Long, cold, dreary winter days can seem to drag on forever. Turn your campus store into a welcome escape from the winter gloom by hosting one (or more) of these Winter Blues Buster events designed to boost foot traffic, lift spirits, and highlight seasonal merchandise. 
5 Winter Blues Buster Events
1. Cozy Hygge + Hot Drink Happy Hour
Help students lean into a cozy, comforting vibe with a Hygge inspired event. Hygge is a Danish concept that emphasizes warmth, comfort, and well being, finding joy in simple, everyday moments.
Create displays featuring items that help students turn their dorm rooms into peaceful winter retreats, such as:
- Blankets and throws
- Fairy lights
- Hoodies and loungewear
- Mugs and plushies
You can also spotlight quiet, relaxing activities like winter themed books (feel good fiction, self-care, escapism), journals, or puzzles. Style these products together to inspire students and encourage add on purchases.
If your store includes a café, consider hosting a Hot Drinks Happy Hour with discounted hot chocolate, cider, or tea to help drive traffic and enhance the cozy experience.
2. Blind Date With a Book
Invite your staff to select a few favorite novels and wrap them in paper, concealing the covers. Attach a “literary personal ad” to each book describing the main character, tone, or genre — without revealing the title.
Set up a dedicated display and promote the event on social media. To boost engagement, consider hosting a small contest: award a prize to the student who correctly identifies the most book titles based on the descriptions.
Examples of literary personals:
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“Lonely and rich seeks to recreate the past: I throw a great party, old sport, though you may never see me at one. In a time and place where true love doesn’t conquer all, I am steadfast in my adoration — even if it’s from afar. My favorite flower is a daisy, and my favorite color is green.” The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald; classic fiction. |
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“Ambivalent businessman seeks ways to feel. The droning monotony of my life leaves me nameless, faceless, trudging through the world unable to sleep until a stranger comes into my life. Now adventure, blood and the feel of another man’s face giving way to my fist fills me.” Fight Club by Chuck Palahniuk; fiction. |
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“Brooding outsider seeks kindred spirit: I am intense, relentless, and deeply devoted — often to my own undoing. Cruelty is a mask I often wear woven with profound loss and embers of what might have been. If you’re drawn to wild landscapes, untamed passions, and a love that does not fade even beyond reason and death, I will invite you in.” Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë; Classic Gothic Fiction. |
3. Game Night or Puzzle Party
Winter is the perfect time for indoor fun. If your store carries games or puzzles, bring them front and center with a Game Night or Puzzle Party display.
To increase participation:
- Offer a flash sale on featured games or puzzles
- Host an in‑store game with a small prize
- Create a “Game Night Starter Pack” prize with a game and snacks
This event encourages social interaction while showcasing products students can enjoy all season long.
4. Winter Magic
You don’t need a big sale to create buzz. A simple, seasonal event can still drive foot traffic and social engagement.
Create a winter themed photo backdrop in your store and include fun, on theme props—some of which can double as merchandise, like scarves or sunglasses. Promote a social media contest where students post a photo in front of the backdrop using a designated hashtag to enter for a prize.
This approach helps:
- Increase store visibility
- Grow your social media following
- Promote winter merchandise organically
5. Winter Essentials Flash Sales
As winter winds down, clear out seasonal inventory with weekly flash sales on winter essentials. These short‑term promotions create urgency while making room for spring and summer merchandise.
What is your store’s favorite winter event to host? Let us know in the comments.
