So captivated was I with the pomp and pageantry of Queen Elizabeth’s Diamond Jubilee Weekend that I missed National Doughnut Day, celebrated annually on the first Friday of June.

The Chicago Salvation Army created this event in 1938 as a fundraiser during the dark days of the Great Depression and as a way to honor The Salvation Army women who served doughnuts to doughboys during World War I.

On June 1, 2012, Krispy Kreme (www.KrispyKreme.com) gave a free doughnut to each customer visiting participating stores in the United States and Canada not only to mark National Doughnut Day but also to celebrate the pastry purveyor’s 75th business anniversary. The company’s 75th business anniversary website (http://locations/KrispyKreme.com/75th) encourages fans to “Post your Happy Birthday message on our virtual Birthday Card, interact with the Time Machine of Joy, send a Birthday eCard, and share your sweetest Krispy Kreme memories with us as we celebrate 75 years of melt-in-your-mouth joy!”

While Dunkin’ Donuts (www.DunkinDonuts.com) must wait until 2015 to reach its next milestone business anniversary — #65 –, the company celebrated 2012’s National Doughnut Day by offering a free doughnut with every beverage purchase. The Dunkin Donuts’ Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/DunkinDonuts) asked fans to post “Which donut will you pick to celebrate?”

Consider celebrating your business anniversary with a holiday, perhaps one already on the calendar (check out www.holidayinsights.com) such as:

  • A florist could celebrate its business anniversary with special offers on Red Rose Day (June 12)
  • An Italian restaurant could celebrate its business anniversary with special offers on National Lasagna Day (July 29)
  • A music shop could celebrate its business anniversary with special offers on National Electric Guitar Day (November 27)

You can also create and sponsor a holiday that connects to your business and is celebrated on the date of your business anniversary such as:

  • A chiropractic office could celebrate its business anniversary with special offers on “Oh My Aching Back Day”
  • A men’s clothing store could celebrate its business anniversary with special offers on “I Hate My Tie Day”
  • A hardware store could celebrate its business anniversary with special offers on “If I Had a Hammer Day”

Using a holiday to commemorate your business anniversary is fun and engaging for your customers and the ideal way to transform the occasion into a “sell”-abration. Hip hip hooray!

Blogger  Bio: Pauline Bartel, M.A., is President and Chief Creative Officer of
Bartel Communications, Inc., an award-winning corporate communications firm,
specializing in marketing, public relations and business anniversary consulting
services. The firm  created “The Bartel Years™” and “The Bartel Years 200™,” rosters of business  anniversary symbols to inspire two centuries of business anniversary
“sell”-abrations. Download free copies of “The Bartel Years™” and the special
report “The Top 10 Business Anniversary Ideas for SELL-abrating Your Business
Anniversary” at this link: http://www.paulinebartel.com/services/corporate-services/business-anniversary-consulting