I hope you all had a great Labor Day! Our last long weekend of the summer is over, the kids are back in school, and the threat of dropping temperatures looms. It’s easy to mourn the end of summer during September, when it’s still warm outside, but life is back to “normal” and it’s not early enough to go all-in on Halloween (unless you are Disney World, where it has been Halloween for a month). To combat these late summer doldrums, it’s important to find something to celebrate!
That I just wrote that sentence is a bit shocking to me. I’ve spent the last couple of years feeling like I haven’t wanted to celebrate anything. I feel like I’m turning a corner, though, so now I want to celebrate everything, and I’m looking for reasons to add a little happy to my days.
Reasons to Celebrate
Enter those ridiculous “holidays” that you hear about on morning radio shows. You know the ones. They usually have something to do with food or hobbies or some other random topic. Instead of scoffing at those funny holidays, let’s lean into them this September. Celebrating these fun little holidays gives you (and your kids) something to get excited about during this month of transition. We all need a little bit of happy excitement in our lives. And really, why not celebrate World Guacamole Day (September 16th)?
I know what you’re thinking. You don’t need another thing to add to your list that’s already a mile and a half long. I hear you. But you don’t have to make celebrating these fun September holidays a production. Just a little nod to the holiday is plenty to raise your spirits and add a little fun to your September. I’ve even given you ideas for how you can celebrate these fun September holidays in a low-key, manageable way. And please don’t try to celebrate all of them. My goal is to do one each week. If this sounds like a fun way to jazz up your September, read on to get inspired!
Fun September Holidays
Week 1: September 1-7
September 4 – Eat an Extra Dessert Day
I mean, this fun September holiday is a no-brainer. Even if you just sneak a Reese’s cup into your day, this is easy to accomplish and worth celebrating. If you want to mark this fun September holiday with a bit more pomp and circumstance, now is a great time to start your apple baking. If you need some inspiration, my husband wholeheartedly suggests an apple crumble pie. He will eat a whole pie in one sitting if I let him.
September 5 – Be Late for Something Day
If you have kids, you’re already going to be late for something on September 5th, why not turn this inevitability on its head and celebrate your lateness?
September 5 – Cheese Pizza Day
Who doesn’t like an excuse to eat cheese pizza? My kids are definitely excited for this fun September holiday, and I love that I already know what we are having for dinner.
September 6 – Read a Book Day
If you read my Celebrate Book Lovers Day with Kids post, you can absolutely celebrate Read a Book Day just like you celebrated Book Lovers Day. At least read a book (or a chapter) to celebrate.
September 7 – Salami Day
It’s another fun September holiday dedicated to food! This time it’s a celebration of salami, which to me means it’s charcuterie board time. Basic or fancy, elevated snack or light dinner, make yourself a charcuterie board and make sure to include salami!
Week 2: September 8-14
September 9 – Teddy Bear Day
You can celebrate this fun September holiday simply by giving your teddy bear (or your kid’s teddy bear a hug). If you want to be super cute about it, have your kids throw their teddy bears a tea party. How cute would that be!?
September 11 – Make Your Bed Day
So, this might not be the most fun September holiday we have available to us, but don’t let this one pass by unnoticed if you have kids (or a husband). It’s a constant struggle in my house to get my preschooler to make his bed, but I’m thinking if we call it a holiday and make a big deal out of it, he might be excited to make his bed for once. A mom can dream!
September 12 – Chocolate Milkshake Day
I love chocolate milkshakes, so this is one fun September holiday we will absolutely be celebrating in my house. You’d think that I had enough chocolate malt milkshakes while I was pregnant with my oldest that I wouldn’t ever want another one, but you’d be wrong. I still love them. My kids love them too. When my oldest was almost 2, we went to get milkshakes one afternoon and let him have a sip. He ended up grabbing my milkshake and hugging it. I think he will be excited to celebrate Chocolate Milkshake Day too!
September 13 – Positive Thinking Day
Positive thinking does not come naturally to me. I have to really work to look at things in a positive light. I’m looking forward to celebrating Positive Thinking Day so I can have a whole day going through life looking at the world as a glass half full. It might just change my perspective, and yours too if you need it!
Week 3: September 15-21
September 15 – Make a Hat Day
I am not a crafty mom, so this is a fun September holiday that is a bit intimidating to me. But I’m trying to be more of a fun mom, so I’m looking forward to getting out the craft supplies and making hats on September 15th. I don’t have high hopes for what these hats might look like, but it’ll be a fun activity to do with the kids in any event.
September 16 – World Guacamole Day
Ole! It’s super easy and super yummy to celebrate this fun September holiday. Grab a tub of guacamole from the grocery store, head out to your favorite Mexican restaurant for dinner, or try your hand at making homemade guacamole. I support any of these options for celebrating World Guacamole Day!
September 16 – Collect Rocks Day
If you have a toddler, you must celebrate this fun September holiday. Every toddler I know loves to go around and collect rocks of all shapes and sizes. When my oldest was a toddler, I would find rocks in his pockets, in his cupholders, even in his diapers! Use Collect Rocks Day as a great excuse to encourage your little adventurers and get outside.
September 17 – International Country Music Day
What a fun excuse for a dance party! If you are a country music lover, it’s time to get down, turn around, go to town, boot scootin’ boogie. If you’re not naturally inclined toward country music, but you’re a Swiftie, September 17th is a great time to go back to explore her earlier, country-leaning music.
September 18 – Rice Krispie Treat Day
Another fun September holiday aimed at a delicious treat, you must celebrate Rice Krispie Treat Day! Of course, the classic Rice Krispie Treat recipe is always delicious, but if you’re feeling fancy, I fully endorse this S’mores version!
September 21 – Miniature Golf Day
Mini golf is a classic summer activity, so why not spend the last day of summer celebrating Miniature Golf Day! My 4-year-old has been asking to go, so this is the perfect excuse to say yes!
Week 4+: September 22-30
September 23 – Checkers Day
I have so many childhood memories playing checkers. It’s a low-tech game that’s suitable for nearly all ages, so I’m sure I’m not the only one who remembers playing a lot of checkers as a kid. Pull out your dusty old checkers set (or buy a fresh one if you haven’t managed to get yourself a checkers set of your own), find a partner, and have a checkers game for the ages. King me!
September 26 – Love Note Day
What a fun activity for a September afternoon. Grab some paper and a pen and write some love notes. Write a love note to your significant other, your kids, heck, you can even write a love note to the dog!
September 28 – Good Neighbor Day
I wish I was a better neighbor than I am. It’s hard to focus on your neighbors in today’s fast paced world. But let’s use September 28th as a reason to change that. Bake a treat for your neighbors and deliver it door-to-door. Bring up your neighbor’s trash cans. There are many small things that you can do to be a good neighbor that take very little time out of your busy schedule.
September 30 – Hot Mulled Cider Day
Ending the month of fun September holidays, we have Hot Mulled Cider Day and the Fall feels really begin! The perfect end to this month of transition, grab yourself a mug of hot mulled cider and get ready for all the Fall things!
I hope you’ll celebrate some of these fun September holidays. Keep up posted on which ones you choose to celebrate over on Instagram @sarainseason.