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Hallmark Holiday: Difference between revisions
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{{trope}}
"'''Hallmark
▲"'''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 widely abused by marketers, turning them into such days.
In most cases, the card maker didn't invent the day outright - they just took something which was marginal, limited to a regional scope or intended for some other (non-commercial) purpose and misused it in a disproportionate manner as a marketing opportunity. Yes, there are many other culprits, ranging from florists to confectioners to rival greeting card makers, but the Hallmark company became the [[Trope Namer]] because of its relatively high profile.
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== [[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.
== [[Tabletop Games]] ==
* In the ''[[In Nomine]]'' adventure "A Very Nybbas Christmas" (available as a [http://www.sjgames.com/pyramid/sample.html?id=139 free download from Steve Jackson Games]), the infernal horde attempt to use the "Christmas in July" Hallmark Holiday to undermine Christmas as a sacred event ''and'' promote selfishness above selflessness (tipping the balance on Earth toward Hell) at the same time.
== [[Western Animation]] ==
* In ''[[The Simpsons (animation)|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]] ==
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