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December is a great time of the year for spreading love and cheer, showering our loved ones (our pets!) with gifts, and being charitable. Your Astro Marketing Team has collected materials related to the top holidays of the month, as well as fun stuff related to some of the goofiest holidays of the month. That way no one is left out and everyone can get into the spirit!
Table of Contents
Holidays in green include Offer Pairings or would work with your own in-store promotions. Holidays in red pair nicely with Sharing the Love. While holidays in blue are designed to spread awareness. And some can be more than one. There are no real rules here, just have fun with it!
Month-Long Observances
One-Day Holidays
- Dec 2: National Mutt Day
- Dec 4: National Cookie Day
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Dec. 5: Celebrate Shelter Pets Day
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Dec. 13: National Ice Cream Day
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Dec. 13: National Horse Day
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Dec. 15: National Cat Herders Day
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Dec. 17: National Ugly Sweater Day
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Dec. 23: Festivus
- Dec 25: Christmas
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Dec. 30: National Bacon Day
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Dec. 31: New Years Eve
Month-Long Observances
National Cat Lovers Month
The entire month of December is dedicated to loving cats and we think that's purr-fect!
Cats are great. They are primo snugglers (when they want to be of course) and talented comedians. It has even been scientifically proven that having cats around is good for your health and wellbeing!
Did you know that the sound of a cat purring can help heal your muscles and bones!
Paging Dr. Meowstein... your purrs are needed...
Say what now?! 🤯
It's true! "A cat's purr creates vibrations at a frequency of 20-140 HZ, and studies have shown that frequencies in the 18-35 HZ range have a positive effect on joint mobility after an injury."
So we think our kitties deserve one heck of a thank-you. And what better way than to offer up some awesome Astro Offers!
Marketing Materials: Astro Template under Holiday. Sharable Image under Astro Media > Lifestyle > Holiday
Sharing the Love: Remind your customers that you support pet adoption so they know to visit your store when they adopt.
Social Media Fun: Share your favorite fun facts about cats, ask your customers to share their cat pics - share your own cat pics and memes. Have fun!
Hashtags: #NationalCatLoversMonth
Operation Santa Paws
Founded in 2001 by Justin Rudd, an animal lover himself, Operation Santa Paws is a call to all animal lovers to donate blankets, treats, food, toys, supplies, and money for all our loyal furry friends housed in several shelters and rescue centers around the country.
Check out their website for more information on how you can get involved. There you will find a wishlist of desired items to collect for local shelters, a link to download a poster for your collection bin, as well as collection centers in your area.
Social Media Fun: This is a great cause to get behind on social media. There you can spread awareness and even announce your own participation in the event.
One-Day Holidays
Dec. 2: National Mutt Day
On National Mutt Day, Dec 2, we celebrate the doggiest of dogs - the MUTT!
We all know what makes our dogs special - they love us unconditionally, they are our allies in adventure, ice-breakers for the socially awkward, our exercise partners, and cuddle buddies - you get the picture!
Mutts or "MUTT-igrees", have some extra superpowers that make them the best pedigree of all!
Their genetic pool is more like an ocean. The blending of genes from a larger pool helps fight deficiencies, this adds to the dog's overall lifespan and health.
Some believe that Shelter Mutts recognize that their adoptor saved them. They love us more because they experienced a time without love.
Mutts can be exceptionally handsome, or goofy looking! Either way, they are a feast for the eyes and a joy to be around!
Marketing Materials: Astro Template under Holiday. Sharable Image under Astro Media > Lifestyle > Holiday
Sharing the Love: Remind your customers that you support pet adoption so they know to visit your store when they adopt.
Social Media Fun: Share your favorite fun facts about mutts, ask your customers to share their mutt pics - share your own mutt pics and memes. Have fun!
Hashtags: #NationalMuttDay
Dec 4: National Cookie Day
Cookies! Cookies! Cookies! They are everyone's favorite treat, especially when it comes to our pets. The coolest thing about pet bakery cookies and the treats showcased in our Astro Offers is that they are both delicious and HEALTHY! That's right, a healthy cookie, who'd a thunk it.
So don't miss this opportunity to talk treats and cookies with your customers!
Marketing Materials: Astro Template under Holiday. Sharable Image under Astro Media > Lifestyle > Holiday
Social Media Fun: Share your favorite dog cookie recipes, highlight your Astro Treat Offers, showcase your bakery cookies.
Hashtags: #NationalCookieDay
Dec. 5: Celebrate Shelter Pets Day
People are more likely to adopt a shelter pet if they've spoken with someone who has already done so. On Celebrate Shelter Pets Day the Shelter Pet Project asks all pet lovers to be that someone by telling their adopted pets’ stories on social media.
The Shelter Pet Project encourages those eager to participate on December 5 to share photos of their adopted cats or dogs across social media, along with their adoption stories. Being part of the celebration is easy!
Simply tag your post with #CelebrateShelterPets, a hashtag for the shelter or rescue organization from which you adopted, and the Shelter Pet Project (@shelterpets on Twitter, @shelterpetproject on Instagram and Facebook).
Marketing Materials: Astro Template under Holiday. Sharable Image under Astro Media > Lifestyle > Holiday
Sharing The Love: Remind your customers that you support pet adoption so they know to visit your store when they adopt.
Social Media Fun: Share your participation in Sharing The Love and tag your local rescues to show your support.
Hashtags: #CelebrateShelterPetsDay @shelterpets on Twitter, @shelterpetproject on Instagram and Facebook
Dec. 13: National Ice Cream Day
Today we celebrate the Pints & Quarts of Ice Cream that were created so we can enjoy these sweet, creamy, cold treats at home.
Thanks to brands like The Bear & The Rat and Boss Dog, our pets can join in on the fun and enjoy a cup of frozen creamy goodness at home too. The coolest part is these frozen fro-yo and goat milk treats are loaded with probiotics and enzymes that together give our pet's digestive system a healthy boost.
Marketing Materials: Astro Template under Holiday. Sharable Image under Astro Media > Lifestyle > Holiday
Social Media Fun: Invite your customers to stop by some pet fro-yo. Share some of the health benefits associated with fro-yo treats for pets. Use this as an opportunity to educate.
Hashtags: #NationalIceCreamDay
Dec. 13: National Horse Day
In 2004, December 13 was declared National Horse Day. On this day we celebrate and appreciate the role the horse has played in our society.
Whether they’re helping plow fields; move food and supplies into rural areas; move livestock in ranches; or just provide sweet, thoughtful equine therapy; horses have woven themselves into the fabric of life in America.
To celebrate this holiday you can...
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Enjoy a horse ride - if you are lucky enough to have a horse buddy in your midst.
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Donate to a local or national horse charity or rescue. Some options include:
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Watch a horse movie! Our favorites are The Black Stallion, Hidalgo, and National Velvet, but here's a Top 15 List of the Best Horse Movies of All Time.
Marketing Materials: Astro Template under Holiday. Sharable Image under Astro Media > Lifestyle > Holiday
Social Media Fun: Share some ways your customers celebrate this holiday. Use My Promotions to create your own limited-time special for horse owners.
Hashtags: #NationalHorseDay
Dec. 15: National Cat Herders Day
December 15th is National Cat Herders Day! This celebration is meant for those who can manage others and themselves no matter what chaos is thrown their way.
Have you heard this expression, "like herding cats"?
You may remember it from the early 2000s when Hewlett Packard aired their now-famous SuperBowl commercial, Cat Herders. Since then, the phrase is mostly used to describe those who can lead and handle life even when it is uncontrollable.
I'd like to think that these past couple of years has made us all honorary Cat Herders in our own right! So take a moment and give yourself a pat on the back cowboy!
Many of us can even relate to being literal Cat Herders! If you seasoned cat-pokes need some help controlling your herd at home we got you covered!
Marketing Materials: Astro Template under Holiday. Sharable Image under Astro Media > Lifestyle > Holiday
Sharing The Love: Remind your customers that you support pet adoption so they know to visit your store when they adopt.
Social Media Fun: Those volunteering at shelters and as fosters are the literal cat herders of the world - show your support while sharing info about your involvement in Sharing The Love.
Hashtags: #NationalCatHerdersDay
Dec. 17: National Ugly Sweater Day
It's getting chilly! What a perfect excuse to show off your inventory of nice, cozy, holiday sweaters.
Master the art of the holiday portrait and dazzle your customers with your Instagram artistry. I'm sure you have a pet on staff that would love to model one of your favorite holiday sweaters.
You could even host your own Ugliest Sweater Competition on your social media!
Tag us when you post! We want to see it!
Marketing Materials: Astro Template under Holiday. Sharable Image under Astro Media > Lifestyle > Holiday
Social Media Fun: You can really have fun with this one! If you carry sweaters at your store post some pics so your customers know where they can get a cute sweater for their pet. Or host an Ugly Sweater Competition - prompt your customers to post pictures of their pets in sweaters in the comments of your first post. Then announce the winner in a follow-up post. How you choose the winner is up to you (based on "likes" or your staff can pick the winner). The prize, if there is one other that mad props, can be up to you as well!
Hashtags: #NationalUglySweaterDay
Dec. 23: Festivus
Do you need a moment to break away from the hustle and bustle of the holidays? Then Festivus is for you!
Festivus is a secular holiday celebrated every year on December 23rd. Festivus was originally the brainchild of the creators of Seinfeld and was the theme of an episode called "The Strike" where Frank Costanza explains the holiday. Since then it has taken on a life of its own and is now celebrated as a wacky holiday in its own right.
The usual holiday tradition of a tree is manifested in an unadorned aluminum pole, which is in direct contrast to normal holiday materialism. Those attending Festivus may also participate in the "Airing of Grievances" which is an opportunity to tell others how they have disappointed you in the past year, followed by a Festivus dinner, and then completed by the "Feats of Strength" where the head of the household must be pinned.
All of these traditions are based upon the events in the Seinfeld episode, Strangely enough, our Festivus traditions also have roots that pre-date Seinfeld, as it began in the household of Dan O'Keefe, a television writer who is credited for writing the Seinfeld episode.
Marketing Materials: Astro Template under Holiday. Sharable Image under Astro Media > Lifestyle > Holiday
Social Media Fun: This holiday is a bit of a goof, so have fun with it. For instance, I can definitely see my cats wanting to get in on the tradition of the airing of grievances. Or my dog wanting to compete in the feats of strength. 😁
Hashtags: #Festivus #AiringOfGrievances #FeatsOfStrength
Dec. 25: Christmas
Some would say Christmas is the most magical time of the year! It's a time to spend with close friends and family, exchange gifts, and don festive sweaters 😁. Our pets are our closest friends and most definitely part of the family so it is only fitting that they be involved in the gifting.
I still remember being a kid and getting those Macy's Wishbooks and going through and picking out what I wanted - wouldn't it be cool to do the same thing for our pets! Grab some pictures of the most giftable items you have in your shop and add them to an Astro Template or post them to your social media.
Consider creating a Giving Tree! Create some ornaments featuring pets from your favorite local shelter or rescue on one side, and print the name of a needed item on the other side. Then simply decorate the tree, including these ornaments, and provide a collection space or have the donors bring the gifts directly to the shelter. If you need help making the ornament reach out to your local rescues and request that they make and deliver the ornaments to you, then all you need to do is provide the tree.
Marketing Materials: Several Astro Templates under Holiday and Featured (including Wishlists), Several Images within Astro Media > Lifestyle > Holiday
Social Media Fun: Many consider the whole month of December to be the Christmas or Holiday Season so you are welcome to post in this theme leading up to Christmas. Keep it fun with memes, gifs, and cartoons. Post your best Holiday Offers (many of our brands chose to decorate their Offer images with cheery holiday designs!). Share pics of your Giving Tree and thank your customers for donating. On Christmas, you could post a simple greeting letting your community know you are thinking of them - include a picture of your pets enjoying their presents. Invite your customers to share pics of their pets enjoying the holiday.
Blog Article to Share: Our Pets & The Season Of Giving - this can be shared on your social media along with your own comments and contributions, or you can add it to an Astro Template and send it with a Campaign.
Related Holidays: Operation Santa Paws
Hashtags: #HappyHolidays #GivingTree #MerryChristmas #SeasonOfGiving
Dec. 30: National Bacon Day
There's no reason why a pet's reward cannot also have health benefits. This is a goofy holiday that you can use to talk about the healthy treats that you offer at your store.
Marketing Materials: Astro Template under Holiday. Sharable Image under Astro Media > Lifestyle > Holiday
Social Media Fun: Use this as an opportunity to educate about healthy treating habits.
Hashtags: #NationalBaconDay
Dec. 31: New Years Eve
First of all, Happy New Year! This is a great time to fill your customers in on any announcements you have for the new year.
Do you have any New Years Resolutions to share? Do you have suggestions that would make great resolutions for pet parents? Such as: introducing supplements into their routine, enrolling in that training class they've been considering, or downloading your free Astro mobile app so they don't miss out on savings!
I have a suggested New Year's resolution for you, and since you are reading this there's an excellent chance you are already doing it - but if you haven't already, check out Astro Offers and our Marketing Suite. Ask questions of your Astro Team. Join us for a webinar or subscribe to our YouTube Channel. Follow and tag us on social media - Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter (we follow back!). We have some BIG announcements coming for 2022 and we don't want you to miss a thing!
Marketing Materials: Astro Template under Holiday. Sharable Image under Astro Media > Lifestyle > Holiday
Social Media Fun: Wish your customers a very Happy New Year! Keep it fun and cheery. Tease them with some previews of fun stuff you have planned for 2022.
Hashtags: #HappyNewYear #Welcome2022 #NewYears2022
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