The neighbors watch my more remote property, (a $50 gift card at Christmas encourages this) and the PM drives by my city properties weekly. 

They get a big tax refund (actually a gift, since they usually get back more than they put in) and squander it on a vacation or booze or drugs or new rims for their over-priced car.

@Matthew Kelley, did you buy the property in question or was it gifted to you? 

He has already given you a gift by charging you under market rent for 20 years (rent control or not), and now you want him to pay you to move out or profit off of his low rent by subletting the place for more money and pocketing the difference?

I was thinking of a gift card for a dinner or maybe a place like Target for supplies in a card or gift basket.

Yes you eventually have to take chance on them, but when they do well, tell them, buy them a $25 gift card to starbucks, take them to lunch.

I have taken to going over and seeing them for 15-20 minutes, together with a small house warming gift ($20 budget, orchids from Costco are a favorite, as are gift certificates for bookstores and movie tickets).

If they don't already have a liner, we give them one with their move-in gifts.

The intent is great... but after a few months, the tenant (jobless or between jobs, who was REQUIRED by law (because they have 'income' from a "short-term rental assistance" gift source) to become a tenant) will be in default.

Hams, gift cards or even a personal email/letter sounds good!