Sweetest Day

AlphaGam1019 · #1 10-14-2003, 04:12 PM

Have you guys ever heard of Sweetest Day? This year, it's going to be on October 18.

It must be a holiday that is celebrated more in other states. I went to a card store this morning and couldn't find one Sweetest day card. The lady at the counter said she never heard of the holiday before :P

Here's a blurb about Sweetest Day:

Quote:

Observed the 3rd Saturday in the month of October, Sweetest Day observance originated in Cleveland in 1922. Herbert Birch Kingston, a philanthropist and candy company employee wanted to bring happiness into the lives of orphans, shut-ins and others who were forgotten. With the help of friends, he began to distribute candy and small gifts to the underprivileged.

On the first Sweetest Day, movie star Ann Pennington presented 2,200 Cleveland newspaper boys with boxes of candy to express gratitude for their service to the public.
Another popular movie star, Theda Bara, distributed 10,000 boxes of candy to people in Cleveland hospitals and also gave candy to all who came to watch her film in a local theater.

Primarily a regional observance celebrated in the Great Lakes region and the Northeast, Sweetest Day is gradually spreading to other areas of the country. People tend to take the Sweetest Day tradition with them when they move. Ohio is the top state for Sweetest Day sales, followed by Michigan and Illinois. Texas, California and Florida are among the top 10 states in sales.

xo_kathy · #2 10-14-2003, 04:17 PM

We celebrated Sweetest Day all the time back home in Michigan. Although, generally its about the girls saying "Honey, you know Sweetest day is coming up, right?" hoping to get a card. I think I got a card and some flowers from my boyfriend the first Sweetest day we were together, and then never again!

I usually bought my boyfriend at the time a card and cooked him dinner or something like that.

sigmagrrl · #3 10-14-2003, 04:18 PM

Aww! I love the idea behind it *weep**sniff*

But, who the heck is it in honor of now??? Is it a half-ass Valentine's Day?

AlphaGam1019 · #4 10-14-2003, 04:20 PM

here's another blurb from another site:

Quote:

Sweetest Day is celebrated on the third Saturday in October as a day to make someone happy. It is an occasion which offers all of us an opportunity to remember not only the sick, aged, and orphaned, but also friends, relatives and associates whose helpfulness and kindness we have enjoyed.

Sweetest Day is not based on any single group's religious sentiment or on a family relationship. It is a reminder that a thoughtful word or deed enriches life and gives it meaning.

Because for many people remembering takes the form of gift-giving, Sweetest Day offers us the opportunity to show others that we care, in a tangible way.

mu_agd · #5 10-14-2003, 04:20 PM

i'd never heard of it until i went to school in ohio. i just figured it was a holiday created by hallmark to boost revenues!

AlphaGam1019 · #6 10-14-2003, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mu_agd
i'd never heard of it until i went to school in ohio. i just figured it was a holiday created by hallmark to boost revenues!

pretty close- it was founded by a candy company employee

heheheh

Nikki_DZ · #7 10-14-2003, 04:26 PM

I conducted an informal poll on a DZ message board a few years ago about Sweetest Day. We came to the conclusion that it's basically an Ohio/Indiana/Michigan holiday. I didn't realize other people DIDN'T know about it-all the flower and candy shops around here are running specials this week. Hubby and I don't celebrate it (we barely do V-Day) but I know friends who get PISSED if their SO forgets it.

bethany1982 · #8 10-14-2003, 09:51 PM

I had never heard of this until a friend from OH sent me a card a few years ago. I don't know anyone here in CA who celebrates the day, but its original purpose seems like a nice idea. I was surprised to see CA listed in the top 10 for Sweetest Day related sales. I don’t recall ever seeing a special display in any store related to the day.

AOX81 · #9 10-15-2003, 06:57 AM

F*cking Hallmark holidays...

Rio_Kohitsuji · #10 10-15-2003, 09:51 AM

Yep..it's basically a Mid-West holiday

My boyfriend and I celebrated it 2 years ago (it fell on our anny) but since we're both poor now I don't think we will

GeekyPenguin · #11 10-15-2003, 10:57 AM

We definitely have Sweetest Day up here too...usually made fun of by all the single girls and all the girls who have boys want presents.

AXJules · #12 10-15-2003, 05:50 PM

My family celebrates Sweetest Day, but not Valentines.

From my mom's perspective (she's from Cleveland) it's a holiday to mention all the ppl in your life you love, vs. Valentine's which is more romance and cupids and all that crap.