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They bury nuts in your flower pots. They perform death-defying leaps from your roof. They stare at you through the kitchen window while eating the birdseed you specifically bought for the cardinals.

Love them or hate them, you have to respect the hustle.

This Tuesday, January 21, is National Squirrel Appreciation Day.

Manny (our resident penguin) is a little jealous of their climbing skills, but he admits they are the most entertaining neighbors we have. Today is about calling a truce with the "birdseed bandits" and enjoying the show.

Why We Celebrate: A Furry History

National Squirrel Appreciation Day was founded in 2001 by Christy Hargrove, a wildlife rehabilitator in North Carolina. Her goal was simple: to encourage humans to be kind to our bushy-tailed neighbors, especially in mid-winter when food sources are scarce.

• Fun Fact 1: Squirrels are accidental environmentalists. They bury thousands of nuts every year and forget where they hid them. Those forgotten nuts grow into millions of trees!

• Fun Fact 2: A squirrel’s front teeth never stop growing. They have to gnaw on things (like your deck railing... sorry) to keep them filed down.

The Big Why: We celebrate because winter is boring, and watching a squirrel try to navigate an obstacle course is free entertainment.

3 Ways to Make Today Memorable

1. The Viral "Fine Dining" Experience (Funny)

If you are going to feed them, do it with style. The internet’s favorite squirrel trend is the "Picnic Table."

• The Move: Install a tiny wooden picnic table on your fence or tree.

• The Amazon Find: We love this Mini Squirrel Picnic Table with Corn Holder. It comes with an umbrella (essential) and a spike to hold a corn cob. Watching a squirrel sit at a table like a civilized human is the dopamine hit you need this January.

          Get the Squirrel Picnic Table on Amazon

2. The "Masked Bandit" Prank (For the Laughs)

If you have a sense of humor (and a camera ready), this is the ultimate backyard prank.

• The Move: The "Horse Head" Feeder.

• The How: You hang a hollow vinyl horse head filled with peanut butter or nuts. When the squirrel reaches up to eat, it looks like they have a giant horse head.

• The Gear: The Accoutrements Horse Head Squirrel Feeder on Amazon is the original and the funniest. It makes for incredible Instagram content.

           Shop the Horse Head Feeder on Amazon

3. The Quiet "Story Time" (For the Kids)

If you prefer your squirrels inside (and fictional), cozy up with a book.

• The Move: Read about the secret lives they lead when we aren't looking.

• The Book: The Secret Life of Squirrels" by Nancy Rose. The author captures real squirrels in her backyard interacting with tiny, handmade props (playing chess, doing laundry). It is impossibly cute and requires zero cleanup

            Buy "The Secret Life of Squirrels" on Amazon 

The Perfect Gift for the Nature Lover

If you have someone in your life who spends their mornings drinking coffee and watching the backyard, give them the gift of "No More Stolen Birdseed."

Our Editors' Pick:

The Yankee Flipper Squirrel-Proof Bird Feeder

Why we love it: It’s not just a feeder; it’s an obstacle course. It has a weight-activated spinning perch. Birds can eat happily, but if a squirrel jumps on it, the perch spins and gently tosses them off (safely into the grass). It provides hours of entertainment for dad and frustration for the squirrel.

Perfect for: The person who yells, "Get away from the feeder!" every morning.

Get the Yankee Flipper on Amazon 

Join the Conversation

How do you feel about squirrels? Are they "Backyard Friends" or "Garden Enemies"?

Share a photo of your local squirrels (especially if they are sitting at a picnic table) on Instagram and TikTok and tag us @OnManyOccasions.

Don't Miss the Next Celebration

January is flying by! Do you know when National Pie Day is? (It’s coming up in just a few days!).

Download our Free 2026 Celebration Calendar and never miss a delicious excuse to party.