From Valentine's Day to Labor Day, and of course, the shopping frenzy of Black Friday, there are countless holidays ideal for attracting customers and growing your bottom line.
Whether you're a brick-and-mortar store or an online shop, this guide will give you creative ideas and practical examples to make the most of these special occasions.
Let’s see how you can turn these holidays into opportunities for growth and engagement, both on and offline.
What are small business holidays?
Small business holidays are regular holidays that smaller firms participate in and celebrate. They’re an opportunity for businesses to promote their brands, acquire new customers, and engage with their communities.
These holidays present unique opportunities for small companies to create special promotions, events, and marketing campaigns that align with the festive spirit of these occasions.
#1 New Year's Day (January 1)
New Year's Day presents an opportunity for small businesses to start the year with strong momentum. They can offer special discounts and promotions that highlight fresh starts and new beginnings. It's a perfect time to attract customers looking for new resolutions and exciting offers.
How small businesses can use it:
Highlight discounts on relevant products
Think of the New Year's resolutions that many people make, for example, to learn a new language or make healthy changes. Advertise items that line up with these goals, such as courses or discounts.
Create eye-catching social media posts and email marketing campaigns showcasing these products and their discounts. Use hashtags like #NewYearNewYou and #ShopSmall.
Example:
"Get Fit This New Year with Our Special Discounts!
Kickstart your New Year's resolutions with our amazing deals on fitness gear and health products! No matter if you're looking to get in shape, eat healthier, or get organized, we've got you covered. Check out our top picks:
- Fitness Gear: Up to 30% off on yoga mats, dumbbells, and resistance bands.
- Health Products: Save 20% on vitamins, supplements, and protein powders.
- Organizational Tools: Enjoy 25% off planners, storage bins, and office supplies.
🎉 Limited Time Offer 🎉
Shop now and take the first step towards a better you! Don’t forget to use #NewYearNewYou and #ShopSmall to share your journey and spread the word."
P.S. Did you know you can grow your business by creating holiday-related email marketing campaigns using Transpond? Try our email tool today (you can do it for free).
Use social media to draw attention
Share posts with vibrant images of your New Year’s incentives. Engage with your audience by encouraging them to share their resolutions and how your products or services can help. Respond promptly to comments and messages to foster a connection with potential customers and yield a 53% increased conversion rate.
Collaborate with local gyms and wellness centers
Plan joint promotions that benefit both your business and local wellness centers. Host a community event focused on health and wellness to draw a crowd and partner with influencers in the wellness space to spread the word about your New Year’s specials.
Example:
"New Year, New You: Community Wellness Fair
Join us on January 15th for free fitness classes, wellness workshops, exclusive discounts, and exciting giveaways! In collaboration with [Local Gym] and [Wellness Center], plus special appearances by top influencers. Start your health journey with us!
#NewYearNewYou #HealthGoals #ShopSmall"
#2 Valentine's Week (February 7-13)
Valentine's Week gives small businesses an entire week to connect with customers and build anticipation. It's an opportunity to engage your audience with love-themed promotions, special events, and consistent messaging that nurtures customer relationships throughout the week.
When you create a steady series of activities, you can cultivate a sense of excitement leading up to the big day.
How small businesses can use it:
Promote Valentine's Day packages
Launch and advertise your Valentine's Day reductions early to give customers plenty of time to plan their purchases.
Example:
Use social media to draw attention
Regularly post about your Valentine's initiatives across platforms like Facebook and Instagram. Don’t forget to incorporate relevant hashtags and engaging call-to-action elements to encourage customer interaction.
Hold events and activities
Consider organizing events like couples' workshops, romantic dinners, or crafting sessions for personalized gifts throughout the week. Offer exclusive in-store discounts for attendees and provide small gifts or samples to make the experience memorable.
Example:
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#3 Valentine's Day (February 14)
While Valentine's Week is all about building anticipation, Valentine's Day is when the celebration truly peaks.
This is the day when emotions can run high, and customers are often in search of last-minute gifts and experiences.
It’s the perfect time for small businesses to capitalize on the urgency and excitement of the day with exclusive, time-sensitive offers.
How small businesses can use it:
Create personalized gift packages
On Valentine's Day, curate themed gift sets that feature popular items like bath and body products, gourmet treats, and handcrafted items. Make the experience even better with beautiful packaging that makes each gift feel special and unique.
Develop limited-time products
Introduce exclusive products specifically for Valentine's Day, such as heart-shaped pastries or custom jewelry. Emphasize the limited availability to create urgency and drive sales.
Example:
"Exclusive Valentine's Day Collection
- Heart-shaped pastries: delight your loved ones with our limited-edition heart-shaped pastries, available only for Valentine's Day.
- Custom jewelry: discover our exclusive range of custom jewelry pieces, crafted just for this special occasion.
Hurry, these special items are available for a short time only!
#ValentinesDay #LimitedEdition #ShopSmall #ExclusiveGifts"
Run last-minute price cuts
Cater to those who may have forgotten the holiday or are making spontaneous purchases by offering special reductions on the day itself. Consider offering flash sales or discounts for walk-in customers.
#4 St. Patrick's Day (March 17)
St. Patrick's Day is an annual celebration of Irish culture. Small businesses can join in the fun with themed products, promotions, and events.
How small businesses can use it:
Introduce Irish-themed products
Stock items made with Irish ingredients sourced from local farms - for example, honey, seaweed, lavender, moss, and red algae native to the Irish coast. Highlight the authenticity and cultural importance of these products.
Run a St. Patrick’s Day Sweepstakes
Organize a lucky draw where customers can enter a sweepstake for a chance to win a basket of themed goodies. Use this to collect customer contact information for future marketing efforts.
Example:
Host Irish cooking demonstrations
Consider bringing in a local chef to demonstrate how to cook traditional Irish dishes like soda bread, colcannon, or Irish stew. Create recipe cards for participants to take home so they can remember the day.
#5 Easter
Easter is perfect for family-friendly activities and festive fun. Small businesses can get creative with themed products and engaging events. Make it a time for customers to create happy memories with their loved ones and add aspecial touch to their holiday celebrations.
How small businesses can use it:
Hold egg hunts
Hide colorful eggs throughout your store with small prizes inside. Encourage families to participate and explore your products while searching for eggs. Surprise the participants who find certain marked eggs with a special discount.
Example:
Offer themed products
Curate and sell pre-made Easter baskets filled with chocolates, toys, and festive items. Allow customers to customize their baskets with selected products from your store. Highlight these baskets on your social media and website.
Promote family activities
Run in-store or online storytime sessions featuring Easter-themed books. Partner with a local café or restaurant to put together a special Easter brunch menu. Set up a festive Easter-themed photo booth in your store.
Example:
#6 Mother's Day (Second Sunday in May)
Mother's Day is all about celebrating Motherss with love and special treats. Small businesses can make this day special with unique promotions and experiences that make moms feel appreciated and cherished.
How small businesses can use it:
Run special promotions on gifts
Offer pre-packaged gift sets tailored for mothers, including items like bath products, candles, and gourmet treats. Provide options for customers to customize their own gift sets. Promote these packages through email campaigns and social media.
Example:
Create floral arrangements in-store
Host a flower-arranging workshop where customers can create their bouquets. Supply participants with all the necessary materials and expert guidance. Offer a discount on floral purchases for workshop participants.
Deliver experiences for mothers
Throw a special tea party event for mothers and their children in-store or at a partnered venue. Create personalized shopping experiences for moms, where they can receive one-on-one assistance and styling advice. Partner with a local photographer to give participants a chance for family photo sessions.
Example:
#7 Memorial Day (Last Monday in May)
Memorial Day is not only for honoring veterans but also for kicking off the summer with exciting sales and events. Small businesses can engage their community and improve their summer sales with thoughtful promotions and activities.
How small businesses can use it:
Organize summer kick-off sales
Create bundled deals to encourage larger purchases. Arrange a sidewalk sale to attract passersby. Set up a special section in your store dedicated to these products.
Host a charity fundraiser
Partner with a local veterans' organization to raise funds for veterans' support services. Donate a portion of your Memorial Day weekend sales to the charity. Promote the fundraiser through in-store signage and social media.
Example:
Consider a memorial ceremony
Organize a memorial ceremony to honor fallen soldiers, featuring guest speakers and a moment of silence. Collaborate with local veterans' groups and community organizations. Provide light refreshments and commemorative items.
#8 Father's Day (Third Sunday in June)
Father's Day is the time to show dads some love with cool gifts, gadgets, and fun activities. Small businesses can attract customers with unique ideas and experiences designed especially for fathers.
How small businesses can use it:
Create deals on gifts
Offer personalized items such as engraved watches, custom-made wallets, or monogrammed tools. Promote grooming and self-care kits with high-quality shaving products, skincare items, and colognes.
Feature discounts on outdoor and sports equipment, such as fishing gear, camping supplies, and golf accessories.
Run Father's Day workshops and classes
Host workshops or classes on topics that dads love, such as woodworking, grilling, or craft beer brewing. Organize family-oriented activities, such as mini-golf tournaments, go-kart racing, or sports day events. Surprise dads and their families with special promotions.
Example:
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#9 Independence Day (July 4)
This holiday is perfect for celebrating with patriotic-themed promotions and community events. You can create a festive atmosphere with memorable experiences that get everyone in the holiday spirit.
How small businesses can use it:
Create special activities and contests
Run a social media photo contest where customers can submit pictures of their patriotic celebrations for a chance to win a prize. Arrange a trivia night focused on American history.
Example:
Launch patriotic-themed promotions
Feature products in patriotic colors, such as apparel, home decor, and accessories. Offer special discounts on these themed items. Create limited-time deals on popular items, emphasizing the holiday spirit.
Organize community events
Invite people to a viewing party for the local fireworks display, providing snacks, drinks, and seating. Partner with nearby businesses to make the event more memorable.
Example:
#10 Back to School (August - September)
Back-to-school season is a time to help parents, guardians, and students gear up with discounts on supplies, clothing, and more. Attract customers with practical and engaging promotions that make the new school year exciting.
How small businesses can use it:
Implement discounts on school supplies
Offer bundled deals on essential school supplies, such as notebooks, pens, and backpacks. Promote these bundles as convenient and cost-effective solutions for parents. Give discounts to early shoppers who purchase their school supplies before a certain date.
Example:
Run skill development courses
Promote online courses focused on skill development, such as coding, graphic design, or writing. Create “back-to-school” discounts on these resources and highlight the benefits for students.
Adjust your website template and theme
Promote the Back-to-school period with a temporary, school-themed website. Create banners and popups to drive interest among parents and students.
Example:
#11 Labor Day (First Monday in September)
Labor Day marks the end of summer and an opportunity to relax with great sales on summer items and relaxation products. Draw in customers with special bargains and stress-relief goodies that help everyone unwind.
How small businesses can use it:
Host an event
Organize a community event or sale to draw in customers. Highlight the event through email campaigns, social media, or local radio stations.
End-of-summer sales
Offer big discounts on summer items. Create a “Last Chance” sale section to encourage quick purchases.
Example:
Recognize hard work
Share stories of your employees’ or customers' achievements. Engage with your audience by encouraging them to share their own stories.
Example:
#12 Halloween (October 31)
Halloween brings a spooky atmosphere with costumes, decorations, and themed events. Small companies can join the fun by offering creative products and promotions that tap into the excitement of the season.
How small businesses can use it:
Highlight discounts on costumes and decorations
Feature popular costumes and spooky decorations with special Halloween discounts. Share social media posts with vibrant images showcasing your Halloween products. Use hashtags like #HalloweenDeals and #SpookySavings to increase visibility.
Collaborate with local events and haunted houses
Partner with local Halloween events or haunted houses for joint promotions. Sponsor a Halloween-themed community event to draw a crowd. Collaborate with local influencers to promote your Halloween steals.
Example:
Use social media to create buzz
Share posts with eye-catching Halloween-themed images and videos. Engage with your audience by hosting a costume contest or asking them to share their Halloween plans. Respond to comments and messages to build a connection with potential customers.
#13 Thanksgiving (Fourth Thursday in November)
Thanksgiving is all about gratitude and spending time with those you care about. During this period, it’s a smart tactic for smaller businesses to highlight gratitude-themed items and get a head start on Black Friday with special deals.
How small businesses can use it:
Promote gratitude-themed products
Feature items that help customers express gratitude, such as thank-you cards, personalized gifts, and decor. Use social media posts to highlight these products and their benefits. Use hashtags like #Thankful and #GratitudeGifts to reach a wider audience.
Create a blog post with a gift guide
Create an article with a list of the best gifts for Thanksgiving for people like friends, family, or workmates. Make sure the examples are interesting and relevant to your business to increase the likelihood of getting sales.
Example:
Prepare pre-Black Friday packages
Attract early shoppers with exclusive pre-Black Friday discounts. Promote these bundles through email campaigns and social media posts. Highlight the benefits of shopping early, such as avoiding the rush hour and getting the best selection.
#14 Black Friday (Day after Thanksgiving)
Black Friday kicks off the holiday shopping rush with major discounts and promotions. It's a big day to draw in shoppers with attractive offers.
How small businesses can use it:
Highlight major discounts
Feature your most discounted products or services. Create compelling social media posts and email campaigns to showcase these discounts. Use hashtags like #BlackFridayDeals and #HolidayShopping to increase visibility.
Example:
Create a sense of urgency
Use countdowns and limited-time programs to create a sense of urgency. Highlight how limited quantities or time-sensitive deals encourage customers to act quickly. Respond promptly to inquiries to assist potential buyers and close sales.
Enhance the shopping experience
Offer special perks like free shipping, gift wrapping, or exclusive in-store events. Promote these added benefits in your marketing materials.
Example:
#15 Small Business Saturday (Saturday after Black Friday)
Small Business Saturday happens the day after Black Friday. It was created to support small businesses and encourage people to #ShopSmall. Small Business Saturday is key for local stores as it helps them compete with big retailers.
How small businesses can use it:
Promote sales and special offers
Use social media to draw attention to your bargains. Share posts with eye-catching images of products on sale. Create special hashtags to increase visibility. Engage with followers by responding to comments and messages.
Collaborate with other local shops
Run a community event. Plan joint promotions to benefit all participating stores. Partner with local influencers to spread the word about the event.
Example:
Provide excellent customer service
Encourage shoppers to return. Greet every customer with a smile and assistance. Follow up with customers after their visit through email or social media. Implement a loyalty program to reward repeat shoppers.
#16 Cyber Monday (Monday after Thanksgiving)
Cyber Monday focuses on online savings and digital sales. It's the day for businesses to reach tech-savvy shoppers with exciting online-only promotions.
How small businesses can use it:
Highlight exclusive online discounts
Feature your best online-only price cuts on popular products. Create eye-catching social media posts and email campaigns to showcase these reductions. Use hashtags like #CyberMonday and #OnlineDeals to increase visibility.
Optimize your website for a seamless shopping experience
Be sure your website is user-friendly, mobile-optimized, and capable of handling increased traffic. Highlight easy navigation and secure checkout processes. Respond to customer inquiries to assist with any issues.
Example:
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Use social media to drive traffic
Share posts with vibrant images and engaging content to draw attention to your Cyber Monday specials. Encourage followers to share their purchases and experiences. Use limited-time offers and flash sales to create urgency.
#17 Christmas Eve & Christmas Day (December 24 & 25)
Christmas brings a festive shopping spree with a focus on gifts, decorations, and holiday cheer. Businesses can join in the festive spirit with targeted promotions that make gift shopping fun and easy.
How small businesses can use it:
Promote holiday gifts and decorations
Feature a wide range of holiday gifts, decorations, and festive items. Use social media and email campaigns to highlight these products. Use hashtags like #ChristmasShopping and #HolidayDeals to reach a wider audience.
Send holiday wishes to your audience
Attempt to deepen your relationship with your audience by wishing them a happy holiday season around the time of Christmas. For that purpose, you can utilize various online and offline channels, such as social media, email, post, radio, local television, telephone, and many more.
Example:
Create a festive shopping experience
Decorate your store or website with holiday themes to create a festive atmosphere. Join forces with local influencers to promote your Christmas offerings.
#18 New Year's Eve (December 31)
New Year's Eve is about celebrations and new beginnings. It's when small firms get to create special moments and offer products or services that help customers ring in the new year with joy and resolutions.
How small business owners can benefit from it:
Host New Year's Eve events
Organize special New Year's Eve events, such as parties, dinners, or countdown celebrations. Promote these events through social media and local community boards. Use hashtags like #NewYearsEve and #NYEParties to increase visibility.
Example:
"New Year's Eve Extravaganza
Join us for an unforgettable New Year's Eve celebration! Enjoy a festive dinner, live music, and a spectacular countdown party.
Date: December 31stTime: 7 P.M.- MidnightLocation: [Venue Name]
Don't miss out on the fun! Follow us for updates.
#NewYearsEve #NYEParties #Celebrate2024"
Promote products and services for celebrations
Feature items like party supplies, festive outfits, and celebration kits. Use social media posts to showcase these products.
Highlight products for New Year's resolutions
Promote items that align with common resolutions, such as fitness gear, wellness products, and organizational tools. Create engaging content that emphasizes how your products can help customers achieve their goals.
Example:
"Kickstart Your New Year's Resolutions
Achieve your goals with our top picks for the new year!
- Fitness Gear: Get fit with our range of yoga mats, resistance bands, and dumbbells.
- Wellness Products: Boost your health with vitamins, supplements, and essential oils.
- Organizational Tools: Stay organized with planners, storage solutions, and desk organizers.
Shop now and start your journey to a better you!
#NewYearNewYou #FitnessGoals #WellnessJourney #OrganizedLife"
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What other holidays can you celebrate as a small business?
While we mentioned the most popular holidays for small business, the list doesn’t end just here!
There are so many other days in the year worth celebrating as a small business.
Check out these other promotion opportunities::
- Get To Know Your Customers Day (third Thursday of January)
- Clean Out Your Computer Day (second Monday of February)
- March Employee Appreciation Day (March 1)
- International Women's Day (March 8)
- National Mom and Pop Business Owners Day (March 29)
- National Small Business Week celebrated by the U.S. Small Business Administration (First week of May)
- Postal Workers Day (July 1)
- Financial Awareness Day (August 14)
- Classical Music Month (September, whole month)
- National Dance Day (third Saturday of September)
- National Small Business Day (September 22)
- World Mental Health Day (October 10)
- National Customers Day (October 17)
- Shelter Dog Month (October, whole month)
- Nobel Prize Day (December 10)
Wrapping up
Your small business can use various holidays throughout the year to boost sales, attract customers, and build brand awareness.
These occasions are great opportunities for you to also increase engagement and revenue.
We highly recommend taking advantage of the examples from this article.
Get inspired, create your own initiatives, and watch your company succeed!
