A Song for the Season
Where does Santa go swimming?
The North Pool.
Bad joke? Totally. Timely? Sure. Happy Christmas in July.
At this very moment, folks in the retail game have visions of sugarplums dancing in their heads. Most of those are kicking off plans for the December holidays.
With apologies to its original creator, I offer a very loose and admittedly ridiculous rendition of “The Twelve Days of Christmas” reimagined as an inspirational holiday countdown (Eastern Standard Time) for the retail marketer in July.
On the 152nd day ‘til Christmas
my shopper asked of me:
152 special coupons,
151 VIP shows,
150 Facetime backdrops,
149 selfie stations,
148 tailored BOGOs,
147 online contests,
146 elfin sales folk,
145 sparkling Moments,
144 pounds of tinsel,
143 joyful blizzards,
142 playful pop-ops,
141 tasty tastings,
140 celeb demos,
139 crafts with new friends,
138 mobile phone apps,
137 social check-ins,
136 3-D sign posts,
135 timely emails,
134 smart reminders,
133 VIP points,
132 deals for besties,
131 well-timed shout outs,
130 deals on smartphones,
129 free deliveries,
128 “my-choice” markdowns,
127 order pick-ups,
126 browsing breakthroughs,
125 “thanks for shoppings,”
124 streaming walk-throughs,
123 well-used wish lists,
122 fashion previews,
121 impromptu carols,
120 VR aisles,
119 tasty tidbits,
118 hands-on projects,
117 cups of cocoa,
116 Snapchat stories,
115 prompts on Pinterest,
114 mindful memories,
113 Tweets to purchase,
112 “May I help yous,”
111 welcome coffees,
110 family dinners,
109 spots for lounging,
108 talking end caps,
107 stunning windows,
106 sidewalk samples,
105 bright surprises,
104 unique products,
103 matchless prices,
102 peerless pop-ups,
101 utmost wishes,
100 impressioned pleas,
99 designer actions,
98 fitting endings,
97 handmade presents,
96 shiny flashes,
95 fizzy wishes,
94 glowing reviews,
93 brilliant bargains,
92 custom gift cards,
91 gleaming minutes,
90 radiant partners,
89 cheerful workshops,
88 lively sing-alongs,
87 clever tie-ins,
86 cool collections,
85 poignant visits,
84 nifty promos,
83 shrewd connections,
82 keen endeavors,
81 skillful dealings,
80 witty postings,
79 gifted associates,
78 heartfelt encounters,
77 fervent musings,
76 touching presents,
75 private showings,
74 cozy cohosts,
73 huge reunions,
72 treasured trade-ins,
71 amazing log-ins,
70 deep engagements,
69 real-time friendships,
68 shelves for selfies,
67 secret previews,
66 warm and fuzzies,
65 delightful details,
64 real surprises,
63 tastes of showbiz,
62 stars at arm’s reach,
61 flights of fancy,
60 welcome respites,
59 recharge stations,
58 peppy partners,
57 abled floor-staff,
56 spirited influencers,
55 robust contacts,
54 newfound buddies,
53 social allies,
52 Santa’s helpers,
51 fests for families,
50 live confections,
49 baking breakthroughs,
48 filtered bashes,
47 store celebrations,
46 Facebook factions,
45 backstage passes,
44 major archetypes,
43 crowdsourced moments,
42 techno-marvels,
41 brave constructions,
40 timeless friendships,
39 online live chats,
38 branded offers,
37 bonding gambits,
36 hand-hewn trinkets,
35 charming checkouts,
34 kind invitations,
33 artist’s renderings,
32 new-school classics,
31 old-school favorites,
30 calls to action,
29 jolts of wonder,
28 shocking storefronts,
27 lovely bombshells,
26 family how-tos,
25 secret passwords,
24 social statements,
23 public screen tests,
22 star-filled catwalks,
21 expert forums,
20 tinseled love notes,
19 web-based carolers,
18 digital mementos,
17 re-lived childhoods,
16 candy kiosks,
15 youth reminders,
14 fancy receipts,
13 Gram galleries,
12 welcomed rest spots,
11 crafted postcards,
10 mini-workshops,
9 virtual dance floors,
8 lines for listening,
7 curated stockings,
6 enchanted food carts,
5 golden tickets,
4 selfie sticks,
3 light shows,
2 bubbly toasts,
And a pop-up in the town square.
