The Importance of Gifting Residential Community Staff Members During the Holidays / by Eshed Doni

The holiday season is the perfect time for residential communities to express gratitude to the dedicated staff members who work diligently year-round to enhance the quality of life for residents. Gifting staff during this time is not only a gesture of appreciation; it also plays a crucial role in boosting morale and overall performance. Recognizing the hard work of staff members fosters a positive work environment, leading to increased job satisfaction and better service for residents. In fact, research conducted by the O.C Tanner Institute shows that recognized employees are 18 times more likely to produce great work, which in turn benefits the entire community​.

Current Approaches to Gifting Staff Members

Many residential communities currently employ various methods for gifting staff during the holiday season. Some opt for individual gifts from residents, while others choose to collect holiday funds as a group. While the individual approach may seem easier, as it requires less organization, it often falls short in ensuring that all staff members are recognized. This can lead to feelings of neglect among employees, potentially impacting their morale and engagement.

On the other hand, group gifting allows for a more equitable distribution of appreciation, as all staff members can receive gifts. These gifts are typically larger, more meaningful gifts from the collective contributions of the community. However, organizing group gifts can be a cumbersome task for those in charge, involving significant effort to collect contributions, track payments, and manage gift distribution. This can create pressure on residents and lead to logistical challenges for organizers, detracting from the spirit of giving.

The Need for a Solution

Despite the benefits of group gifting, the complexities involved with traditional group gifting often discourage communities from pursuing this approach. The traditional methods of group gifting can create a disconnect between residents and staff, as contributions lack a personal touch. Research by Paul White suggests that recognition is most effective when it’s personalized and tailored to the recipient’s preferences. In residential communities, staff members who feel valued through thoughtful recognition are more likely to provide excellent service and stay motivated.

Additionally, without a streamlined process, the effort required to organize holiday group gifts for staff members can lead to burnout among HOAs, management companies, or resident volunteers tasked with organizing holiday gifts.

As the market begins to shift toward online solutions, there is a growing recognition of the need for more efficient and personal ways to facilitate holiday group gifting in residential communities. However, the options available have not fully addressed the unique challenges these communities face. GiftCrowd is proud to be one of the solutions spearheading this revolution, providing an online platform specifically designed to simplify the process of group gifting in residential communities. It addresses the logistical challenges for organizers with a quick and easy setup and by handling everything from money collection & tracking contributions to delivering gifts. Additionally, GiftCrowd enables personalized appreciation by allowing residents to include custom greetings, and giving staff members the freedom to choose their own gifts from over 450 top brands – all while making the entire process convenient for residents.

Building Stronger Communities with Meaningful Gifts

Gifting residential staff during the holiday season is a meaningful way to strengthen community bonds and recognize the dedication of those who serve residents. While traditional methods of gifting have their advantages, they can also present challenges that detract from the experience. By embracing thoughtful and efficient approaches, communities can foster stronger connections and create a positive environment that benefits everyone – leading to a more engaged, motivated workforce and well-served residents. Start planning now so your community can show its appreciation for your residential staff this holiday season.

Bio

Eshed Doni is the CEO and founder of GiftCrowd, a group gifting platform revolutionizing how people send and receive gifts. Doni thrives on embracing challenges and recognizing the transformative power of technological innovations in improving people’s lives. Eshed is a serial entrepreneur and in addition to GiftCrowd he is the founder of App2Go and SendM. As an inventor, entrepreneur, and pivotal contributor, he has introduced more than 20 groundbreaking products and his unwavering passion lies in transcending traditional boundaries and boldly confronting the “impossible.” Eshed resides with his family in Tenafly, NJ.