Memorial Day marks the unofficial start of summertime. School years wind down, routines start to change, and suddenly everyone’s thinking about barbecues, picnics, and getting outside more.
What often gets overlooked is that this weekend also lands right in the heart of peak moving season. May kicks off the busy moving season, with about 45% of all moves happening between May and August- meaning there are many new homebuyers settling in on Memorial Day weekend.
You can bet that the holiday holds an even deeper meaning for someone unpacking boxes and setting up their new home. It’s often their first real chance to explore local businesses and to start planting roots in their community.
Which means it’s the perfect time for your business to step in just as these new residents are establishing new routines and seeking new providers.
So how can your Memorial Day campaign capture the attention of newly arrived families? Check out our top ideas below.
1. “Welcome to Your New Backyard” Discounts
80% of new movers use coupons before, during, and after their move. This is something we consistently see reflected in mover behavior data and campaign performance tied to the early move-in period.
And for new homeowners, usually their backyard is a blank slate for creating the summer hang out spot of their dreams. Think about what they need right away:
- Outdoor furniture to make the space functional
- Landscaping to bring their yard to life
- A grill or firepit for entertaining
- Pool installation or maintenance services
- Pest control, fencing, lawn care, or seasonal clean‑ups
- Home maintenance services to prep for summer
Memorial Day is the perfect moment for businesses to say, “Welcome to your new backyard, let’s help you make it amazing!” Because for many families, these are not just nice-to-have upgrades. They are immediate priorities tied to how they plan to spend the summer.
Offering a strategic discount, freebie, or value‑add shows your new neighbors (and potential customers) that your business understands their needs right from the beginning.
For example, you could introduce your business in a move‑in gift book shortly after their move and then send a follow‑up postcard to help your offer resurface as they’re finalizing their Memorial Day plans. Together, these touchpoints give your backyard‑themed promo visibility and repetition for a lasting impression.
2. Make it Easy to Feel Welcome
As the weather warms up, people naturally want to get out, explore, and connect. For new families, that urge is even stronger. They’re not just looking for places to go, they’re looking for signs that they belong.
Memorial Day is the perfect holiday that naturally encourages community gathering. There are parades, barbecues, outdoor dining, and local events, and new movers are eager to participate. But they often don’t know where to start.
It’s up to your business to help them feel welcome. After moving, I personally noticed how much those early experiences influenced which businesses my family tried out (and returned to!)
For example:
- Restaurants, cafes, breweries, and local attractions have a huge opportunity here. A free appetizer, treat, or a simple new-mover discount gives people a reason to stop in without pressure. It’s an easy first visit, and often the start of a habit.
- Fitness studios, salons, boutiques, hardware stores, and family entertainment businesses can stand out with a clear “new to the neighborhood” offer. Moving makes people cautious about trying somewhere new. A friendly welcome and a first-visit incentive is a great way to remove that hesitation.
- Service-based businesses can meet families right as they start planning ahead. Memorial Day is when summer schedules come into focus. Dental checkup bundles, pet care specials before travel season, or seasonal wellness packages all fit naturally into that mindset.
3. Digital-Exclusive Memorial Day Specials
New movers are no different than the rest of us and when they need something, they turn to their phones first.
They’re searching for things like “best landscaper near me,” checking reviews on local dentist offices, and scrolling local community groups for holiday events.
Digital discovery drives decision‑making. For a new mover, search activity skyrockets because everything in their life has to be rebuilt from scratch.
Which is exactly why digital promotions can make such a significant impact:
- Reaching new movers on social works well because they’re actively looking for local recommendations and paying closer attention to neighborhood content as they settle in. In fact, 58% of consumers discover new businesses through social media, making it an important channel for first impressions.
- New movers want information, but they want it to feel meant for them. Personalized email campaigns let you deliver a first‑time customer deal discount tailored to their needs, directly to their inbox and as they’re planning their summer shopping.
- With over 85% of consumers reporting that reviews shape their buying choices, maintaining your online reputation is essential, especially during high‑traffic holidays when families may be trying new businesses for the first time.
- “Near Me” searches have grown by over 500% in recent years, and new movers rely on them constantly as they build their routines in a new neighborhood. Whether they’re looking for “pizza near me,” “pool service near me,” or “events near me,” your business needs to appear in those search results to earn their attention.
Make it your priority to meet local movers online because it’s where their questions, concerns, and curiosity come to light.
How to Stand Out and Reach New Movers
Here’s how businesses can use Welcome Wagon to reach new movers:
Start with the Gift Book
Introduce your brand with a welcome message and offer in Welcome wagon’s giftbook. It is personalized with the family’s last name shortly after they move in. Packed with valuable information about the area, it’s the perfect way to make them feel at home and introduce them to your business.
Follow Up with a Postcard
Select your target audience and we do the rest! About 30 days after move‑in, Welcome Wagon’s postcard program helps you stay top of mind with another well-timed offer or invitation to try your business.
National Inserts
Reach a larger new mover audience through our national insert program. Inserts are an ideal marketing strategy for national brands seeking inclusion in our full direct mail distribution.
Mover Email Marketing
Connect with new movers in your community through a highly personalized email campaign. Every month, we will deliver your message to the inboxes of the most recent new movers to keep your message front and center.
Social Media
Our experts deliver targeted ads to engage your ideal local audience. Welcome Wagon drives local awareness of your brand with highly targeted social media campaigns.
Online Directory & App
Boost your online visibility with a listing in our directory and mobile app. All partners are listed in our online directory and mobile app. A great way to showcase your business!
Be The Business They Remember
Are you ready to build a campaign that resonates long after the Memorial Day holiday weekend?
800-779-3526
hello@welcomewagon.com
For further holiday ideas and marketing solutions for your business, contact Welcome Wagon!
Founded in 1928 to welcome new movers to their community, Welcome Wagon is committed to connecting companies with new homeowners through online and offline channels.
