Summer’s end is drawing near, signaling a stop to the harried and hurried leasing season. It also brings cooler days, falling leaves, football, pumpkin spice — and the opportunity to connect with your residents and prospects through a fresh set of events.

Boost your social media marketing and increase resident engagement and retention with these activities that are big on fun but small on your budget.

Offer appreciation snacks

Packing lunches, running carpool — your residents are constantly on the go. Show them you care by handing out small bags of snacks with a note of appreciation attached. Some ideas to get you started:

• “You’re o-fish-ly our favorite!” on a bag of Goldfish crackers
• “Just pop-ping in to say, ‘Have a great day!’” on a bag of popcorn

Your kind gesture will keep residents thinking positively about your community all day and might even start a few conversations in their workplace lunchrooms. Get ready for some prospects!

Arrange a book swap

Celebrate National Read a Book Day (September 6) by inviting residents of all ages to swap out old reads for new ones.

Create a Facebook event invite to remind residents to get their share-worthy books ready, but post the event on all social platforms to keep residents excited and prospects interested. When the time comes, don’t forget to provide free snacks and beverages.

Throw a tailgate party for your local college or pro team

Bring on the finger foods — preseason has begun! The only thing people love almost as much as free food is cheering on their favorite sports team.

If you have a screening room, show the game. Residents will love mingling with fellow fans, ribbing on rivals or enjoying the snacks. All you need to do is lay out some tasty eats and turn on the game.

Residents won’t be able to resist posting all about the event on social media. Be sure to post on your channels as well. It will show prospects what life is like at your community.

Organize an autumnal equinox paint party

Residents bring the cocktails, and you supply the canvases! What better way to celebrate fall than with a little color?

Residents will have a blast mingling with neighbors and discovering a new hobby. Encourage them to take pictures of their finished paintings and tag the community online. You could even throw in a little extra incentive by offering a gift card to the resident who gets the most likes on their art.

Host a viewing party for a favorite movie or TV show

Whatever the entertainment of choice, don’t forget to include some grub. Hand out bags of popcorn and sweets to residents as they arrive. You can even include a Cracker Jack prize, like reduced rent for a month, in one of the bags.

Plan an October feast — costumes encouraged!

Introduce your own twist on Oktoberfest by providing the event space and some good old-fashioned family fun. Invite residents to prepare their favorite German fare to share, host a yodeling contest or hold a vote for best lederhosen. Winners take home a stein!

Serve chocolate, pumpkin spice and anything nice

As the weather starts to cool down, give residents something warm to come home to. Offer complimentary hot chocolate or cider in one of the common areas. Add a side of cookies as an extra tasty treat. Small acts like these are the perfect way to show residents and prospects you care.

Hold a trivia night

Choose a category that’s entertaining for all ages. Find questions online or make up your own. Residents will love a chance to win a prize and get out of the cold.

Give the winners mugs or T-shirts with the community logo. The free marketing will make it a win for you, too.

Coordinate a trick-or-treat costume exchange party

Help residents recycle old costumes before Halloween. Residents will be thankful they don’t have to purchase a new costume and may even share the event with friends. If they do bring friends, give a special treat to those who become referrals.

Don’t have an old costume? No trick! Encourage residents to DIY a costume. Take pictures of all the great costumes, and share them on your social networks for prospects to see just how awesome your community is.

Schedule a pie-walk charity event

Satisfy that sweet tooth craving a little longer with a festive pie bake sale. Invite residents to bake their favorites — pumpkin, pecan, blueberry or peach — then pick a charity to donate the proceeds to.

A pie walk brings residents together and fosters a sense of community. Residents will love helping a great cause, and a lucky winner will take home a freshly baked pie, just in time for the holiday season.

Events like these show that you don’t need a lot of green to brighten a resident’s day. Small gestures mean happier residents, and by providing a safe place for residents to get out and socialize, you’ll open the door to new friendships and renewals. And when residents move on, they’ll have only positive memories to share about the community.