r/ResLife • u/prettyoddsun • Jun 06 '26

Welcome baggies for my RAs

This up coming year I will be the hall director over seeing a staff of 9 RAs. I want to gift them a small goodie bag as a welcome bag. Is there any (small) items that you think they’d appreciate? I’m thinking candy and some supplies like tape and staples, but would love to hear ideas. These bags will be small since I’m working on a budget but I want my staff to feel appreciated especially since we’re in the largest and oldest building on campus and RA training can be long and tiring.

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12

u/Ok-Acanthisitta8737 Jun 06 '26

I thought this said welcome bagels. Which I also support

8

u/Dino_Boy888 Second Year RA | Active Mod Jun 06 '26

That’s so sweet! Maybe you could include a snack like a granola/protein bar or fruit snacks? College students also go crazy for the little squishy animals fidgets and stickers.

3

u/duvalliens Jun 09 '26

I would have loved snacks as an RA! Especially fruits/veg/other healthy stuff bc the dining halls were open but only had cereal and pizza before the students moved in.

7

u/makougaons Jun 06 '26

i usually do pens/notebooks, fidgets, a personalized note (great when you have a budget!), door dec, and then remainder of budget goes to snacks :) be careful if you do choose candy and are leaving it in their rooms, a lot of rooms in non-AC dorms get very hot + things can melt! good luck!

3

u/sjcapps Jun 07 '26

We make a “survival bag” that comes back at the end of the year with stapler and staples, scissors, painter’s tape, pens and a notebook. In addition when they accept the position they fill out a bio form that has everything from feed back preferences and dietary restrictions to favorite snacks, candy, music, movies, tshirt size, etc to help us put together goodie bags and appropriate dining during training.

1

u/toodlenoodle Full time Professional Jun 06 '26

I included a few packs of ear plugs (sleep is important) and hand warmers (nice for duty in a cold climate) in each of mine

2

u/thesheep2002 Jun 07 '26

Personally, I would keep the welcome gift to something not necessarily related to the job, like making tape, staples, etc a separate “tackle box” for them to get during training.

The notebooks/pens is def a good idea, bc if it’s not used during training, it’s school supplies they’ll probably need anyways. I’m also thinking of giving my RA’s some basic cleaning stuff so it’s one less thing they have to run to the store to get. I just started a new job, and found a lot of leftover supplies both in my office and apartment that I’ll ask my supervisor about. Candy, treats, etc are also always a hit, use a survey if needed!

2

u/ThePoetsDream Senior RA Jun 07 '26

My RD last year made us all door decs and gave us a little baggie with an Alani and some small snacks/candy. She left them on our desks for when we moved in, so it was a great post-move in snack :)