The late Andy Rooney had a knack of making listeners or readers smile when he brought to our attention a “tongue in cheek” observation about unusual events or every day activities.
We in the hospitality industry all know the major holidays and events to link special meals and promotions to, but there are literally hundreds of others. I once hired Max Hitchins of Australia to lead a workshop on this topic and the ideas he shared has led me at different times to look for other, more unusual “events” or days to celebrate locally or in-house and at ZERO cost. The staff is less bored and may become more energized and the guests appreciate the creativity.
Here are four quick ideas you can use over the next five days:
National Hugging Day
When: Always January 21st
What a great day! This is an opportunity to give and to receive. Give a hug, and you automatically receive one in return. Sure, someone might not hug back. But, how often does that happen!?!
Hugs are loving. Hugs are therapeutic. Hugs are caring. Hugs are celebratory. Hugs make you feel good inside. Have you ever received a hug from someone who didn’t care? I didn’t think so. That’s proof positive that you’re loved and cared about.
Celebrate today by giving hugs to family, friends and loved ones. You’ll love the warm feeling you get.
Origin of National Hugging Day:
National Hugging Day was created in 1986 by Rev. Kevin Zaborney from Caro, Michigan. Strangely, this day is copyrighted. One would think that hugs should be given freely and without recourse. Regardless, we are thankful to the Reverend Zaborney for creating this day and would love to thank him with a big hug.
National Pie Day
When : Always January 23rd
The American Pie Council created this day simply to celebrate the pie.
National Pie Day is a special day that is set aside to bake and cook all of your favorite pies. On this day, you are also encouraged to bake a few new pie recipes. And most importantly, it’s a day to eat pies!
A great way to celebrate National Pie Day is to bake some pies and give them away to friends, neighbors, and relatives. You never know, you may be starting a tradition of pie giving between your friends and family.
The American Pie Council sponsors the National Pie Championships. Some of the best pie makers in the world enter their pies. Perhaps you will enter and win the “American Pie Council’s Best Pie in America” award.
Origin of National Pie Day:
National Pie Day was created by the American Pie Council. The American Pie Celebration began in 1986 to commemorate Crisco’s 75th anniversary of “serving foods to families everywhere.”
National Handwriting Day
When : Always January 23rd
National Handwriting Day is an opportunity to reintroduce yourself to a pen or pencil and a piece of paper. In this day of computers, more and more information, notes, and letters are sent back and forth via a keyboard and cyberspace.
According to the Writing Instrument Manufacturers Association (WIMA) website “The purpose of National Handwriting Day is to alert the public to the importance of handwriting. According to WIMA, National Handwriting Day is a chance for all of us to re-explore the purity and power of handwriting.”
Some of the available documentation we read, suggests concern by stationary, paper companies, and pen and pencil manufacturers that the electronic world will shrink demand for their products. But, indeed, statistics show that pen(or pencil) and paper are alive and well, with a growing demand.
Participate in National Handwriting Day by writing a note or letter to someone. Love letters are cool. Notes to people who are ill or incapacitated will be well received.
Origin of National Handwriting Day:
National Handwriting Day was established by the Writing Instrument Manufacturers Association in 1977. Their motive is obvious…to promote the consumption of pens, pencils, and writing paper.
January 23rd was chosen because this is the birthday of John Hancock. John Hancock was the first person to sign the Declaration of Independence.
Beer Can Appreciation Day
When : Always January 24th
Now here’s a day that some of us can really get into! Actually, the stuff is what is usually appropriated, especially when it icy cold on a hot day.
Beer Can Appreciation Day celebrates that great day in 1935 when beer was first sold in cans.
Okay, laugh if you will. But, believe me when I say that Beer Can Appreciation Day is a big and important day to many people.
A lot of people do not know that there’s a huge number of beer can collectors out there. Collectors meticulously open a beer can from the bottom, empty it (and drink the beer, of course), then wash and dry it. For beer can collectors, there is no shortage of types of beer, cans and bottles, and sizes. A beer can collector may have hundreds of cans and bottles.
News You Can Use: There’s a market for beer cans. If you come across an old can, do not throw it out. Rather, check out the prices in a collector’s catalog, or on Ebay.
Beer Can Appreciation Day provides us with the opportunity to enjoy and appreciate the many different kinds of beer cans. Enjoy today by starting, or adding to your beer can collection. As you empty the new cans, drink the contents. After all, you don’t want to be wasteful do you?
Important Note: Please drink responsibly. And, if you drink…….don’t drive.
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Success does not come by accident or chance.
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John.Hogan@HospitalityEducators.com or 602-799-5375
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| KEYS TO SUCCESS is the umbrella title for my 2011-2012 programs, hospitality services and columns. This year’s writings focus on a variety of topics for hotel owners, managers and professionals including both my “HOW TO” articles, HOSPITALITY CONVERSATIONS™, Lessons from the Field™, Hotel Common Sense™ , THE P-A-R PRINCIPLE™ and Principles for Success. |
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John Hogan is a successful hospitality executive, educator, author and consultant and is a frequent keynote speaker and seminar leader at many hospitality industry events. He is CEO and Co-Founder of www.HospitalityEducators.com , which delivers focused and affordable counsel in solving specific challenges facing hospitality today.
www.HospitalityEducators.com is a membership site offering a wide range of information, forms, best practices and ideas designed to help individual hoteliers and hospitality businesses improve their market penetration, deliver service excellence and increase their profitability.
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