Events: Bonjour Brunch & 11 More March Event Ideas + Training
Bonjour Brunch
Step 1: Set the Scene
Use pastel décor, simple floral arrangements, and light French café music to create a relaxed, Parisian vibe. Add our pretty signage to welcome residents.
Step 2: Plan the Menu (Simple or Elevated)
Choose your level:
Simple: Croissants, pastries, fruit, and juice.
Elevated: Add quiche, fruit tarts, macarons, and a mimosa bar. Include orange juice, peach nectar, and sparkling water for non-alcoholic options.
Step 3: Create a Mimosa Station (Optional)
Set up sparkling beverages with labeled juice options. Use carafes for an elevated look without extra effort.
Step 4: Arrange Seating for Mingling
Use small tables or bistro-style groupings to encourage conversation. Keep it casual and welcoming.
Step 5: Add a Take-Home Touch
Offer a small flower stem or mini bouquet for residents to take home. It’s simple but memorable.
Spark Resources:
Add Some Whimsy to Your Events
Before your next apartment community event, ask: How can I add just one layer of whimsy?
Maybe it’s a playful rename, a surprise dress-up moment, a nostalgic twist, a tiny unexpected detail.
You don’t need a full overhaul. You need a secret sauce.
If your apartment resident events feel a little… predictable lately, you’re not alone.
Food. Drinks. Flyer. Reminder. Host the event. Done. Repeat.
There’s nothing wrong with that formula. But if you’re a property manager, leasing professional, or onsite team member trying to boost event attendance, increase resident engagement, and elevate your multifamily marketing strategy, there’s one ingredient that can take your events from “nice” to “wow.”
It’s whimsy.
Why Multifamily Resident Events Need a “Wow” Factor
Think about your favorite restaurant.
Maybe they serve something simple like spaghetti and meatballs. But there’s something about their version that makes it unforgettable. A presentation detail. A surprise ingredient. A little something extra.
That’s what we’re missing in so many apartment community events.
When resident events become purely functional and just check a box, they stop feeling special.
And here’s the truth: life is heavy. Residents are juggling work, finances, family, health, and everything else. If your event feels like just another obligation on the calendar, they’re less likely to attend.
But if it feels playful? Unexpected? Memorable? That’s when you create connection.
What Is Whimsy (And Why It Works in Multifamily Events)?
Whimsy is something playfully quaint or fanciful — especially in an appealing, amusing way.
In the world of multifamily resident engagement, whimsy:
Creates emotional connection
Encourages social sharing
Sparks conversation
Makes your community memorable
Increases repeat event attendance
When residents experience something unexpected, they talk about it. They text a friend. They post it. They remember it.
And that’s powerful for apartment marketing and retention.
How to Add Whimsy to Your Apartment Community Events
You don’t need a bigger budget. You don’t need more staff hours. You just need creativity layered onto what you’re already doing.
Here are a few ways to elevate your next multifamily event:
1. Rename the Event (Instant Upgrade)
Instead of just “Saturday Brunch”, try something like “Parisian Brunch Social” or “Sunrise Café Pop-Up”.
Same muffins. Different experience.
Inside this month’s Spark kit, there’s a fully designed Parisian Brunch resident event — complete with a shopping list, invite, and creative details. But here’s where the whimsy can really shine:
Staff dresses in Parisian-inspired outfits
A French café playlist plays in the background
A themed photo backdrop
Optional resident dress-up element
Now it’s not just breakfast. It’s transportive. That’s how you elevate multifamily resident events without increasing cost.
2. Add a Playful Twist to a Classic Event
Wine night is always popular in apartment communities. But what if you turned it into:
Wigs, Wine & a Good Time
Invite residents to show up in any wig. That’s it. Instant laughter. Instant photos. Instant icebreaker.
You can add:
A small photo backdrop
Categories like “Best Transformation” or “Celebrity Look-Alike”
You’ve taken a standard resident event and layered in surprise, which increases participation and memory retention.
3. Add Nostalgia
Nostalgia is one of the most powerful tools in resident engagement marketing.
Ask yourself… what did you love as a kid? What made you laugh? What felt magical?
Could you turn:
Game night into “90s Throwback Night”?
A book club into “Creative Writers Club Open Mic”?
Ice cream night into a “Build-Your-Own Sundae Social”?
Nostalgia lowers defenses. It invites play. It makes adults feel human again. And that’s community-building gold.
4. Layer the Experience
Whimsy works best in layers.
For your next multifamily resident event, think:
Visual layer (decor, backdrop, signage)
Sound layer (playlist)
Dress layer (staff or resident theme)
Naming layer (creative title)
Surprise layer (unexpected twist)
Even adding just one of these makes a difference.
Why This Matters for Property Managers and Onsite Teams
When you consistently host memorable events, here’s what you start seeing:
Increase resident satisfaction
Strengthen community culture
Improve renewal likelihood
Enhance your multifamily brand reputation
Make marketing easier (because residents talk and post)
In competitive markets, community experience is your differentiator. And that doesn’t require luxury-level budgets. It requires intention.
11 More Ideas for Event Inspo
[Designs exclusive to RESIDENT RETENTION and ALL-ACCESS MEMBERS]
#1 Creative Writers Club
A Creative Writer’s Club is the perfect way to give residents a voice, spark imagination, and create a storyline they’ll want to be part of. Choose from:
Open Mic Night: Short Stories & Poems
Guest Storyteller or Poetry Reader
Sidewalk Poet or “Pop-Up Poetry” Station
#2 - Walk in the Park Bingo
With two ways to play, residents can either stroll through a local park or explore their own community while marking off bingo squares along the way.
It’s a win-win: more steps, more smiles, and maybe even shouting “Bingo!” under the big blue sky.
#3 - Oreo Cookie Bar
Set up a cookie bar featuring America’s favorite cookie and invite residents to build their perfect bite. Create a simple but eye-catching display with a tray of classic Oreos, small bags of mini Oreos for grab-and-go snacking, and a few fun variations if available.
#4 Color Me Calm
Coloring kits are a fun way to let residents appreciate the joy and relaxation that coloring brings, no matter your age!
Set out a stack of cute, calming coloring pages.
Offer a mix of coloring tools.
Add calming music and herbal tea bags.
#5 Glamours Gala Watch Party
Bring the glamour of the red carpet to your community by throwing a fancy awards watching party, providing goodies for a night in, or just sharing some award-season fun on social.
#6 Team Appreciation Awards
Roll out a fun, red-carpet-style gala and host an Employee Awards Event to celebrate your team’s hard work. Create lighthearted award categories like Leasing Legend, Maintenance MVP, Resident Whisperer, or Team Player of the Year. Add simple touches and printed certificates or small trophies to elevate the moment without overcomplicating it.
The goal isn’t perfection—it’s recognition.
#7 Guess How Many Lucky Charms
Get your residents involved in a sweet contest. Guess how many marshmallows are in the jar and the lucky winner gets a prize! Simply fill a jar with lucky charm marshmallows (where was this option when we were kids?!), display your signs, and let people start guessing. You can have guess cards sitting out or people can guess online on social media.
#8 Holy Guacamole Chips & Dip
Holy Guac! Who says healthy can’t be hilarious? Set up a table with chips, guacamole, and salsa. Keep it casual and lighthearted—no RSVP needed! Simple, snackable events like this create spontaneous moments of connection, giving residents an excuse to stop by, chat, and laugh together.
#9 Gather & Grow Spring Picnic
As the seasons shift and daylight extends, it's time to "spring forward" with a refreshing apartment picnic! Gather your neighbors and friends for an outdoor (or indoor-friendly) celebration filled with fresh blooms, tasty treats, and lively conversations.
#10 Story Time for Bookworms
Foster your resident’s love of books with these events! Hold a series of book-reading events featuring your favorite short stories or books.
This is a great way to get the kiddos involved in reading, too, so don’t forget to include some youth classics!
#11 Ball Out Basketball Watch Party
With a few decorations, simple snacks, and a big screen, your “Ball Out” watch party will score major points with residents and create a winning sense of community.
Whether residents are die-hard fans or just there for the snacks, a watch party encourages connection, laughter, and new friendships—all without a huge budget.
