Here are some of the “big” days (plus some smaller but also interesting ones) in January with ideas on how to celebrate them.
It is one of those “universal” dates when sending a newsletter makes sense for almost any type of business. From a sound equipment manufacturer to a restaurant to a language learning platform, everyone could say something that would fit with their strategy.
This is also the day when people make resolutions for the next year. Make use of this time to join in and offer them help with your product or service.
The language learning platform Duolingo took advantage of the New Year’s Day to send a fun and lighthearted reminder.
From: Duolingo
Subject: Don’t make Duo angry 😡 learn a language in 2024
World Introvert Day was started in 2011 by psychologist and author Felicitas Heyne. She called for a dedicated date to appreciate introverts. It went on to have a widespread impact in multiple countries. This is a good chance to talk to your subscribers if your business is in the mental health space, teaches people to speak at public events, gives career training, or does any of the above.
An email example below takes advantage of World Introvert Day to tie their offer to one of the pain points of introverts — networking. It makes a lot of sense — since Art of Charm offers training and personal coaching on “how to become higher performers, better spouses, partners, and coworkers”.
From: The Art of Charm
Subject: Networking for introverts
The International Mind-Body-Wellness Day belongs to the mainstream holiday email marketing calendar. It’s a great opportunity for fitness, wellness, and mental health companies.
That’s not all — hotels, recreation centers, and outdoor camps also have a good synergy with International Mind-Body-Wellness Day (especially if they host retreats, workshops, and get-togethers that have to do with the topic of the day).
In the email example below, Getaway sent a simple email promoting what people could do at their place.
From: Getaway
Subject: Wellness, Delivered 💌
Epiphany is an international holiday that people from the US, Vatican, Austria, Columbia, Cyprus, Germany, Italy, Croatia, and many other countries observe. At its core, it’s a religious celebration, but there is a bit of a difference between different Churches. The Western Church celebrates the arrival of the Magi (Three Kings or the Wise Men) to the baby Jesus.
In the email example below, The Catholic Company (a leading online and catalog retailer of high-quality Catholic books and gifts) smoothly ties up the topic and its products to promote a sale.
From: The Catholic Company
Subject: Where did the three Kings come from?
Preheader: We know that they came from the East, but where exactly were their home countries?
Are babbles fun? They certainly are when you relax in a warm bath, enjoying their delicate touch. Bubbles are so awesome there is a dedicated Bubble Bath Day… and if your business has anything to do with baths, self-care, wellness, or even relationship coaching, then it’s the best time to take advantage of it.
An email from Hustler Hollywood (a company that sells adult toys and related products) put a sensual spin on the topic to connect it to what they sell.
From: Hustler Hollywood
Subject: Want a VERY sexy Sunday? 🔥
Preheader: Here’s everything you need.
This one can also be part of the alternative holiday calendar.
If your business sells houseplants, pots for them, or things related to gardening in general (soils, seeds, fertilizers for home gardeners, grower pots, etc.), you’ve got a reason to send an email.
From: Bloomscape
Subject: Up to 30% for Houseplant Day – Today Only!
Preheader: Celebrate Houseplant Appreciation Day with us!
This is a federal holiday in the US that falls on the third Monday of the year.
MLK Day is designed as a National Day of Service. It is a good time to talk about diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Many brands make a sale on this day, too, like Coffee Wholesale USA did in the example below.
They tied their sale to the famous quote by Martin Luther King Jr.
From: Coffee Wholesale USA
Subject: Time is running out! Expires tonight
The date of the Lunar New Year varies from year to year because the lunar calendar is based on the cycles of the moon. The Lunar New Year will officially start on January 29th 2025. The celebrations will go on for 15 days, or two weeks.
In the email example below, Miles takes advantage of this long period to give bonus miles.
From: Miles
Subject: Lunar New Year Bonus Miles
Some events in January last more than a day. It’s an even better opportunity to connect with your subscribers, promote your products, and run a sale.
The advantage of a week-long event is that you could do an email nurture campaign or set up an automated email drip campaign. This gives you a way to “talk” to the subscriber using multiple emails that gently guide them towards the purchase, paid trial, premium subscription, or help to know your brand better.
Here is the list of many January observances, grouped by week.
The first week (January 1-4, 2025):
The second week (January 5-11, 2025):
Third week (January 12-18, 2025):
Fourth week (January 19-25, 2025):
The fifth week (January 26-31, 2025):
Here is an example of an email nurture campaign to use for inspiration.
There are also month-long observances in January. Here is a list of them, in no particular order:
And, there are more international ones that are full of engagement (and sales) potential:
Still, there are multiple ways to spin this around. In the example below, Winc offers a discount on alcohol during Dry January. They did the exact opposite of what the month was supposed to be about.
From: Winc
Subject: Today only: Get 4 bottles for $20.22
From: Notorious Nooch
Subject: Happy Veganuary! 24% Off Our Nooch for a Limited Time
The events mentioned in the previous paragraph last the whole month, so choose one and build a campaign around it. Plan out the campaign before starting to send. Decide how many emails you are going to send, when, and what they will be about.
Here are some examples of how you could choose a holiday, and options on how to structure such email campaigns.
Here is an example of an email campaign for a month-long event.
Your email will work better if you pay attention to these things:
From: BWH Plant Co
Subject: Happy Houseplant Appreciation Day!
Preheader: Celebrate the love of plants
January has few big holidays, but there are dozens of smaller events, plus week-long and month-long ones. This gives an awesome opportunity to do email nurturing campaigns and incorporate your products in them in a non-salezy way. Instead of a straightforward sale, such an approach gently guides and persuades people.
Here’s how to make the most out of it:
