Special days in May
May offers a variety of events that provide inspiration for your email campaigns. From heartfelt messages for Mother’s Day to educational content for Mental Health Awareness Month, these occasions present unique opportunities to connect with your audience in meaningful ways. Here’s a list of special days you can leverage for your newsletters:
Event |
Date |
May Day |
1st May |
Star Wars Day |
4th May |
World Laughter Day |
First Sunday of May |
World Athletics Day |
7th May |
Mother’s Day |
8th May |
International Day of Families |
15th May |
International Museum Day |
18th May |
International Day for Biological Diversity |
22nd May |
National Wine Day |
25th May |
Memorial Day (USA) |
27th May |
Mental Health Awareness Month |
Throughout May |
10 best May newsletter ideas to try out
1. Show behind-the-scenes of your workplace
Best for: B2C, B2B, D2C
May Day (International Workers’ Day) is the perfect occasion to appreciate your employees and showcase the people behind your brand. Share behind-the-scenes (BTS) moments, highlight employee achievements, or send a heartfelt appreciation email. Customers enjoy seeing the human side of a business, which helps strengthen brand loyalty.
Pro Tip: Use employee spotlights, GIFs, or short videos to make your email more engaging.

Source: Drip
Instead of another promotional email, showcase the human side of your brand by sharing photos of the dedicated individuals who consistently deliver exceptional customer experiences. Customers appreciate seeing the faces behind the brand, making it a perfect occasion to humanize your business and foster a stronger bond with your audience.
2. Offer a Labor Day discount and support local businesses
Best for: B2C, D2C
Labor Day is a great opportunity to engage customers with special promotions while also supporting local businesses. Offer exclusive discounts, bundle deals, or loyalty rewards, and collaborate with small businesses to create mutual benefits. You can organize virtual or offline events, feature local brands in your promotions, or run co-branded giveaways to boost engagement.
Pro Tip: Create a sense of urgency with limited-time offers and countdown timers, and highlight your support for local businesses to build goodwill.

Source: BeeFree
3. Send a Mother’s Day gift guide
Best for: B2C, D2C
Mother’s Day is one of the biggest shopping events in May. Help your audience find the perfect gift by curating a gift guide featuring your products or affiliate recommendations. You can also promote gift cards for last-minute shoppers.
Pro Tip: Segment your email list to personalize gift recommendations based on past purchase behavior.

Source: SendPulse
Here's a sweet Mother's Day email template by Mailmodo.
4. Create a memorial day tribute and special offer
Best for: B2C, B2B, D2C
Memorial Day is a significant event in the U.S. Many brands use this opportunity to share patriotic tributes or offer discounts for military families. Consider sending an email honoring veterans while offering a special sale or donation initiative. - products on discounts of military families - share a story of a military family

5. Celebrate Mental Health Awareness Month
Best For: B2C, B2B, Wellness & Self-Care Brands
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, making it the perfect time to encourage self-care and support your audience's mental well-being. Share helpful tips on mindfulness, stress-relief techniques, and wellness practices to promote a balanced lifestyle.

6. Host a spring clearance sale
Best for: Retail, eCommerce, B2C
Spring cleaning isn’t just for homes—it’s for inboxes too! Use May to clear out inventory by offering discounts on seasonal products. Encourage customers to refresh their homes, wardrobes, or digital spaces with your offers.

7. Celebrate teacher appreciation week
Best for: Educational Institutions, Bookstores, SaaS, B2B
Teachers shape our future, and Teacher Appreciation Week is the perfect time to show your gratitude. Consider offering special discounts on books, classroom supplies, or exclusive gifts for educators.
Send heartfelt thank-you notes or emails, and show appreciation through small gestures like a coffee voucher or a thoughtful thank-you card. These acts of kindness can make teachers feel valued and appreciated for their hard work.

8. Send a Star Wars Day special promo or themed content
Best for: eCommerce, Entertainment, Retail
May the Fourth be with you!
Celebrate Star Wars Day by running themed promotions, exclusive discounts, or limited-edition product launches. If you're in the content industry, share fun facts or host a Star Wars trivia event.
Pro Tip: Use Star Wars-inspired subject lines to grab attention.

9. Spread joy on World Laughter Day
Best for: B2C, B2B, Wellness Brands
Make your email subscribers smile by sharing jokes, funny GIFs, or humorous content. You can also offer special promotions on products that bring happiness, such as self-care items or entertainment subscriptions.
Pro Tip: Run a social media contest asking customers to share their funniest moments.

Best for: Wineries, Beverage Brands, Restaurants
Celebrate National Wine Day by offering discounts on wines, hosting virtual tastings, or sharing wine pairing guides. Encourage customers to share their favorite wine moments on social media.
Pro Tip: Create a limited-time subscription box featuring top wine picks.

Final thoughts
May is full of opportunities to create engaging newsletters that connect with your audience and drive results. Whether it’s celebrating Mother’s Day, promoting a Labor Day sale, or sharing mental health tips, there are plenty of creative ways to keep your subscribers engaged.
Next steps: Download this Marketing Planner for more ideas to keep your email strategy on track all year long. Happy emailing!