve created some signs residents can hang on their doors to let families know who has candy ready to pass out. Feel free to use ours or make some of your own!
For the trick-or-treat door hangers, you can even add a space where residents can indicate if they’re offering allergy-friendly treats or non-food items, catering to children with food allergies or dietary restrictions. This thoughtful addition makes the event inclusive, so every child can participate in the fun.
To make your spooky signs even more inviting, consider adding a QR code that leads to a digital map of participating apartments. This tech-savvy touch not only modernizes the trick-or-treating experience but also helps families plan their route efficiently. Plus, it’s a great way to engage more residents in the fun, ensuring no one misses out on the Halloween cheer.
Door Decorations
To accompany the spooky signs, have residents to spice up their door decoration game to let trick-or-treaters know they’ve got the Halloween spirit. You can even set up a contest for the best decoration!
Remind residents they can use something as simple as fake cobwebs from the dollar store to signal they’re ready for the holiday, but encourage them to express their creative sides. They can decorate their doors to match whatever theme they have chosen for costumes or make it as spooky as possible. Make it fun!
If you need good ideas for apartment door decorations to share with residents, check out Pinterest for some inspiration!
Turn on Some Lights
Let residents know that lights are an easy and fun way to show some Halloween spirit. They can string up some lights on their doors and light them up to let trick-or-treaters know they’re home! Even if they don’t have Halloween lights, turning on lamps inside each apartment or on the front porch, can help kids see that they’re there with candy. Plus, it helps make the community safe for trick-or-treaters.
Don’t forget to decorate the leasing office and clubhouse! There are great DIY projects for Halloween lighting out there for you to explore—everything from milk jug ghosts to bat string lights!
Elevate the Halloween lighting game by using smart bulbs that can change colors. Set them to orange and purple for a classic Halloween vibe, or use them to create a light show synchronized with Halloween music. This approach not only signals that you’re participating in the festivities but also adds an extra layer of excitement for trick-or-treaters.
Safe Paths for Trick-or-Treaters
Halloween is all about having fun, especially when kids are excited to go trick-or-treating in the apartment complex. Make sure the walkways are clear.
To ensure the safety of trick-or-treaters, create a clear path marked with glow-in-the-dark tape or solar-powered ground lights. This not only helps prevent trips and falls but also adds a magical touch to the journey to your door. Additionally, consider placing signs with safety tips along the path, reminding kids to stay together and watch their steps, making the experience safe and enjoyable for everyone.
Foam Jack O’Lanterns and Flameless Candles
While fun, burning candles in carved pumpkins can be a fire hazard. Recommending foam Jack O’Lanterns with flameless candles lets your residents enjoy the holiday without the risk of fire. If your community does not allow candles, this is a great tip to share with residents so they are not tempted to break the rules.
Take the foam Jack O’Lanterns to the next level by incorporating LED lights that flicker like real candles. This creates a more authentic look while maintaining safety. You can also encourage residents to personalize their Jack O’Lanterns with paint or permanent markers, fostering a sense of community as everyone displays their unique creations.
Keep the Lights On
You might want to keep your property lights on a little later this week for your residents coming home later at night. Lights help decrease the risk of falls, as well as deter crime.
On top of keeping lights on for safety, consider organizing a communal area where residents can gather, share Halloween stories, or enjoy a movie night. This not only enhances the sense of community but also provides a safe and controlled environment for celebrating, especially for younger children or families who prefer not to go door-to-door.
Post Property Rules
Especially if you have rules in the lease for Halloween, you’ll want to clearly post these on your property to remind residents of things like noise ordinances, trash rules, and general behavior.
When posting property rules, use a creative Halloween-themed design to capture attention. This way the necessary information is conveyed in a fun and engaging manner. Offer a digital version of the rules through community social media groups or email newsletters, ensuring everyone has access to the information they need to celebrate safely and respectfully.
Check Smoke Detectors
Smoke detectors should regularly be checked to make sure they are functional, but it is absolutely imperative around the Halloween season, what with all the Jack O’Lanterns and candles you see everywhere. Give your residents some advanced notice and make sure those detectors are set up to avoid any tricks this Halloween.
Remind residents to check their smoke detectors with a friendly, Halloween-themed reminder notice. Include a simple checklist of safety tips, such as keeping decorations away from heat sources and not overloading electrical outlets, to prevent any Halloween mishaps.
Text Residents Safety Alerts
This Halloween, invest in your residents’ safety by texting them regular safety alerts (any news from the neighborhood, or reminders about property rules). Apps like AptsChat lets you text multiple residents at once through personalized messages. You can even create templates, and send memes they will remember or want to share.
Enhance the effectiveness of safety alerts by incorporating a feedback loop where residents can report any concerns or issues directly through the app. This not only keeps everyone informed but also fosters a proactive approach to community safety, ensuring a fun and secure environment for all.
Keep the Good Candy on Hand
Kids talk to each other while trick-or-treating. You can bet they know which houses have the good candy, which ones are giving out floss, and which houses are handing out caramel apples. You already know they’re going to spread the news. Make sure the leasing office is just as well stocked with a variety of treats so kids (and their parents) know you care.
Why Trick-Or-Treat in Apartments?
If you’re a parent wondering if you should take your child trick-or-treating around the apartment complex, consider these reasons why apartment trick-or-treating is safer and (likely) more fun for your kids:
- No traffic or crossing busy streets
- No bundling the kids up and covering their costumes, if you have an indoor complex
- The candy buckets will fill up faster, giving your kids more time to hang out with friends at home
Transforming apartment trick-or-treating into an unforgettable experience is all about creativity, safety, and community involvement. From tech-savvy spooky signs to inclusive treat options and communal gatherings, we can ensure a fun, safe, and engaging Halloween for all residents. Embrace these ideas to make this Halloween not just another day but a delightful memory in your community. Take the time to create a vibrant, inclusive, and spirited celebration that sets a new standard for apartment living. Happy Halloween!
If you’re interested in more apartment marketing ideas, contact us at Marketapts.com today for a free demo of our services. We design websites, handle online presences, and help apartments with everything digital marketing! We even have some helpful tips for residents too!
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Categorised in: Apartment Marketing, For Renters
This post was written by Chandra Lloyd
Chandra Lloyd is a writer for Market Apts with a focus on SEO copywriting and digital marketing for multifamily housing.
1 Comment
door tags are adorable, how can I get them for my properties. Do you have a link?