Holiday cheer is coming, but so are the holiday package piles. Every year, November and December bring a spike in online shopping that puts pressure on even the most organized communities.
Without the right systems in place, this seasonal surge can lead to overwhelmed package rooms, rising operational costs, and frustrated residents. If you’re not planning ahead now, the holidays will plan themselves right into your budget and staff bandwidth.
The Real Cost of Holiday Package Piles
The data backs up what every property manager already feels: the holidays don’t just increase package volume, they multiply it. According to Luxer One system data, deliveries climbed 11% from September to October 2025 as the holiday ramp began. They then jumped another 27% from November to December 2025, the height of peak season. Holiday deliveries overall were up 13% from 2024 to 2025, part of a broader 15% year-over-year increase across Luxer One properties. And the November–December stretch ran 21% higher than the average month for the rest of the year.
Shopper behavior is only speeding up that trend. Deloitte projects that e-commerce sales will grow 7.5–8.4% year-over-year during the 2026 holiday season, nearly double the pace of overall retail growth. NRF research adds that 71% of holiday shoppers now plan to buy online, either instead of shopping in stores or alongside it. For multifamily communities, that growth shows up as three real risks:
- Overflowing package rooms that violate fire codes or create liability
- More staff time spent organizing deliveries instead of serving residents
- Delayed pickups that frustrate residents and create customer service issues
If your current system is already close to capacity, or you’re relying on manual delivery processes, the holiday rush will only make these problems worse.
How to Prepare Your Community Before the Rush
Before you look at any new solution, it’s worth testing what you already have. Here are a few practical steps any property can take, no matter what system is currently in place:
- Audit last year’s peak day. Look back at your busiest delivery day from last December. Could your current setup handle that same volume today, plus normal growth?
- Communicate with residents early. A simple email or text in early November about expected delivery surges and pickup windows can cut down on package pile-up.
- Coordinate with carriers. Ask your regular carriers which days they expect to be busiest, so your team can plan staffing and overflow space around them.
- Map your overflow plan. Decide now where packages will go if your primary space fills up, before it actually happens.
- Review staffing coverage for November and December. Package handling shouldn’t come at the cost of leasing tours or resident requests, so plan coverage accordingly.
These steps won’t stop the surge, but they will quickly show you where the gaps are, and whether your system can handle real holiday volume.
What to Look for in a Long-Term Package Solution
If that audit shows your community is already stretched thin, a package room or locker system is a smart next step. But not all solutions are built the same. To truly handle the holiday package piles and serve your community all year, your solution should be:
- Appropriately scaled for your unit count and daily delivery volume
- Supported by modern software that ensures 100% acceptance and secure access
- Backed by expert support to minimize downtime and resident complaints
At Luxer One, we help communities prepare with fully integrated smart package lockers and automated package rooms that are customizable, tech-forward, and budget-friendly. Flexible billing options make it easy to install a system without blowing your budget. Many properties even see a strong return on investment (ROI) through reduced staff strain and higher resident satisfaction.
Learn more about what to look for in a package management system and get started today.
Add Boots on the Ground with Luxer Liaison
If you already have a package system in place, now is the time to check whether it’s ready for the season. The good news? You don’t need a full overhaul to keep up with seasonal spikes. You just need the right support behind the system you already have.
That’s where Luxer Liaison comes in. Rather than replacing your lockers or package room, Liaison adds a trained, on-site package expert to your team for Luxer One systems. They scan, log, and organize every delivery, help residents at pickup, and handle overflow. Your system keeps running smoothly, even when volume triples, and your leasing team stays focused on residents instead of packages.
Liaison scales to fit your property and the season. Choose 1–3 visits a week for extra coverage during peak periods, or 5–7 visits a week for a daily package management partner through the whole holiday stretch. On properties around 200 units, a Liaison has saved staff an average of 10+ hours per week. Want an even higher touch? Liaison Direct hand-delivers packages straight to resident doorsteps every evening, Monday through Friday.
Together, a right-sized package system and a Luxer Liaison keep your staff focused, your residents happy, and your property looking its best during the busiest months of the year.
Don’t Let the Holiday Rush Catch You Off Guard
The most successful communities prepare early and with the right partners. Maybe you’re adding lockers or a package room for the first time. Maybe you’re bringing in a Liaison to support the system you already have. Either way, Luxer One is here to help.
Let’s make this your smoothest holiday season yet.
Contact our team today to find the right-size solution for your community and be ready for whatever the holiday package piles bring your way.
