Ho-Ho-Hold On: Managing Holiday Package Chaos Before It Begins

The Shopping Season is Starting Earlier

A number of factors, including uncertainty over economic and employment outlooks as well as tariffs, are driving customers to shop and seek bargains earlier in the year than ever before. Over 20% of people recently surveyed by CivicScience said that they had already begun holiday shopping, up from 16% last year.¹ And Adobe reported that from July 8-11, thanks to a successful “Christmas in July” promotion, U.S. shoppers spent $24.1 billion online – a 30% increase from the same period last year.²

Growing consumer preferences for shopping earlier and seeking out bargains translate into a steady stream of package deliveries arriving at your property from July through December. Here’s your holiday playbook for handling the fourth quarter delivery deluge.

4 Merry Methods to Navigate the Holiday Season Securely

Clear communication keeps your residents protected throughout the season, whether through festive social posts, holiday bulletins, or seasonal email updates.

1. Trim the Tree with Travel Smarts

While residents may venture off to cozy cabin getaways, they shouldn’t broadcast their absence online. Overflowing mailboxes are also dead giveaways that nobody’s home. Encourage residents to enlist trusted neighbors as holiday helpers, checking on any plants or pets, and collecting mail or packages they might be expecting. Smart home technology can also play Santa’s assistant; automated lighting systems, for example, create the perfect illusion that someone’s home is filled with the scent of baking cookies by the fireplace.

2. Share the Holiday House Rules

Gently remind your merry residents about safety protocols when welcoming visiting relatives and friends. Security should take center stage during gatherings. Entry codes, spare keys, and building access should be kept with residents only and not shared like holiday treats. Don’t forget to review parking guidelines for those extra holiday visitors.

3. Winterize the Workshop and More

Before winter’s chill arrives in earnest, have your maintenance team inspect heating systems, carbon monoxide detectors, snow removal equipment, and other seasonal essentials. Also, remember to inspect water heaters and safety valves.

4. Review Your Nice List for Shared Spaces

Common areas deserve holiday attention as well. Scout for frayed electrical cords, moisture issues, and mold that could spoil the festive mood. And while we’d love a reindeer visit, keep an eye out for unwanted critters looking to escape the cold weather.

Santa’s Sleigh Guide to Holiday Package Protection

Ho Ho Ho! While holiday shopping sales are expected to be slower in light of continued inflation, Deloitte still predicts between a 2.9 and 3.4% increase, generating up to $310.7 billion this year.³ But, with consumers doing all their holiday shopping over a longer period of time, now is the time to deck your delivery halls with these festive action steps:

Polish Your Present Protocols

‘Tis the season to send holiday cards or emails about any changes to gift retrieval policies. If your leasing elves manage package pickup, spread the holiday cheer about schedule updates. When ID checks are required to claim packages, ensure residents are aware of these policies. Don’t forget to share your protocols for those extra-large presents that won’t fit under the tree.

Brace for the Blizzard of Boxes

The biggest shopping extravaganzas are coming with Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and Prime Big Deal Days. With the rise of same-day delivery, packages might pile up faster than an unexpected snowfall. Alert your maintenance elves about these peak dates and consider implementing a “Christmas morning urgency” pickup policy to keep your package workshop running smoothly.

Sing About Your Smart Locker Solution

If you’ve been gifted with Parcel Pending smart lockers, the holiday season is a prime time to get every resident enrolled in this winter wonderland of convenience. Remind them to activate vacation mode when visiting Grandma’s house and to be aware of any fees for delayed package pickup, as nobody wants their holiday spirit dampened by late charges.

The Gift That Keeps on Giving: Smart Locker Security Benefits

According to our 2025 Resident Preferences Report, lockers consistently rank as the top amenity among residents who have used them previously, surpassing business centers, clubhouses/common areas, and pools/ spas. This preference is backed by compelling usage statistics: more than 90% of residents utilize lockers weekly and receive at least one package through the system.

Top of the Wish List: Package Security and Convenience

Package security remains top-of-mind for residents and, according to a recent Vivint survey of apartment residents, most (84%) believe smart lockers work better than Santa’s security system to prevent theft.⁴ It’s no wonder our latest Resident Preferences Report reveals what residents truly want for the holidays: peace of mind about their packages. An overwhelming majority (95%) echo the sentiment “Knowing my package is as safe [as presents under Santa’s tree] until I can retrieve it is important to me.” Lockers also unwrap the gift of convenience, allowing residents to retrieve packages on demand 24 hours per day.

Workshop Efficiency: When Packages Work Like Christmas Magic

Smart lockers deliver immediate relief to property management elves who previously juggled the demanding logistics of gift distribution. Staff no longer play telephone tag with residents, struggle with storage space, or wrangle oversized deliveries that won’t fit down the chimney. By automating resident notifications, property managers can return to performing work that truly spreads holiday cheer.

Present Perfect: How Retention Delivers Renewals

Happy residents stick around longer than holiday traditions, dramatically trimming costly turnover expenses that can sleigh your budget. They also transform residents into cheerful marketing ambassadors, spreading word-of-mouth joy and generating quality referrals for a fraction of traditional acquisition costs.

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If you’re looking to gift a little magic to your residents this holiday season, smart lockers deliver benefits all year long, including security, safety, and convenience. Ready to lock in your holiday package management solution? Speak with a Parcel Pending representative today.

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Sources:

1. Rhone, Kailyn. Economic Anxiety Leads More Consumers to Embrace ‘Christmas in July’. www.nytimes.com. July 29, 2025. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/29/business/economic-anxiety-christmas-in-july.html
2. Pandya, Vivek. Adobe: Prime Day Event drove $24.1 billion in online spend across U.S. retailers. business.adobe.com. July 14, 2025. https://business.adobe.com/blog/prime-day-event-drove-24-billion-in-online-spend-across-us-retailers
3. Ruben, Howard. Holiday sales could grow up to 3.4%: Deloitte. www.retaildive.com. September 10, 2025. https://www.retaildive.com/news/holiday-retail-sales-growth-forecast-deloitte/759736/
4. Vivint. Porch Pirates in the Hallway: 1 in 4 Renters Suspect a Neighbor Took Their Package. www.vivint.com. N.d. https://www.vivint.com/resources/article/apartment-porch-pirate-report-2025