Invite an Alien to Live with You Day
Invite an Alien to Live with You Day brings a playful twist to the idea of hospitality. Instead of a friend or neighbor, imagine a curious visitor from another galaxy settling into your spare room.
Leverage nostalgia for Mork & Mindy and the theme of welcoming outsiders to drive feel-good brand storytelling around inclusivity and hospitality.
- Share your 'alien arrival' story: What would surprise an outsider most about your brand or community?
- Recreate iconic Mork & Mindy moments with your product or service in a humorous, shareable video
- Host a 'welcome dinner' event celebrating diversity and cross-cultural connection tied to your brand values
- User-generated content challenge: Show how you'd welcome a stranger—tie it to your hospitality or community mission
Invite an Alien to Live with You Day began as a lighthearted tribute to the beloved TV show Mork & Mindy, which ran from 1978 to 1982.
The show featured Mork, a curious alien from the planet Ork, who moves in with a young woman named Mindy. Their odd friendship charmed viewers and sparked laughs as Mork tried to make sense of life on Earth. Over time, fans began to honor this theme of acceptance and discovery by creating a special day around it.
The date was chosen to match Robin Williams’s birthday. He played Mork with such wild energy and warmth that the role became one of his most remembered performances. No one person or group officially launched the holiday, but it first appeared on novelty holiday calendars in the early 2000s.
People shared it across blogs, pop culture sites, and fun observance lists. It caught on thanks to its mix of humor and heart.
While the day began as a silly idea, it now carries a gentle message: welcome those who seem different.
Whether you think of a visitor from another galaxy or just someone new to your neighborhood, the spirit is the same: curiosity, kindness, and the joy of learning from others.
Share a Meal with Someone New
Invite a person you don’t know well to lunch or dinner. Maybe it’s a neighbor, a coworker, or someone often left out. Treat them the way you’d treat a guest from another planet—with care, interest, and zero judgment. Small kindnesses often build the strongest bridges.
Ask Questions, Really Listen
Spend time with someone different from you. Ask them about their culture, beliefs, or daily life. Avoid jumping in with your own stories right away. Just listen. This kind of honest attention is rare, and it’s exactly what a stranger would need if they landed here.
Write a Short Letter to Your “Alien”
Write a letter to an imaginary visitor. Tell them about Earth, your city, or what makes humans strange but lovable. This little exercise helps us step outside ourselves and see life with new eyes. You might even learn something about your own habits.
Offer Help Without Expecting Thanks
Do one thing today to help someone unfamiliar without needing recognition. Hold open a door. Carry groceries. Offer directions. These tiny actions might seem small, but they make the world feel friendlier, exactly the kind of welcome any outsider would hope for.
Teach Something Simple
Take a few minutes to explain something you know well to someone curious. Maybe it’s how to cook rice, fix a squeaky door, or fold laundry. Explaining things gently—without rushing—makes others feel safe. That’s the heart of real hospitality.