In a world full of emails, social media ads, and digital noise, real estate teams need ways to stand out that are personal, memorable, and relational. Pop-bys—small, thoughtful gifts delivered in person—are one of the most effective ways to build client relationships, encourage referrals, and stay top-of-mind all year.
The only way to drown out the noise is to stop being transactional; and start being relational. And when you combine creativity, humor, and strategy, pop-bys become a powerful marketing tool for real estate teams and Directors of Operations. It’s not about what you drop off, how clever your marketing is, or how expensive the item—it’s about the connection, the relationship, and the preparation you do for engaging with each person.
That said, you still need fun ideas. So here are some we’ve done:
2026 Month-by-Month Pop-By Calendar for Realtors®
January – New Year, New Home
Tagline: “Fresh year, fresh home—ready when you are!”
Contents: Mini succulent or small plant, packet of flower seeds, or small home freshener
February – Candy Love
Tagline: “Home is Where the Heart Is”
Contents: Candy hearts or chocolates
Tagline: “We’re suckers for referrals.”
Contents: Swirl sucker
March – Spring Growth
Tagline: “Bloom Where You’re Planted. Give us a call if it’s time to plant a new garden.”
Contents: Flower seeds
Tagline: “Thanks for helping us bloom.”
Contents: Small flowering plant
April – Measure Up
Tagline: “Does your home still measure up? Let’s measure your options for a perfect home!”
Contents: Mini tape measure, notepad with inches marked
May – Bright Ideas
Tagline: “Shining a light on your next home adventure!”
Contents: Mini flashlight, candle
June – Summer Pop
Tagline: “Popping up to remind you I’m here for your next move!”
Contents: Small bag of popcorn, mini bottle of pop, pop rocks candy
July – Summer Fun
Tagline: “Need the SCOOP on the real estate market? I’ve got you covered.”
Contents: Ice cream scoop
August – Summer Heat
Tagline: “Things are heating up! Don’t let your friends get burned in this market.”
Contents: Sunscreen, mini fan, sun hat
September – Crunch Time
Tagline: “Ready to buy or sell? Let’s crunch the numbers!”
Contents: Crunch bar, granola bar, or small snack
October – Spooky Season
“Don’t Be Spooked”
Tagline: “Don’t be spooked by the market—we’ve got you covered!”
Contents: Mini ghost candy bag, Halloween treat
“Carve Out Time”
Tagline: “I’ll always carve out time for your referrals!”
Contents: Pumpkin carving knife + Halloween card
November – Gratitude
“Grateful for Your Referrals”
Tagline: “Thank you! Your referrals make our business grate!”
Contents: Mini cheese grater
December – Joy & Cheer
Tagline: “That’s a Wrap! Thanks for a great year!”
Contents: Roll of gift wrap
Pro Tips for Ops Bosses®
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CRM Tracking: Use tags to track what was sent, when, and to whom.
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Batch Buying: Purchase in bulk and store with tags ready. Buy post-holiday items on sale to use next year.
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Seasonal Planning: Align gifts with holidays, seasons, and client milestones. Have a grab & go shelf with pop bys ready for houseaversaries, new babies and other milestones.
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Delegate Execution: Create a simple checklist so any team member can handle pop-bys AND maximize their results. (For example – make sure you have multiple touches built around the drop off. Perhaps a text before and after if they are not home.)
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Personal Touch: Include a handwritten note. Read the CRM notes before you go in. Know their spouse, kids, and pets!
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Two-Tier Pop-Bys: Higher budget for heavy referrers, lower budget for others to maximize ROI.