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We're all familiar with holidays like Christmas, Halloween, Mother’s Day, Independence Day, and Thanksgiving. Some might even rank among our favorites! But what about the lesser-known holidays that go unnoticed? Here are 10 holidays that no one really celebrates.
10. Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day (January 25th)
Who doesn't love bubble wrap? It’s not just for protecting fragile items – many people enjoy popping the bubbles as a way to relieve stress. You might even get creative and use bubble wrap for things like:
- Padding your knees
- Shielding plants from frost
- Insulating windows to keep the warmth in
If you’re fond of bubble wrap and its satisfying pops, show some love to its creators by grabbing a few rolls and spending your day indulging in some bubble-popping fun!
9. Get a Different Name Day (February 13th)
Tired of your name being called out too often? Maybe Get a Different Name Day is what you need! The idea behind this day is that anyone should be free to pick a new name and have everyone address them as such.
If the thought of changing your legal name has been on your mind, you can make it official—but you may need a solid reason to do so. Once done, don’t forget to update your documents and let your friends and family know about your new identity. (If you want them to, of course.)
Alternatively, you can opt to change your name for fun on social media. Let everyone know that you’ll only respond to your new name, and make it official across all your platforms!
Feel free to pick an entirely unique name like 'Dragon Slayer 69'—there’s nothing stopping you!
8. Random Acts of Kindness Day (February 17th)
Random Acts of Kindness Day is all about spreading love to those around you. You can show kindness without expecting anything in return, and here are some simple ways to do so:
- Give a stranger a warm smile
- Offer a sincere compliment
- Thank your bus driver for getting you to your destination safely
- Help your neighbor with mowing the lawn
- Surprise your coworker with their favorite snack
- Show gratitude to your local fire department, police, or military personnel
Research shows that being kind not only boosts happiness but also improves health. People who engage in kind acts have lower risks of heart disease and high blood pressure. Starting with small, random acts of kindness can help spread good energy all around.
7. Panic Day (March 9th)
Ever felt the urge to just let go and embrace that feeling of panic? March 9th is the perfect day for it.
Panic Day is meant to acknowledge how overwhelming life can be and explore ways to relieve that stress. With stress being harmful to our health, it’s the ideal day to reach out to a mental health professional if you’re feeling consumed by worry.
As the day arrives, take the chance to release all that tension—whether that means screaming into a pillow, dancing through your living room, or hiking a mountain to let out a loud yell!
Alternatively, you could take a more tranquil route—practice deep breathing, listen to uplifting music, rediscover an old hobby, or just enjoy a good movie.
6. Ex-Spouse Day (April 14th)
Valentine’s Day is the day for lovers to celebrate their bond. But what about the singles? Ex-Spouse Day is here for you!
National Ex-Spouse Day, which conveniently comes two months after Valentine’s Day, is a day to reflect on the good moments shared with your ex. Yes, you read that right. There are positive memories between you and your ex, but this isn’t about holding on to them. Think fondly of those moments, then release them and embrace their absence.
Ex-Spouse Day encourages those who have ended a relationship to let go of lingering resentment and forgive their former partner. So, how do you celebrate? Here are a few ideas:
- Donate items that remind you of your ex to a charity or have a cleansing bonfire to rid yourself of them.
- Show appreciation to your children from a past relationship and acknowledge the blessings that came from it.
- Send your ex flowers or a thoughtful gift. Even if things didn’t work out, it’s important to cherish the happy moments you shared.
5. Leave the Office Early Day (June 2nd)
We've reached the ultimate dream for every employee and the worst nightmare for every boss: Leave the Office Early Day. This holiday highlights the amount of time Americans spend at work and underscores the importance of taking time off.
Many people work to live, not live to work. In 2004, Laura Stack, an employee productivity expert, established Leave the Office Early Day to promote the benefits of better office productivity. So, how can you celebrate when your boss is unlikely to grant you an early exit?
Use Leave the Office Early Day as a motivation to finish your tasks early. Focus on improving your productivity to make it home sooner.
Offering early leave as a reward has been shown to be beneficial for both employees and employers, creating a win-win situation. There’s no greater reward than allowing employees to leave early, ultimately boosting long-term productivity.
4. I Forgot Day (July 2nd)
We've all forgotten something in our lives, whether it’s where we left our car keys, things on our shopping list, a project deadline, or even our wedding anniversary. (Oops!)
Gaye Anderson from DeMotte, IN, created this day to acknowledge a natural part of being human: forgetfulness. Instead of stressing over it, she turned it into a chance to relax and simply forget. Ironically, Gaye has no recollection of when she started this holiday, but it was likely around 2010.
How can you mark this occasion? Since the day is about making up for things you've forgotten, you might consider writing a heartfelt apology for forgetting a birthday or other significant event.
Or, you could have fun by crafting a calendar! I Forgot Day could also be a great excuse to jot down reminders for regular tasks, like trash day on Wednesday. Celebrate the day by doing all of this on… oh, wait, right, July 2nd.
3. Pretend to Be a Time Traveler Day (December 8th)
Imagine this: Someone suddenly appears, acting bewildered, and asks a nearby person, 'What year is it?' After they get the answer, the person smiles and whispers, 'It worked!' But... it’s all a prank. December 8th, Pretend to Be a Time Traveler Day, is your chance to do the same.
The Koala Wallop online community introduced this day in 2007. It’s a way to honor the fantasies of countless scientists, sci-fi enthusiasts, and even historians who dream of traveling through time.
Time travel has captured the human imagination for centuries, with myths and legends from ancient cultures surrounding this concept. Works like A Christmas Carol and Back to the Future dive into this fascinating idea in modern literature and cinema.
This annual celebration is a mix of performance art, humor, and just plain fun, offering a unique experience. Grab a few friends, dress in outfits from the future or the past, and hit the streets. To make it more convincing, ask strangers for the year and react with shock, or gaze at everything as if it’s completely new and bewildering.
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2. Have a Bad Day (November 19th)
We don’t mean to wish you a heap of bad luck while you’re doing your best. Yes, there is a day dedicated to just having a bad day.
This day exists to remind us that life doesn’t always go as planned. It’s perfectly fine to walk into a door, trip over your own feet, step on a Lego, slip on a banana peel, and end up falling flat—all at once.
If you’re game, you might even choose to embrace a rotten day. If bad days are inevitable, why not enjoy them? This holiday encourages you to realize that how you handle those rough days is entirely up to you. Don’t suppress your feelings; let them out and embrace the chaos.
1. Stay Away from Seattle Day (September 16th)
You may be wondering what inspired the creation of Stay Away from Seattle Day. Does someone have an intense dislike for the city? Actually, it's quite the opposite. Thomas Roy founded this day because of his deep affection for Seattle, and he’d rather people stay away to protect its charm.
Seattle, Washington, is celebrated as one of America's top cities. With major players like Amazon, Microsoft, and Starbucks, the area offers abundant job opportunities. Every year, many people consider moving to Seattle, causing concern among the locals. Will the city become too crowded?
Thomas Roy explained in an interview with The Los Angeles Times, “Those folks deserve at least one day every year when no one shows up.” He added, “No planes. No buses. Nothing in.”
There are plenty of ways to observe Stay Away from Seattle Day:
- The ideal way to observe Stay Away from Seattle Day is by staying clear of the city.
- If you’re a resident, step out and enjoy your city without the usual hustle and bustle.
- Consider donating to local causes or supporting small businesses to show your appreciation for the Seattle community.
