Hallmark Holiday

"Hallmark holiday" is a term used predominantly in the United States to describe a holiday that is perceived to exist primarily for commercial purposes, rather than to commemorate a traditionally or historically significant event. The name comes from Hallmark Cards, a privately owned American company, that benefits from such manufactured events through sales of greeting cards and other items. Holidays that have been referred to as "Hallmark holidays" include Grandparents Day, Sweetest Day, Boss's Day, and Administrative Professionals' Day / Secretary's Day. Some people also consider St. Valentine's Day, Mother's Day and Father's Day to be such days.

Advertising

 * The Hallmark corporation maintains that it "can't take credit for creating holidays."

Anime and Manga

 * In Lucky Star, Kagami goes out of her way to specifically not complain that Valentine's Day was created by the chocolate and card companies.

Western Animation

 * In The Simpsons Season 9 episode "Trash of the Titans", Costington's Department store creates a new August holiday called "Love Day." As Lisa puts it, this is intended to boost sales.  Costington's sales chart (as shown in the episode) depict a dip from July to September.

Real Life

 * White Day, in Japan, China, and some other east-Asian countries. According to The Other Wiki, it "was started by the National Confectionery Industry Association as an "answer day" to Valentine's Day" in 1978.