Take Your Dog to Work Day
Little boys and girls shouldn't be the only ones having fun by going to work with mom and dad one day a year. What about your favorite furry companion? The Friday following Father's Day—National Take Your Dog to Work Day—is your dog's lucky day. TYDTW Day was founded in 1997 by Pet Sitters International to promote animal adoption and recognize our pets for all they do. Even though the name suggests exclusivity to dogs, cat lovers can relax, because this day is cat-friendly, too.
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National Nude Day
Try not to think of National Nude Day, July 14, as inappropriate, but as a day to celebrate the human body, like the nudists of the world would want us to. Originating in 1976, this holiday asks us to ignore social constructs and "be free" for one day. As heartwarming of a message as this is, public decency laws are a real thing, so maybe celebrate at a local nudist colony or in your own back yard. Just not at work.
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National Be Late for Something Day
If you're someone who struggles with punctuality, the world can be a cruel place to live for 364 days of the year. But on September 5—National Be Late for Something Day—you have an excuse.
In 1956, a man by the name of Les Waas founded the Procrastinators' Club of America because he believed there were positive aspects of procrastination. "Most people think they don't have time to stop and smell the roses," he said. "This day tries to alleviate that factor." So out of respect for Mr. Waas, next September 5 be sure to stop and smell the roses on your way to work. And get a coffee. And visit with a friend. Because this day comes only once a year.
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National Hairball Day
The last Friday in April —National Hairball Day—isn't about celebrating hairballs, but rather a day to educate oneself on a condition that affects most cats. While it is "not uncommon, for a cat to 'upchuck' a hairball once every week or two," signs of lethargy, refusing to eat and "unproductive retching" can be symptoms of intestinal blockage and a veterinarian should be consulted.
National Hairball Day doesn't appear to be one of the more anticipated holidays, so feel free to get creative and make it fun. How about throwing your cat a party and inviting over his closest friends? On second thought, that's a terrible idea.
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National Repeat Day
National Repeat Day is a kid's dream come true and a parent's worst nightmare. But as we all already know, kids usually like to celebrate this holiday every day of the year. Well, next June 3, be sure to engage in the fun alongside them. Many believers choose to celebrate the day by watching the film "Groundhog Day" or eating at the same restaurant twice.
Get creative—even if that means making the kids take two naps instead of one.
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If Pets Had Thumbs Day
If Pets Had Thumbs Day, which comes around every March 3, is a day for the imagination. How would our lives be different if our furry friends could open doors or pick up objects with their hands? It's likely our pets would be a bit heavier if they could help themselves to the fridge.
Thomas and Ruth Roy of Wellcat Holidays & Herbs, and creators of several other national holidays, launched the holiday several years ago when they realized how lucky it is that our animals don't have opposable thumbs. So really, this holiday is more a day of thankfulness, because leaving a pet with opposable thumbs home alone would essentially be like leaving a toddler home alone, and that would be a nightmare.
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Don't Cry Over Spilled Milk Day
Save the date! Februrary 11—Don't Cry Over Spilled Milk Day—may sound like a silly holiday, but its message—to worry less about the trivial things in life—is a message that would serve us well to remember every day of the year. The proverb is well-rooted in history, having been traced all the way to 1659 in a document written by British historian James Howell and is assumed to have come from European folklore.
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National Teddy Bear Day
Our favorite little stuffed friends deserve a special day too, don't they? While the origins of this holiday are unknown, we do know that the teddy bear was named after President Theodore Roosevelt when, after refusing to shoot a bear on a hunting in trip in 1902, a cartoon of the incident was published in the Washington Post. A New York toy store owner asked permission from the president to name a bear after him, and the rest is history.
Now every September 9, we can celebrate our teddy bears, and be grateful to President Roosevelt for refusing to shoot that bear.
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National Old Stuff Day
There are two very different takes on National Old Stuff Day. Some choose to spend March 2 in nostalgia, visiting antique stores and appreciating something they enjoyed from the past (videotapes, anyone?). Others look at the day as an opportunity to try something new, rather than the "same old, same old."
If you wake up at 8 a.m. every morning and are looking to change things up, National Old Stuff Day is the perfect day to change the alarm clock to 8:30 a.m. instead. We're going to use the day to upgrade from an iPhone 4, because it's come to our attention that it's now old enough to be celebrated on National Old Stuff Day.
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National Panic Day
Why anyone would choose to have a day filled with panicking is beyond us, but that's what March 9 is for, and and we're not here to judge. Perhaps you're a natural worrier, or you constantly try to keep your anxiety in check and just need a day to succumb to the feelings. Well do it! Try to focus less on getting through the stress, and enjoy it for what it is! Oh, and if the panic leads to an emotional breakdown at work, tell your boss you just like the holidays. Then make sure you're put-together the next day.
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National Epitaph Day
While many people know November 2 is the Day of the Dead, fewer people know that the day is also "Write Your Own Epitaph Day." While it may seem grim, Lance Hardie, creator of the day and author of "How to Write Your Own Epitaph—and Live Long Enough to Enjoy It," points out that it's safer to write your own than risk what others might write for you.
For example, what about this poor guy: "Here lies Walter Dudley. He found out too late, Dobermans aren't cuddly," Or this dentist: "Stranger! Approach this spot with gravity! John Brown is filling his last cavity!" They really should have observed "Write Your Own Epitaph Day."
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Evaluate Your Life Day
October 19— Evaluate Your Life Day—is a day for reflection. The creators of the day—Thomas & Ruth Roy of Wellcat Holidays and Herbs—hoped the day would encourage people to look at their lives and determine if they were meeting their goals, or if they needed some redirection.
Some of us may be wary of opening up that can of worms, but it might serve as the perfect opportunity to improve our lives.
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National No Diet Day
National No Diet Day on May 6 is a day we can wholeheartedly celebrate. It was created in 1992 by Mary Evans Young, who, after struggling with anorexia, wanted to help people focus on the positive aspects of their bodies, rather than trying to change them. It is a day to reflect on the body, and for those who decide weight loss is necessary for health reasons, it is a day to take a break from dieting. So whether you're underweight or overweight, find something kind to say about your body next May 6, and enjoy a delicious slice of cake. Or maybe even two.
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National Squirrel Day
When's the last time you stopped and thanked your local squirrel for collecting all the nuts in your yard? Hopefully it was last January 21—National Squirrel Day. It was created by Christy Hargrove, a wildlife rehabilitator from North Carolina on Jan. 21, 2001. She chose the mid-winter date because that's when the critters' food supplies may start to get low. Some people aren't fond of the creatures due to their sometimes aggressive nature, but a "hangry" squirrel is an aggressive squirrel, and a few nuts may be all it takes to turn the creature into a furry friend. Try it, and let us know if it works.
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National Sidewalk Egg Frying Day
On the Fourth of July, everyone is so busy celebrating Independence Day that they often overlook National Sidewalk Egg Frying Day. Well, no more! It's time to bring the heat, sidewalk and eggs together for an "egg-stra" good time!
We're not asking you to cut down on the July 4 festivities, but rather to include egg frying as one of the activities, especially if you plan to throw a party. Your guests may find it odd, but they'll be singing a different tune after trying one of your eggs—maybe.
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