(#566) 31 WAYS TO SPOIL YOUR RESIDENTS
This is a big one.
Save this page! Bookmark it, screenshot it, print it out and hang it up! Do whatever you’ve gotta do to keep it in mind. Choose one (or a few) of these to show some resident appreciation.
Do your residents know how much you appreciate them? It’s so important to show them that you are grateful they picked your community to make their home.
TUNE IN TO BARBARA’S PODCAST ABOUT THE SUBJECT on ITunes or Spotify.
DOWNLOAD YOUR CHECKLIST OF IDEAS HERE
Click to download. Search for more options HERE.
1.) Start a Compliment Wall
Part of your role as a leasing professional is to create a home at your community - for everyone. It’s an intimate part of your job that can reach the hearts of your residents (and get them to renew). Get your residents in the giving mood by starting off with some compliments. Use this Daily Dose to infuse something to cheer residents up in unexpected places. Here’s how to do it:
How to make it happen?
Try this in the laundry center or the mailroom. Pick a place that’s not so exciting and would be happy to have a spruce-up.
Give the room a facelift with chalkboard contact paper and a large frame!
Keep a bucket of colorful chalk right next to it for residents to use.
Get the compliments started with a few for your residents!
“ ____ Apartments team loves our residents! We have the best people making up our community”
“Our residents are the best! Their happy faces make it a pleasure to come to work every day!”
Be sure to take photos and post on your social media sites to spread the love.
Grab all of the designs HERE
2.) START A SENIOR FRIDGE FILL UP INITIATIVE
Can you imagine what a fridge full of love could mean to a senior?
Pick one senior and stock up their fridge or pantry with goodies! It’s beautiful to give back to residents, and really brighten someone's day. You’re helping out someone’s parent or grandparent; imagine the long-lasting impression that would make!
This is an especially fantastic gesture for someone who may be on a fixed income and who would appreciate (and maybe is in need of) the extras.
Remember: resident retention leads to great word of mouth marketing.
How to make it happen?
Select a resident. You could do a random drawing, a contest, or select your longest-tenured resident. You’ll need to let them know they’ve been selected for a fridge fill up - no need to sneak in when they aren’t home.
Ask for any dietary restrictions! No fun getting snacks you can’t enjoy.
Grab a cute box and fill it to the brim!
Be sure to include a cute graphic, and deliver it to their home!
3.) HELP YOUR RESIDENTS SEND A LONG-DISTANCE HUG THIS SEASON
So many of our residents don’t live near their families. Oof, that’s tough. :( Kids who don’t live with parents, or parents are divorced, or their grandkids or grandparents live miles away. This Daily Dose is a great event for your residents to boost retention, and cover a bit of outreach (think of the recipients!) Send a long-distance “HUG” to these families to warm hearts - for both recipients and your residents. We can imagine few gifts sweeter than opening a life-size hug from a family member!
How to make it happen?
Grab your Sprout graphics and post them on social media, and around the community to invite your residents to come in for this easy event.
Provide all the materials for kids to create their life-sized postcards!
Some rolls of paper
Markers, crayons, and stickers - think kid-friendly here; decorations that don't stain or need drying time.
Large Envelopes
Postage (if applicable)
Trace out kids’ outstretched arms, hands and heads on the paper.
Let kids color themselves in, and decorate with supplies you provided.
Once they’ve finished, fold it up and send it off in an envelope. Check your budget - You can even cover the postage and send to their recipient of choice, too.
4.) SPREAD LOVE TO YOUR RESIDENTS WITH SURPRISE NOTES
Imagine it’s Monday morning, and you’re rushing to get out the door. You get to your car and see a note that says “Have a great day, number one mom!” or “You’re the best resident. We are thankful for you!” That would make our day, and we are sure your residents would love it too! Spread the love and make someone’s day with an unexpected surprise note.
How to make it happen?
Get together a list of residents you’d like to surprise or decide to do a blitz with your whole team and do it for all the cars in the parking lot.
Print out your compliments on card-stock (so they’ll last longer)
You can start generic with “Looking sharp! Have a great day!” or get a bit more personal if you know them well. “Good luck on your marathon!” “Have fun on your family vacation!”
Pick a day and assign a team member to head out before everyone is up and out the door to plant the surprises.
If the weather doesn’t permit, or their car isn’t accessible, you may opt to leave at the doorstep as a better choice.
Important: Be sure to sign with “ - The Team at ____ Apartments”. You don’t want your residents getting creeped out, wondering who left them nice notes.
5.) RSVP TO RELAXATION - SET UP CHAIR MASSAGES AT THE OFFICE FOR YOUR RESIDENTS
Let’s set up a “Pamper Your Residents” station with a complimentary chair massage. Pick a Saturday (or any day) to treat your residents to a relaxing thank you for being great. Our residents have busy lives and could all use a little bit of TLC. Visit massage schools and reach out to independent therapists. They’re likely looking for a way to get more clients and would be up for a few hours at your community either inexpensively, or even free of charge for a little marketing exposure.
How to make it happen?
Set a date and promote, promote, promote! Grab your graphics from Sprout and post on social media and around the community.
Invite residents to RSVP by commenting on social posts or have a sign up sheet at the office with specific time slots.
Think about extending the offer to prospects, too. If you have two massage therapists come in, you could have one dedicated to residents and the other for prospects. “Come in for a tour and get a free massage this [insert day]!”
Ask the massage therapist to bring some business cards for residents for some cross-promotion!
BONUS: Discuss the possibility to have the massage therapist come back and/or offer a special discount for your residents. If they have a few days of guaranteed bookings at your community, they may be open to an agreement!
6.) Heart Attack Retention and Renewals
Give your residents a heart attack! Not a real one, of course (we promote healthy lives!). But one in a box, full of love. This is an easy gift you can put together for your residents to remind them of how much they are appreciated.
Click the graphic to download or search for more options HERE.
How to make it happen?
TIP - If you are working with a tight budget, the Dollar Store has everything you’d need too!
Visit your local craft store (or Amazon, they have everything), for all your supplies.
Snag a simple box or a cute gift bag, and fill it with heart cutouts. Heart confetti or paper cutouts will work great.
Attach a flyer that says “We love our residents like you!” and leave it at their doorstep.
And just like that, the safe heart attack that is sure to please.
7.) Simon Says… Let’s Draw!
Let’s include the kids and show that you care about the families in your community with this arts and crafts event you can host in your clubhouse! We all played Simon Says as kids, so let’s make this one non-competitive and an artistic outlet for your kiddos.
Why you should do this event:
It’s fun.
You’ll foster a long-term community, and do marketing at the same time!
The outcome is beautiful - think cute, hand-drawn pictures made by kids.
Trust us, this is a crowd-pleaser, and it’s so simple!
Click graphic or HERE to customize!
How to make it happen?
Gather up some art supplies. We love the idea of lining a table with a roll of craft paper. This way, the kids can sit side-by-side and draw right on the table. Plus, it protects all surfaces!
Markers, Crayons, Pens, Colored Pencils
Keep it neat by organizing all the supplies in mason jars set on the table. Have a few repeats with lots of variety in each so every kid can get to what they need easily.
Game time! You can say “Simon says, draw circles.” Then the artists will draw circles. Or, “Simon says use a marker with your favorite color.” “Trace Dots.” Or, “Draw a face.”
Cut out their masterpieces for them to take home! Don’t forget to get a few pics for social media. Remember to get parents’ permission before posting, first.
8.) Story Time - Kid’s Event
Let’s kick up traditional story-time a notch with a specific theme and a few costumes. Remember, you want to do something for your residents that is:
Remarkable - You want them to keep talking about it!
Repeatable - It’s something you can do, again and again, not relying on one viral stunt.
Reasonable - Don’t break the bank! Sometimes simple things create just as big of an impact.
How to make it happen?
Pick a theme and invite the kids to dress up. Great options could be a Dr. Seuss or Disney night. Encourage them to dress up as their favorite characters. Have the staff dress up too.
Set a location. Example: It could be an indoor campfire story-time with tents, string lights, and pre-made s’mores.
Take photos! Post on social media to show off your amazing kid events. You want prospects to know that you care about their entire family!
9.) Brown Bag Lunches - Done Right
First day of school coming up? First day back after a long break? We even love this idea for a hectic Monday morning. Make it a little easier on the parents of your community, and prep brown bag lunches for the kiddos. It’s a small gesture that will go a long way! You’re saving them time, and it shows you really care. Retention magic!
Make it happen:
Tell the parents. Send a notice out a week before telling parents, “Hey, we’re going to be doing a brown bag lunch for every single kid that signs up.” Ask them to RSVP so you know how many to prep. PRO Tip: Have a couple of extras just in case.
Prep the lunches!
Brown bags - you can find these in bulk and they’re inexpensive, too.
Lunches - keep it simple and a complete meal. It won’t be packed with an ice pack so it will need to be non-perishable. Check out this article here for great ideas to put it all together!
On the day of the event, you can pass them out outside of the leasing office, or right at the entry gate.
Wanna kick it up a notch? Include a handwritten note in the bag saying “Have a great day”.
Wanna kick it up further?? Include two cookies. One for the kid, and one for the teacher with a label that says “Thanks for making our kids smart cookies! Courtesy of ____ Apartments. Give this to your favorite teacher!”
10.) Stress-Free Finals Week?
Click the graphic to download or HERE to search for more options.
Are stress-free finals possible? Not really, but you can definitely relieve some of it! Not much stresses college kids out more than finals week. This is your opportunity to step up and show them some love. Not only does it knock retention out of the park, but it helps with referrals, too! Those that see what you’re doing will think, “Hey, my community doesn’t do this… This is the place I want to be!”.
Make it happen:
Let everyone know you’re hosting a study week! Announce on social media and put up notices around the community.
Open up your community center for late-night cram sessions.
Get the snacks! Order pizza, chips, energy drinks. And plenty of coffee.
Here’s where referrals come in. Let them invite their study buddies, even if they don’t live there. Post a sign that says “Good luck on your finals!” with the Wi-Fi password.
11.) Care Packages for Under the Weather Residents
If I’m a parent, looking for a new apartment for my student, and I see this Daily Dose at a community - I’d be in love! This is going to make me want to move my college kid in, ASAP. When a college kid is under the weather, they may be missing home and their mom’s chicken noodle soup.
Click graphic to download!
Make it happen:
Check out this website to send the perfect care package to your resident when you find out they’re not feeling well. https://www.carepackages.com
Post it on social with a message “We hope you are feeling better and we have a special delivery for you!”
Be sure to interact with every single comment or DM about the post! People need to know you really do care.
12.) Move-In Day Ambassador
Click to download, or search for more options HERE.
Moving is SO stressful! New move-ins need to be shown some love, and here’s an easy way to do that. We love the idea of a move-in ambassador. Ask a long-time resident or a leasing agent to take this role.
Why ask a resident? They’ll be:
Dedicated to making sure that the move-in process is as seamless as possible.
In charge of introducing the new move-in to the staff.
Showing them the amenities.
Walking them to their new home.
13.) move-in Follow-up
Your move-in ambassador can be two-fold. It doesn't have to just be on the day of move-in. Sometimes new residents just want their keys, and to get moving in! The move-in ambassador can check back a week after move-in, and then really spend about 10 to 20 minutes with the new move-in answering any questions.
At this point, they've had some time to settle into where they live, and it also gives the resident an opportunity to think about any questions that might have come up.
What a way to make them feel welcomed and already at home.
14.) Champagne Cart - Bubbly Visits
Click to download!
Click to download!
A little bubbly goes a long way. How popular would you be if you went door to door on a Friday evening with a little champagne cart for your residents? We’re just saying, we’d open our door for sure. Make it special and do it for renewals and new move-ins for the month. Whatever the reason, they’ll love this unexpected treat!
On your mark, set, champagne carts! Bring it to life:
Deck it out with Sprout graphics so residents know what it’s all about.
Cups and bubbles. You can go a little fancy and go with plastic champagne glasses or keep it low key with cute paper cups. Stock up your cart with enough for your visits and hit the road!
Knock on doors and offer up a little toast! Snag some pics (with permission) and post to your social media!
15.) Breakfast on the Run - Rise and Shine
An oldie, but a goodie: Breakfast on the run. You’ll get some face-time with your residents and be helping them out!
Make it happen:
In the office? Set up a table with a spread of breakfast items by the door! Quick, easy and portable. Need some inspo? Check these out:
At the gate? Prep breakfast bags ahead of time, setting up shop at the office. Build anticipation by posting about it on social media!
Set a date and let people know that every Monday this month, or for the first Friday of every month, your team will have breakfast for everyone!
Post about it on Social Media and around the community with our flyers.
Get your breakfast snacks ready and set up in whatever location you’ve decided on.
Wow your residents!
click to download these graphics below and SEARCH HERE for more options!
Click to download!
Click to download!
Click to download!
16.) Dessert for Breakfast? Yes, Please.
Life is short. Switch it up this month and serve dessert for breakfast (or breakfast for dinner)! Have a cupcake for breakfast and provide some for your residents. Keep it fresh, and fun - invite your residents to pick up some sweets on their way out in the morning!
It’s simple:
Set up a table at the office OR bring out a cart (you can use the same cart again that we featured with our champagne carts at number 14 👆).
Load it up with cupcakes from a local bakery. Be sure to tell your residents where you got them. Can you say cross-promotion?
Post on social media and around the community with our flyers letting people know when they can expect a sweet treat!
Snap pics of your team going door to door dropping off treats with your cart, or of residents picking one up at the office!
Hot tip: If this isn’t the first time, ask the bakery if they’d be willing to extend a discount for your residents!
17.) Slice of life pizza night
Life gets busy and sometimes we just don’t have time to make dinner. This is where your team comes in to save the day! Pizza is a crowd-pleaser and is so easy to make available to your residents. You can do this on a weekly basis or just for a special occasion during busier times of the year (think holiday season, finals week, the first day of school, tax season).
How to do it:
Decide who is footing the bill. You’ve got options! Your community can cover it and just have people come by and pick one up to-go, or purchase a ton of pizzas and have them ready for purchase (at cost!) for your residents in the office. Throw in a free drink or dessert, too. You’ve saved them a trip and given them a little incentive.
Decide when you’ll do it. Then tell your residents. Post it on social media and around your community.
Snap pics and put it on social!
click to download or customize these graphics below and SEARCH HERE for more options!
Mad Lib Caption
“ You live a busy life. We get it! Our team is ready to make life easier at ______ Apartments. Swing by the office for pizza and dessert tonight!”
18.) Pets are People, Too - Upgrade Bath Time
Don’t forget about the 4-legged family members! Pets are like family and we’ve gotta give them some TLC, too. Think about things that can be pain points for your residents and provide a solution. Example? Bath time. Offer a doggy wash station to make bath time fun again!
Bring it to life:
Click on design to download
When you already have a built-in amenity available: Provide towels, shampoo, pet treats.
When you don’t: here’s an option. This outdoor garden sink is affordable and a brand new amenity! A great option to have when residents are out walking their dogs; it’s a place to rinse off paws or get a drink of water.
Either way, blast it on social media! Let the people know that your community makes life easier and takes care of every family member.
mad lib captions
“ At _______ Apartments, pets are people, too. Bring your pets by and check out our beautiful community today!”
“We, here at _____ Apartments, are huge animal lovers! Count on us to have our pet wash station stocked and ready for you!”
19.) Wanted: Dog-Walkers
We all know that pets go outside for potty. What happens when you are running late? Or stuck in traffic and your pup is waiting at home? It’s a situation that’s less than ideal, and stressful. Offer Dog-walking coupons to your residents, for a 15-minute walk and play during the day while their out. This way to spoil isn’t a way to fix everyone’s situation, but a nice gesture you can offer occasionally to your residents.
It’s a win-win! Happy residents and happy staff. It's a break in the day from being in the office all day. Going outside and getting fresh air is just what you need! And they really do say that people with pets are happier people, and people that get exercise are happier.
Try it at your community:
Decide who will do the walks from your staff. You can make a calendar and determine how many walks per week are realistically doable, and go from there.
Pick your residents! You can give these as move-in or renewal gifts.
Give them the coupons! Add it to a baggy of pet treats for extra impact! We need a quarter page flyer that has dog walking details - redeem this for a 15-minute dog walk while you’re out! Come by the office to pick a time slot on our schedule.
Promote on social media. Let everyone know that this is a fantastic perk at your community. For your residents, let them know that this month of coupons are out and they need to stop by the office to sign up!
20.) Home Dinner Delivery - Bon Appetit!
Fake mustache? Check. Spaghetti plate? On it. Treat your residents to a dinner delivery, and make their evening a little easier.
Click design to customize!
Why you should spoil your residents:
By providing dinner for your residents you’re meeting a need and making it fun at the same time.
Retention! Who wouldn’t want to renew at a community that delivers dinner sometimes?? We know we would.
Referrals! Can’t you just see friends telling each other about this? They’d rave over a community that cares about them.
Make it happen:
Pick a night and invite residents to RSVP with a social post and flyers around your community. You can set a limit and let them know that there are 20 spots available and it’s first-come, first-serve.
Get in touch with a local Italian spot, and order your spaghetti plates. Be sure to describe your event and ask if they’d be willing to extend a discount to your residents. If they love their delivery, they’ll order again! Bonus: include some breadsticks too!
Get the whole staff involved and dress the part. Mustache and chef hats are a great start.
Load up your cart and make your deliveries! Don’t forget to snag some pics for social media.
21.) Community Bucket List
Click design to download
Something really unexpected: create a bucket list reality section in your community center. This helps so much with retention, referrals, and even with new prospects! Imagine a resident bucket list wall with pictures of the ones that you've been able to make a reality. A great conversation starter, lots of fun, and a great way to build community.
How to make it happen:
Designate an area in a public space and set up a frame with paper in it, and pens nearby for residents to write in.
Invite your residents to share what's on their bucket list. Promote it on social media and remind them when they come through the office.
Set a budget! Example: The only rule is it has to be something that's under $100.
Now, see if you could help somebody knock something off their bucket list.
Pick a random resident once a month and do what you can to help mark that off their list. Let them know and work out the details with them.
Be sure to get photos to share on social media and the frame.
22.) Charity Carwash
Up for some carwash fun? Host a carwash at your community in an area of your parking lot for some retention and renewal fun. Your residents will love this one. People love supporting something with a purpose, and are willing to participate if it’s giving back to a good cause.
Click to customize!
Why you should do it:
It will benefit a great charity.
Your residents will love seeing you wash their car!
You're going to take pictures, you're going to post it on your social media sites, and you're going to build an online community.
Residents will have clean cars! This will just contribute to a beautiful community.
How you can do it:
Schedule a weekend that works for your team. You want them to join in, and be there for the event.
Promote it before the event! Post it on your social media sites and around the community with event flyers.
Prep for the event with all your supplies. Car soap, scratch-free sponges, water hoses, and buckets!
Remember to have water bottles and a few snacks for your car washers. It can get hot out there!
Post to social media, and tag the charity you’re contributing to if they have social accounts.
23.) Shared Spaces - Give Back to your Residents
This doesn’t have to cost you a dime, and will make such a huge impact!! You have a beautiful community and the point here is to get your residents to use it.
If you’ve got a model apartment, offer it up! This will be perfect for out of town guests and a great way to give your residents a little something extra in return for being model residents. If they have paid early or on time, you can allow residents to rent it out at a very discounted rate or give away free coupons.
If you have a killer coffee bar and great wi-fi, broadcast it! Invite your residents to host their meetings, sit and read a book, meet with their friends… all at your community instead of the local coffee shop. You want your prospects to see a vibrant community when they walk in!
Click design to download
Click design to customize
24.) Box of Sunshine for the Golden Years
We know in some places up north the winter is relentless and has a way of wearing down our residents. This kind of package would brighten their day. Have you seen a resident a little blue lately? Pick a resident and do something special for them this week!
Click to download!
Here’s how to do it:
Pick a resident. Don’t let them know! This will be a surprise.
Fill up that box of sunshine. It doesn’t have to be expensive! You can make a trip to the dollar store and set a $5 or $10 budget. Find any items that are small, yellow and useful.
Yellow starbursts
Hand sanitizer
Pens
Balloons
Smiley face stickers!
Attach a quarter page flyer to the top and leave it at your resident’s doorstep. Add a yellow balloon for an extra touch of sunshine!
25.) Grow Roots with Us
This is a gift that keeps on giving. It's a plant - it's our favorite gift to get (hello, our name is Sprout) and it's my favorite gift to give. This is going to be a daily reminder of a special gift from a special team. They can keep it inside their apartment to brighten up their space and improve air quality, or they can plant it in front of their building. It's something you can even offer to do for them.
Make it happen:
Go small with baby succulents - so cute!!
Or opt for a larger easy-to-maintain plant like a fern.
Flyers - Get your Sprout Flyers, print in quarter-page and attach to the pot with some twine.
Pick your residents! Select those that have just moved in, paid rent early, or just renewed.
Get your plants together and drop them off on their doorsteps.
Take a few pictures and post them on your IG stories! Everyone will want a plant on the next round!
Take it to another level: If you want to get fancy or have a bigger budget, get a cool planter and put the plant in it. It’s ready to go as house decor!
26.) A “BRight” WELCOME for NEW ONES
New residents have so much to deal with! Make moving in a bit sweeter with a warm welcome. It’s fun, and inexpensive! Trust us they’ll love it.
How to make it happen?
Welcome them to their front door with a sweet note right on the ground.
Use bright chalk and create a doormat with their names on it. (Hit up the dollar store and Pinterest for inspo)
You can customize a message to include their name. "Welcome so-and-so." If they have a family, include the names of the kids, the name of the dog with a little paw next to it.
27.) Reach for the sky for new residents
Imagine this as you're walking to the door. There's one door that has a bouquet of colorful balloons, and it turns out to be your front door. Who gets a bouquet of balloons on a regular basis? I know I don't. If I was walking into my new home, I'd say, "Hey, this is a place I want to live. This is a place that likes to have fun."
How to make it happen?
Get some balloons (of course!) Party City has great options to purchase some filled with helium. Choose an assortment of colors that go with your community brand.
You can anchor this down with a simple balloon weight, or kick it up a notch with bag of candy or a box of cookies.
Print your flyer and attach it to the weight. Leave it at the new resident’s doorstep!
28.) A welcome home pack to make an impact
Phew! So your resident selected a home and the hard part’s over, right? NOPE! It’s only starting. Put together a “Welcome Home bag” with some household goodies to welcome them and get them started those first couple of days.
How to make it happen?
Essentials like paper towels and toilet paper are a great start.
Coupons from the neighborhood.
A welcome card that's signed by the staff.
Include a list of your favorite hot spots for them to get to know the neighborhood.
Tie it up with a beautiful ribbon and the first time they walk into the door, sitting on their counter, they're going to find the Welcome to the Neighborhood pack.
Check out these great welcome home graphics below! Click to download. Search “WELCOME” for more options
29.) A Special Treat: Valet Trash service
Click to download.
Sometimes residents just want to be a little bit lazy, right? So when you're fully staffed why not offer to host a valet trash service? Now, it would only be on a specified day, and all your residents have to do is put their trash by their door. It's a simple gesture that can make a lasting impression.
How to make it happen?
Be sure residents know the do’s and don’t’s. Be clear in your information.
Include (Determine this with your team):
When - Every first Monday of the month? Once a week, every week?
How - How many bags will you pick up? Remind them that bags need to be tied up properly and not leaking!
Who - All residents? Or just a certain building each time?
Let residents know! Post on social media, include in your newsletter, and around the community.
30.) A few hours of help
Have you ever needed help moving a piece of furniture, but you live alone? Or maybe you need help hanging a picture frame because you're like me, and you don't know how to use a level to save your life. It happens to all of us. You could give away coupons to borrow your maintenance team, and these could be great as new move-ins or renewal incentives. Whatever it is, it is sure to leave a great impression on your residents.
How to make it happen?
Remember that you’ll want to dole these coupons out incrementally, and put an expiration date so you never bog down your team.
What will you give?
One to three hours of housekeeping
Free carpet cleaning
30 minutes of maintenance time - Think moving that sofa or hanging that frame!
Click design to customize
Click design to customize
31.) A “Special delivery!”
A surprise delivery at a resident's work is a great idea! Picture this: you walk into somebody's place of employment with treats in hand. People are going to ask questions, "Who are you with?" You tell them, "Oh we're coming to see one of our residents." Not only does it create that conversation, but will set you far apart from other communities. So get out there and make somebody's day with a surprise delivery at their place of work.
Click design to download
Make it happen:
Pick a resident: It can be for a special occasion like an anniversary, or the Just ‘Cause Special Delivery (our fave!)
Set up your gift. This can be simple - a box of cookies, or a couple of cupcakes. Doesn’t have to be huge!
Stick a flyer on the gift saying thank you.
PRO TIP: Kick it up a notch and have your team sign the back of the flyer personally!
Head to their place of employment and deliver.
NOTE: Remember, you are popping in unannounced this way. Head to the front desk first to let them know what you are doing and don’t be surprised if you need to head to HR first or if they’ll need to deliver the treats for you.