May Newsletter Ideas [+ Free HTML Templates]

We have some great news: May is approaching. Not just because it’s one of the best months of the year, with its first truly warm days and long-awaited sense of lightness in the air, but also because May is, without a doubt, one of the richest months when it comes to holidays.

Official and non-official. International and niche. Monthly themes and weekly spotlights. May is packed with holiday markers. And for companies, it means more than just a packed calendar. It’s a unique chance to connect with your audience not just through offers and campaigns, but on a deeper, more emotional level. With the right May newsletter, you can tune into this celebratory and reflective mood. You can offer value, yes, but you can also show care. You can support your readers with helpful tips, thoughtful messages, or meaningful May content ideas that feel helpful and personal.

In this article, we’ll walk through a variety of May newsletter ideas—from specific holidays to broader themes and from real examples to creative inspiration. And with a bit of effort and timing, your May marketing might become your most impactful one yet.

May Content Ideas for Newsletters

Holiday calendar

May is a month that’s incredibly rich in holidays, both official and unofficial. That makes it one of the most resourceful months for creating engaging newsletter content. From Labor Day to Star Wars Day (May the 4th), from Nurses Day to Mother’s Day—there are meaningful, playful, or niche holidays around which you can build your email content.

What’s important is to treat each holiday as an anchor—a storytelling cue that gives your business context. For example, if you’re in tech or cybersecurity, World Password Day (the first Thursday of May) is a perfect opportunity to remind your audience about yourself. Even something as simple as Bike to Work Day or International Day of Families can be adapted creatively, depending on your brand.

Monthly spotlights 

While having lots of official holidays in May is already great news, there’s even more to be excited about. May also comes with a handful of monthly spotlights—not official holidays, but still powerful themes that can shape your newsletter and give your audience something meaningful to connect with.

These observances are often missed, but they give businesses an additional way to participate in broader conversations. For example, during Mental Health Awareness Month, you can use your May newsletter to talk about the importance of slowing down or checking in with yourself. Use Teacher Appreciation Week to talk about guidance, mentorship, and learning. Whether it’s your team, your audience, or the people who’ve taught you something—it’s a chance to highlight gratitude and growth.

Business/cultural updates

When it comes to updates—be they personal, business, or cultural—May is the perfect month for that. It’s the time of transition from spring to summer, and that shift often brings change in many forms. So, it’s also a great opportunity to reflect that energy in your May newsletter and to show that transition to your subscribers.

Bring your audience behind the scenes for your May topics. You can share milestones, introduce team members, and talk about what’s changing or inspiring you right now. Maybe it’s a product launch. Maybe you’re hiring new people. Or maybe you want to share a story from your team—like how you volunteered together or planted 100 trees to make your environment more sustainable.

The point is, everything that’s going on inside your company is worth sharing. These kinds of May content ideas help show the human face of your business, which is always a good thing when it comes to connection.

Seasonal recommendations

The shift from spring to early summer is a pleasant transition—but it’s a transition, nonetheless. And during these moments of seasonal change, all kinds of small recommendations can go a long way in supporting your subscribers. Skincare tips, wardrobe advice, gardening checklists, seasonal menu ideas—whatever fits your niche best can be turned into thoughtful May newsletter content.

You can even treat this type of newsletter as a form of gentle care or stress management advice. The easier it is for people to take care of themselves—whether it’s their looks, mental well-being, daily routines, or hobbies—the more thankful they’ll be. And in return, the more effective your emails become.

So, don’t underestimate the power of soft, seasonal May content ideas. The only thing they need to be is relevant and helpful. 

Things to do this May

This section is perfect for making little lists—or even big ones. It’s your chance to explore and reflect on what’s happening, both in your industry and in the world altogether. There’s always something new in May—new energy, new launches, seasonal changes, and local events—so why not frame all that as a mini to-do guide?

Create something like “Five Things to Try This May”—it can be five new clothing outfits, five innovative skincare products, five newly opened restaurants in New York, or five podcasts to freshen your mindset. Just decide on one (or a few) that fits your brand and audience.  

These kinds of lists make great May newsletter ideas because they give your readers something to explore. They can also open up new routines, new inspiration, and sometimes even new purchases.

May Newsletter Templates

This May newsletter template is pretty straightforward. It utilizes the theme of parenthood, children, and May—all in one—in a very obvious way that only adds to its appeal.

The design follows a classic aesthetic with soft, hand-drawn illustrations and a tender color palette that feels perfect for the season. It fits naturally within the context of May topics and themes, especially when you are looking for family-oriented May newsletter ideas.

The invitation includes a clear date, time, and location, along with a quick summary of what attendees can expect. It also adds a thoughtful touch by showcasing memories from past events, which look genuinely attractive for moms and their children. Altogether, this May newsletter template doesn’t try to overdo it—and that’s exactly why it works.

So, if you are looking for May marketing ideas that feel sincere and emotionally resonant at the same time, you should keep this one on your radar. 

This Mother’s Day email template takes a very different stance on the celebration. It’s not about parenthood—it’s about celebrating yourself and your feminine beauty. By inviting all mothers to treat themselves to a salon day, this email taps into the spirit of self-care and happiness. It feels like a breath of fresh air, where moms are offered time off from their daily duties to step into the world of beauty and relaxation.

This email template captures that feeling. It showcases everything appealing about a salon visit: the atmosphere, the transformations of real clients, the friendly faces of stylists, and even details about hair care products. It also offers a 20% discount on all services, which makes it a strong fit for those planning May promotion ideas or looking to include exclusive deals in their May newsletter.

If you’re looking for email templates that help you present ideas, offers, updates, news—or any kind of message email marketing might involve—take a look at the collection of email templates from Sendigram. Here, you’ll find templates for any occasion, in a variety of styles and designs, all easily customizable to fit your brand.

With such a diverse and easily adjustable collection of email templates, you don’t have to reinvent the wheel every time you want to send a newsletter or promote something new. Just take what already works—and looks great—and make it your own.

May Newsletter Subject Lines

Let’s look at some May newsletter subject lines that capture the spirit of the month and your newsletter ideas in one sentence. Here, we collected some inspiring examples from across industries that feel engaging and usable at the same time:

1. “5 Things to Try Before May Ends (You’ll Thank Yourself Later)”

Fits for: A lifestyle brand or personal development coach sharing a seasonal to-do list or inspiration guide.

2. “May Is for Mood Shifts: Here’s How to Dress for That”

Fits for: A fashion newsletter from brands, highlighting wardrobe transitions.

4. “What’s Blooming in Tech This Month”

Fits for: A SaaS or startup product update disguised as a warm seasonal digest.

5. “Your May Reset Starts Now: Simple Rituals for a Lighter Mind”

Fits for: A wellness or mental health app offering mindset tips or breathing exercises.

6. “New In: 3 Spring Wines to Sip While the Light Stays Longer”

Fits for: A boutique wine shop or food delivery company curating a seasonal product feature.

7. “Here’s What Happened at Our Team Retreat (+ What We’re Planning Next)”

Fits for: A transparent, behind-the-scenes company culture newsletter from a small business.

8. “Your May Reading List Is Here (Spoiler: It’s Fiction-Heavy)”

Fits for: A bookstore, subscription box, or publisher sharing curated seasonal picks.

9. “The May Menu: Fresh Picks from Our Kitchen to Yours”

Fits for: A restaurant, food delivery service, or lifestyle blog featuring new seasonal recipes.

10. “These 3 Skincare Myths Don’t Survive May Heat—Here’s Why”

Fits for: A skincare or beauty brand offering tips that match seasonal needs.

To Sum Up

May gives almost every business the chance to use at least one holiday to their advantage and build a connection with subscribers. And that’s what makes this month feel so full of potential. There’s a celebration and a cause for just about everyone—which means there’s always something real to talk about.

The right May subject lines can catch attention before an email is even opened. But what really matters is how you use these moments to show your audience that you’re there, paying attention. So, with all the May promotion ideas that we shared in this article, you can now take the holidays this month gives you and use them as a foundation for inspiring spring newsletters.