Jingle Bells: Tenant Christmas Gift Ideas

General Landlording & Rental Properties
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Jingle Bells: Tenant Christmas Gift Ideas

Stephen E.
St Thomas, Ontario · Member since 2013 · 575 posts · 408 votes

Well, we are getting around to the most wonderful time of the year and that means tenant Christmas gifts. I know some Scrooge like landlords skimp on this but I am convinced that Christmas gifts build good will and are appropriate. Besides it gives me an opportunity to visit with the tenant and build the relationship. So Christmas gifts are here to stay. But then there is the question of what to give. In the past I have given gift baskets from Costco, the ones that are a wrapped collection of coffee, chocolate, cookies or similar. Costs range from $20-30+. I have also given wine, iTunes gift cards (for younger tenants) but none seemed to have been as successful as the one I came up with last year: movie tickets. Everybody loves movie tickets and when they are used to go to the theater the experience causes the tenant to think positively of the landlord as providing something nice. Costco Canada has two adult movie tickets with pop and popcorn included for around $25. A kid's ticket with a kid's combo of pop and popcorn is around $10. Lots of advantages to these: they are affordable, they can all be bought in the same place all at once, and the vouchers are easy to carry around. No car full of gift baskets or similar.

So that is how I plan on doing it but I welcome other good ideas. How many BPers are planning on providing their tenants with Christmas gifts? What are you planning to give? I was going to buy the movie tickets in a couple of weeks and start setting up visits shortly after but if there are ideas that are much better I will go with them.

BTW, for any complaining about Christmas coming too early and other bah humbug sentiments, I sing in a church choir and we are rehearsing Christmas music now and have been for a couple of weeks. The efficient landlord thinks ahead in all things and that includes preparations for the holiday season.

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Ursula B.
Involved In Real Estate · Winston-Salem, NC · Member since 2013 · 277 posts · 188 votes
11y

Last year we did $25 gift cards to Target for Christmas.  This year we decided to do $25 gift cards to the local grocery store for Thanksgiving instead of Christmas for the same concern that @Roy N. mentioned.  Our note said 'We are thankful for the tenants that call our properties home. This year, the turkey is on us!'  Mailed them out last week and have already received thank you calls.

I was just as excited to send them as I'm sure they were to receive them. And that's why I love being a landlord!

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  • Troy Fisher
    Specialist · Kirkland, WA · Member since 2013 · 1k+ posts · 817 votes
    11y

    My gift to tenants?  A rent increase!  hahahaha.  


    No but really.  I'm sending food baskets to ViVs (Very Important Vendors) instead.  They help make my life easier, and they deserve an end of the year thank you. 

    2Reply
  • Raj Gandhi
    Real Estate Investor · Saint Paul, MN · Member since 2014 · 145 posts · 60 votes
    11y

    $50 gift card to local grocery store.  It isn't exciting but pretty sure some of my tenants need it.

    0Reply
  • Igor S.Pro Member
    Rental Property Investor · Charlotte, NC · Member since 2013 · 110 posts · 35 votes
    11y
    I do the same thing- gift baskets from Costco and the tenants love them! I doubt many landlords do Christmas gifts but I do believe it builds the landlord-tenant relationship.
    2Reply
  • Roy N.Pro Member
    Rental Property Investor · Fredericton, New Brunswick · Member since 2013 · 7k+ posts · 4k+ votes
    11y

    While we do give periodic gifts to tenants, we try not to do so around specific religious holidays.  We have many tenants who are not Christian, and a Christmas gift could be unwelcome or, possible, insulting.   

    We also have tenants who, culturally, would feel compelled to give a gift in return - another scenario we would like to avoid.

    2Reply
  • Dave CarpenterPro Member
    Investor · Cedarburg, WI · Member since 2013 · 439 posts · 150 votes
    11y

    we did a gift card to the local grocery store and spices from a local company called pansies the thought was that these two things and help them cook a meal together as a family and enjoy the home. It was fun getting a thank you note from one of the tenants!

    0Reply
  • Dave CarpenterPro Member
    Investor · Cedarburg, WI · Member since 2013 · 439 posts · 150 votes
    11y

    make that Penzeys. Those from Milwaukee will know it! (Darn autocorrect)

    1Reply
  • Paul Ewing
    Investor · Boyd, TX · Member since 2014 · 688 posts · 467 votes
    11y

    Wow I really spoil mine I guess.  Homemade candy, pumpkin bread, banana bread, and a couple packages of steaks from the farm.  If they are real nice, I'll give them a bottle of mead from the bees.  Real estate agent, bank tellers, post office and a couple others will get breads and candies.

    5Reply
  • Alex Anderson
    Real Estate Agent · Milwaukee, WI · Member since 2010 · 129 posts · 24 votes
    11y

    I write a card and give a basket of clementines and Ferrero Rocher. My landlord did that and I really enjoyed it so now I do the same thing

    1Reply
  • Ursula B.
    Involved In Real Estate · Winston-Salem, NC · Member since 2013 · 277 posts · 188 votes
    11y

    Last year we did $25 gift cards to Target for Christmas.  This year we decided to do $25 gift cards to the local grocery store for Thanksgiving instead of Christmas for the same concern that @Roy N. mentioned.  Our note said 'We are thankful for the tenants that call our properties home. This year, the turkey is on us!'  Mailed them out last week and have already received thank you calls.

    I was just as excited to send them as I'm sure they were to receive them. And that's why I love being a landlord!

    10Reply
  • Alberto Cordova
    Realtor · Brownsville, TX · Member since 2014 · 66 posts · 12 votes
    11y

    @Paul Ewing  Thats awesome, going above any beyond.

    As a future landlord I would look into personalizing a Christmas treat. Like, gift card to dinner, gas card (might seem eh, I feel it would be appreciated) Snow globe that way if they have it up and they glimpse at it he/she/they would say "I/We have a nice landlord." Could be a start or a continuation of having a good relationship with tenants.

    0Reply
  • Alberto Cordova
    Realtor · Brownsville, TX · Member since 2014 · 66 posts · 12 votes
    11y

    @Ursula B.  Never thought of doing that. Wonderful way to start the Holidays.

    0Reply
  • Steve Vaughan
    Rental Property Investor · East Wenatchee, WA · Member since 2014 · 10k+ posts · 16k+ votes
    11y

    Great ideas! I usually do grocery store gift cards for the SFH renters, but can't afford much more than a card for everybody else, ya know? Besides, I can see them meeting outside their apts making fun of my cheapness! @Stephen E.   I like the movie ticket idea.  I will check if the local theater has a quantity value discount. @Troy Fisher  I forget about my vendors and other business associates.  Thanks for the reminder!  I have these great tellers at a little bank that take my multiple renter deposits every month, usually without a slip.  Bring on the gift baskets!

    0Reply
  • Steve Vaughan
    Rental Property Investor · East Wenatchee, WA · Member since 2014 · 10k+ posts · 16k+ votes
    11y

    Sorry to chime in again, but for tax purposes, how do you normally handle gifts to tenants and vendors/associates?  Advertising costs?  Thanks!

    0Reply
  • Roy N.Pro Member
    Rental Property Investor · Fredericton, New Brunswick · Member since 2013 · 7k+ posts · 4k+ votes
    11y
    Originally posted by @Steve Vaughan:

    Sorry to chime in again, but for tax purposes, how do you normally handle gifts to tenants and vendors/associates?  Advertising costs?  Thanks!

     We just put it under promotions and treat it as a business expense ... lots of times, as in the case of our move-in gift basket, we will get other small businesses in the neighbourhood to contribute a coupon to the gift.

    2Reply
  • Paul Ewing
    Investor · Boyd, TX · Member since 2014 · 688 posts · 467 votes
    11y

    There is a $25 limit for gifts per household.  I haven't worried with claiming the gift expense before but may look into it this year.  

    http://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/are-gifts-business-clients-deductible.html

    2Reply
  • Christine O'Meara
    Montreal, Quebec · Member since 2014 · 42 posts · 20 votes
    11y

    Hi BP friends! Nice to hear that some of you have a giving heart, especially during Christmas time ! I only have nine doors, so it is easy and fun for me during that season to make my tenants feel  that they, also, are special. After all, they are paying my mortgage...

    I make them one home-made lemon loaf and give them one bottle of wine and wish them well during the coming year!

    (Then I take a week's vacation in St.Marteen)

    Rent increase comes easy after that little bit of attention!

    0Reply
  • Valerie Reed
    Real Estate Investor · San Marcos, CA · Member since 2014 · 14 posts · 41 votes
    11y

    I've given Sees Candy gift certificates, which I can usually buy at half price if I get more than 5 at a time. And, even people who are anti-candy like them because they are easy to re-gift. And, you can choose what you want as long as it's 1lb. They even have sugar free candy (for diabetics) and chocolate free candy (for people with kidney problems). I've given Starbucks gift cards that have scenes printed on them that are specific to an area, like Hawaii. I get a lot of good feedback on those and people tell me that's the one Starbucks card they keep and refill. I've also given Home Depot gift cards to real estate agents (not tenants). And, it's not just a holiday season thing. I usually do it in the summer because that's when I have time.

    1Reply
  • Nik S.
    OH · Member since 2014 · 454 posts · 227 votes
    11y

    Funny this topic was started, I was going to wait until December to discuss! Glad you are all on top of things! Not trying to go OFF topic but wanted to work this in because I may just send out "Happy Holiday" cards to the building tenants. I think giving each a $20 grocery card would be awesome however spending $1000 for those building tenants (50 units) seems like too much of an expense? What do you guys think? Empty Cards or add $20 grocery cards?? 

    IN ADDITION, my other question is if I want to give my Property Manager who manages the multi-family for me, what is an appropriate gift? 

    Examples: $100,150,200,250? .....Despite the dollar amount confusion, do I give CASH from my pocket OR do I write a business check to her? I don't want it to look tacky. I am not too worried about the 'tax write off"...I am more looking for the appropriate situation. 

    Could my manager work harder, sure who can't..regardless, everyone should be noted on their work. 

    0Reply
  • Account Closed
    Investor · San Francisco, CA · Member since 2014 · 577 posts · 203 votes
    11y

    @Stephen E.

    To reward good tenants, I usually do $10-$20 Starbucks gift cards.   It's something pretty much all tenants will use, though I think even just sending Christmas cards would suffice.  If you send them Christmas cards, you'll already set yourself ahead from every other landlord they've ever had.

    1Reply
  • Roy N.Pro Member
    Rental Property Investor · Fredericton, New Brunswick · Member since 2013 · 7k+ posts · 4k+ votes
    11y
    Originally posted by @Nik S.:

    Funny this topic was started, I was going to wait until December to discuss! Glad you are all on top of things! Not trying to go OFF topic but wanted to work this in because I may just send out "Happy Holiday" cards to the building tenants. I think giving each a $20 grocery card would be awesome however spending $1000 for those building tenants (50 units) seems like too much of an expense? What do you guys think? Empty Cards or add $20 grocery cards?? 

    IN ADDITION, my other question is if I want to give my Property Manager who manages the multi-family for me, what is an appropriate gift? 

    Examples: $100,150,200,250? .....Despite the dollar amount confusion, do I give CASH from my pocket OR do I write a business check to her? I don't want it to look tacky. I am not too worried about the 'tax write off"...I am more looking for the appropriate situation. 

    Could my manager work harder, sure who can't..regardless, everyone should be noted on their work. 

     Nik,

    What's 1K in proportion to your monthly revenue? 

    Thought so ... give them the $20 grocery card. ;-)

    0Reply
  • Mary B.
    Real Estate Investor · Lansdowne, PA · Member since 2013 · 1k+ posts · 656 votes
    11y
    Originally posted by @Stephen E.:

    Well, we are getting around to the most wonderful time of the year and that means tenant Christmas gifts. I know some Scrooge like landlords skimp on this but I am convinced that Christmas gifts build good will and are appropriate. Besides it gives me an opportunity to visit with the tenant and build the relationship. So Christmas gifts are here to stay. But then there is the question of what to give. In the past I have given gift baskets from Costco, the ones that are a wrapped collection of coffee, chocolate, cookies or similar. Costs range from $20-30+. I have also given wine, iTunes gift cards (for younger tenants) but none seemed to have been as successful as the one I came up with last year: movie tickets. Everybody loves movie tickets and when they are used to go to the theater the experience causes the tenant to think positively of the landlord as providing something nice. Costco Canada has two adult movie tickets with pop and popcorn included for around $25. A kid's ticket with a kid's combo of pop and popcorn is around $10. Lots of advantages to these: they are affordable, they can all be bought in the same place all at once, and the vouchers are easy to carry around. No car full of gift baskets or similar.

    So that is how I plan on doing it but I welcome other good ideas. How many BPers are planning on providing their tenants with Christmas gifts? What are you planning to give? I was going to buy the movie tickets in a couple of weeks and start setting up visits shortly after but if there are ideas that are much better I will go with them.

    BTW, for any complaining about Christmas coming too early and other bah humbug sentiments, I sing in a church choir and we are rehearsing Christmas music now and have been for a couple of weeks. The efficient landlord thinks ahead in all things and that includes preparations for the holiday season.

    Awww :-) You should win an award for the most giving landlord for sure. I hope your tenants are worthy.

    Kudos,

    Mary

    0Reply
  • Nik S.
    OH · Member since 2014 · 454 posts · 227 votes
    11y

    @Roy N. 

    Your a gentleman & a scholar... How about I see if my water problem is resolved.. If so, I'll send you a grocery card & u can have a 6 pack on me :-)... 

    Business, it's all in good fun! 

    0Reply
  • Roy N.Pro Member
    Rental Property Investor · Fredericton, New Brunswick · Member since 2013 · 7k+ posts · 4k+ votes
    11y

     Obviously you haven't gotten to know me ;-)

    You could always give each of your tenants a new low-flow shower head for Xmas ... or splurge on new UHET toilets  :-P

    1Reply
  • Nik S.
    OH · Member since 2014 · 454 posts · 227 votes
    11y

    @Roy N. That's the spirit! Man of efficiency ! 

    Some of my tenants will still pay late no matter what I do for them! Only a few hide n seek players although! 

    0Reply
  • Troy Fisher
    Specialist · Kirkland, WA · Member since 2013 · 1k+ posts · 817 votes
    11y

     Nik,

    Assuming what they manage is large enough, your contract with them should include some sort of End of Year Bonus structure.  

       Annual Vacancy Rate > 90%? +$100

       General Repairs Budget Line Item +/- 5%?   +$100

       Tenant Satisfaction Survey > 90%? +$100

       No City Code Violations?   +$100

    Bonuses should be tied to the financial status of the property and could add up to a hefty 5-10% of the net profit of said property.  A properly designed end of the year (christmas bonus) should motivate a Property Manager to consistently re-evaluate their actions.

    2Reply
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