We are all about making every celebration a little sweeter, and we can’t think of a better day to do that than Sweetest Day! Now, many of you might be thinking…what is Sweetest Day? The short answer is it’s a day to spread kindness and give back to those less fortunate, as well as show love and appreciation to family and friends.
However, there’s much more you should know about Sweetest Day, and we’ll go into all the details below. Keep reading to learn a little bit of the holiday’s history, who celebrates, why it’s celebrated, and why YOU should celebrate, too!
In this article:
- What is Sweetest Day?
- The Origin of Sweetest Day
- Where is Sweetest Day Celebrated?
- How Can YOU Celebrate Sweetest Day?
- Celebrating Sweetest Day with Decadent Sweet Treats
- Frequently Asked Questions
What is Sweetest Day?
Sweetest Day is a holiday that is celebrated on the third Saturday in October, primarily in the Midwest and Northeastern regions of the United States. This holiday emphasizes giving back to those less fortunate. It’s also a day to show love and appreciation to your significant other, friends, and family by giving them sweet gifts and gestures.
The Origin of Sweetest Day
Accounts of the specific origin of Sweetest Day vary. It was originally known as “Sweetest Day in the Year.” Most accounts agree that Sweetest Day began in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1921 or 1922, and the intent was the same: doing something kind for or giving gits to those less fortunate.
The accounts also agree that Sweetest Day began with the founder distributing gifts and boxes of candy to less fortunate people in the community.
Where the origin stories differ is in who came up with the idea for Sweetest Day. It was originally created by the National Confectioners’ Association in 1916 as “Candy Day,” but it wasn’t widely embraced. It re-emerged around 1921 or 1922 with an emphasis on charity and giving.
Some accounts credit candy-maker and philanthropist C.C. Hartzell as the founder of the holiday. According to these accounts, Hartzell created Sweetest Day in 1921, with the aim of creating a day for people to give something or do something kind for those who weren’t as fortunate.
https://twitter.com/clevelanddotcom/status/1449352202422833152
According to this origin story, Hartzell gathered the first “Sweetest Day in the Year” committee and distributed over 20,000 gifts and small boxes of candy to orphans, poor families, and the elderly.
Other accounts give a man named Herbert Birch Kingston, an employee at a candy company, credit for creating Sweetest Day. According to these accounts, Kingston created Sweetest Day in 1922, with the goal of bringing joy and spreading kindness to those less fortunate, such as orphans and elderly shut-ins. Kingston enlisted the help of friends to distribute candy and small gifts to underprivileged people in the Cleveland community.
Over the years, this holiday has evolved. Today, people celebrate Sweetest Day on the 3rd Saturday of October by giving gifts to their friends and loved ones while giving back to the community. Now that’s a sweet way to celebrate if you ask us!
Where is Sweetest Day Celebrated?
Although anyone can partake in Sweetest Day festivities, this holiday is most commonly celebrated in the Midwestern United States and in some parts of the Northeast. The states that typically celebrate Sweetest Day include:
- Texas
- Illinois
- Michigan
- Indiana
- Missouri
- Minnesota
- North Dakota
- South Dakota
- West Virginia
- Ohio
- Wisconsin
- Parts of New York and Pennsylvania
If you aren’t from one of these states or haven’t celebrated before, consider this your official invitation to join in on the fun by indulging in Sweetest Day treats and sharing them with others.
How Can YOU Celebrate Sweetest Day?
Sweetest Day is a day to show your love and appreciation to your significant other, friends, loved ones, and those less fortunate. There are a variety of ways to celebrate Sweetest Day, such as:
- Giving sweet treats. Show your loved ones how much you care by giving them their favorite sweets, such as chocolates, cookies, or homemade desserts.
- Donate your time. While giving gifts may not always be practical, give back on Sweetest Day by donating your time to a good cause.
- Plan a special date for your significant other. Take your significant other on a romantic date, whether it’s a dinner at a fancy restaurant, a picnic in the park, or a cozy night in with a movie and popcorn.
- Plan a special outing for your family. Get the kids involved on Sweetest Day by making plans for a special family outing. Visit a local attraction, take a family bike ride, or take a weekend getaway to somewhere fun and exciting. You might also consider volunteering as a family for a good cause.
- Write a love letter. Take the time to write a heartfelt letter expressing your love and appreciation to your partner, friends, or family members. It’s a simple yet meaningful gesture they’ll cherish forever.
- Spread joy with random acts of kindness. Surprise your loved ones with a small gesture, like breakfast in bed, a bouquet of flowers, or a homemade gift. Purchase the coffee or a meal for the car behind you in the drive-through. Share a home-cooked meal with a friend or neighbor. Spend a few hours picking up litter in a local park. There are many ways to spread a little kindness on Sweetest Day and every day.
Celebrating Sweetest Day with Decadent Sweet Treats
Now that you know what Sweetest Day is all about, you need the tasty treats to help you celebrate! Send someone your love with a delicious You’re The Sweetest arrangement, featuring a delightfully sweet arrangement of fresh fruit favorites and decadent chocolate dipped fruits. Or, enjoy a night in with friends and family and share a box of Full of Love Berries™!
To celebrate by giving back to the community, perform a random act of kindness by sending one of our patriotic treats to your local Veterans’ Affairs organization or bringing a cheerful Smiley Berry Gift Box to the Children’s Hospital in your area. Featuring chocolate dipped strawberries topped with white chocolate emoji sentiments plus semisweet chocolate and white chocolate dipped strawberries topped with bright yellow Swizzle®, it’s sure to brighten their day.
Whoever you choose to celebrate with, our Sweetest Day gifts are exactly what you need to make this Sweetest Day sweeter than ever!
So… are you ready to celebrate Sweetest Day in style? Give your local store a call to place your order! Happy Sweetest Day!
Sweetest Day FAQs
What is the meaning of Sweetest Day?
Sweetest Day is a holiday celebrated primarily in the Midwestern United States, along with parts of the Northeastern United States. It’s observed on the third Saturday of October. The day is meant to express kindness and appreciation to friends, family, and those less fortunate through small gifts and gestures.
What is the difference between Valentine’s Day and Sweetest Day?
While both Valentine’s Day and Sweetest Day celebrate love and affection, Valentine’s Day, observed on February 14th, is primarily focused on romantic love and is celebrated globally.
Sweetest Day, on the other hand, emphasizes showing appreciation not only to friends and family but also those less fortunate. It’s mostly recognized in certain parts of the United States.
Do people still celebrate Sweetest Day?
Yes, Sweetest Day is still celebrated, though its popularity varies significantly by region. It remains more popular in the Midwest and Northeastern U.S., where it has been celebrated since the early 20th century.
Did Hallmark create Sweetest Day?
No, Hallmark did not create Sweetest Day. The holiday originated in 1921 or 1922 in Cleveland, Ohio. While specific accounts of the origin of Sweetest Day vary, most agree that it was created by a candy company employee or executive.
The holiday was initially conceived as a way to bring happiness to those often forgotten. Hallmark and other greeting card companies later embraced the holiday, promoting it through their products.
