Tips for Decorating Facilities During Festive Season.

The holidays are here, and for many people this means spending time with family, friends, food, and bright decorations. This also applies to tenants and property managers. The last month of the year offers a lot of reasons to rejoice, including a number of holidays and a feeling of rejuvenation as we approach the New Year. For their residents and building occupants, residential property managers and commercial facility managers alike have the chance to create a lively, happy atmosphere throughout the holidays. When decorating during the holidays, there are a few things property managers should keep in mind to ensure the season is both festive and safe.

No property/Facilities manager wishes to be perceived as a holiday Grinch, and certainly not as a member of the Griswold family from "Christmas Vacation." The dilemma for many managers lies in striking the right balance when it comes to holiday decorations. The question is: How can one adorn the property sufficiently to create a festive atmosphere without crossing the line into gaudiness?

When installed properly and safely, lights brighten up buildings and outdoor areas for the holidays. When someone brings family around for a celebration or returns home for the evening, simple white lights might make them smile. Compared to bright, blinking lights that can distract renters, these lights are safer. Be sure there is a clear path to the front entrance before placing outside lights on a building. Making holiday wreaths is another enjoyable method to brighten people up. An easy way to enjoy the season is to put up a colorful holiday tree in the lobby or common area, filled with lights and ornaments for passersby to see.

Safety In Holiday Decorating For Buildings

Take caution when bringing in or disposing of natural decorations. For example, if purchasing a natural wreath, wrap a bag around it so during transportation, pine needles won’t fall and make a mess around the area. An alternative is to purchase artificial decorations so that cleanup won’t be an issue when it’s time to remove them.

Another holiday decoration that can be considered in a few ways are candles. It’s a common policy that occupants are not allowed to use candles in their units, and to set a good example, property managers should use flameless candles in their decorations. During this time of year, flameless candles also come in a variety of holiday scents.

Safety during the holiday season should be a priority for every property manager, and decorations should be thoroughly checked each year to ensure they are in good working condition. Always look for frayed or bare wiring, broken bulbs, and remember to never use more than three strings of lights on one extension cord.

Outlets and circuits can be easily overloaded and result in a fire hazard that would not only ruin your holiday, but that of your tenants as well. Many fires can be prevented by taking proper safety measures. The holidays are a great time to make sure that smoke detectors are functioning. Electrical plugs and cords deteriorate gradually, and problems can be difficult to detect; the holiday decorating season is the perfect time to ensure these cords are in their best shape.

Meanwhile, first impressions matter year-round, and potential tenants will be taking into consideration the property’s curb appeal. In cold weather areas, it’s essential to keep walkways clear. For some parts of the country, this means shoveling snow and deicing driveways. This eliminates tenants needing to scale a potentially dangerous walkway to reach the front door. To add to the aesthetic of the property, lights can be hung around the walkway, and people may appreciate being greeted at the door with a decorated wreath.

Include Building Occupants In Holiday Cheer

Facilities Managers can also invite occupants to be a part of the decorating process. Invite them and their families to cut out snowflakes, make paper garlands, or have kids draw holiday pictures that can be used as decorations. The young artists can put their names on their creations and hang them up for all to see.

Other holiday community events ideas, depending on your facility type: cookie exchange, s’mores bonfire with hot cocoa, pool side holiday movie with popcorn, a holiday themed photo scavenger hunt, or a holiday book reading from a local author. For the adult crowd, host a wine or beer tasting, or maybe even a holiday themed murder mystery dinner.

Depending on the demographics of a Facility, some managers may want to stick with decorations that are non-denominational in nature. Tenants come from different cultures, and while your décor can most certainly reflect this, it should not show any favoritism or contain content that could potentially be seen as offensive. HUD has determined that Christmas trees, Santa Claus, and menorahs are not considered religious in nature, but nativity scenes, crosses, bibles and Stars of David are, and therefore should not be used in public areas of a property.

This idea of nondenominational decorating can be reflected in a few ways. For example, seasonal symbols such as snowflakes, snowmen, and candy canes are fully inclusive. Using phrases such as “Happy Holidays” or “Seasons Greetings” are also more inclusive than tying the phrase to a specific event.

Article Courtesy of Edmonson