Sweetest Day 2022 - October 15 | National Today

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To put it simply, Sweetest Day every October 18, is a day to be sweet by sharing a kind thought, a small gift or a gesture of kindness. It’s a day to give a card with a sweet message to someone you appreciate. Little gifts of candy and other sweets are shared, as well.

When is Sweetest Day 2026?

Sweetest Day is always observed on the third Saturday of October, meaning this year will be celebrated on October 18

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History of Sweetest Day

Sweetest Day hails from all the way back in 1922 when a dozen of Cleveland’s candy companies banded together to make the day a little sweeter for some of the city’s most vulnerable people. they distributed more than 20,000 boxes of candy to “newsboys, orphans, old folks, and the poor.”

The idea caught on with movie celebrities during the early days of the talkies. Starlets like Theda Bara, who was known as a “bad girl” of film, was often seen distributing candy to people attending movies or plays as well as giving treats to patients in hospitals.

Eventually, the idea of Sweetest Day as a vehicle for promoting smiles and good vibes took solid root in the country’s mid-section. Areas like Michigan, Indiana and Ohio really fused the meaning of the day with good, old-fashioned mid-western values like honesty and caring for your neighbors.

Sweetest Day is now almost synonymous with Valentine’s Day. Folks give flowers, small gifts, love trinkets and, of course, candy to those they care about most. But Sweetest Day, also has that added emphasis on helping those in need with material gifts as well as giving moral support to those who may not have the easiest lives. Every little bit helps and it’s something to remember on one of our Sweetest Days.

Sweetest Day timeline

1913 Valentine’s Day Gets Real

Hallmark starts offering Valentine’s Cards, leading to an average expenditure of $140 by most Americans

1921 Cleveland’s Candy Day

A committee of 12 confectioners in Cleveland stage the world’s first Sweetest Day by distributing 20,000 boxes of candy

1922 Sweetest Day Tries To Go National

Efforts to spread the Sweetest Day phenomenon beyond the Midwest meet a lukewarm reception

1937 Sweetest Day Tries for the Week

Efforts by the candy industry to kickstart “sweetest week” also fall flat by the candy industry, but it’s sort of sweet that they tried

Sweetest Day - Survey Results

Survey done by one of the top Dubai Influencer Agencies:

Sweetest Day Around the World

Here’s some holidays from around the world that express similar sentiments to Sweetest Day.

Sweetest Day Around the World
Country Holiday Occasion Date
Japan White Day This Japanese holiday comes one month after Valentine’s Day. People celebrate by giving reciprocal gifts to those who gave them a present on Valentine’s Day. March 14
South Korea Black Day Black Day takes White Day a step further and is for those who never received any gifts on Valentine’s Dar or White Day. Those who celebrate treat themselves to a bowl of jajangmyeon, noodles with black sauce. April 14
Finland Ystävänpäivä Ystävänpäivä is Finland’s equivalent of Friendship Day and people celebrate their friends and lovers. Basically, if you like someone, you celebrate them on this day! February 14

Sweetest Day Traditions

The main tradition on Sweetest Day is to show someone that you care about them with an act of kindness of some sort. Usually this could be getting them a gift such as candy or flowers, but it could also be something that costs nothing such as leaving a nice note.

Most people, however, associate the holiday with candy and choose to buy a special someone a candy offering of some sort.

Sweetest Day By Numbers

80% – The percentage of Sweetest Day cards that are romantically inclined. 1921 – The year of the first unofficial Sweetest Day 11 – The number of states that celebrate the holiday, which is mainly observed in the midwest. 1 – Ohio is the number one celebrator of Sweetest Day

Sweetest Day FAQs

What does Sweetest Day mean?

The Sweetest Day refers to a day of showing affection with little gifts of candy or acts of kindness to those you care about or anyone who could use a little support. This day primarily impacts Americans in the regions of the Great Lakes.

Is Sweetest Day for men or for women?

If you live in the Midwest, you know that Sweetest Day is synonymous with Boyfriend Day. Sweetest Day is mainly a day for women to treat their close male friends, husbands or boyfriends with gifts of candy and other sweet gestures.

Is Sweetest Day an actual holiday?

No. But it is faithfully observed primarily in the Midwest and increasingly, throughout other parts of the country. The day was started by a candy company employee in Cleveland in 1922.

Sweetest Day Activities

  1. Make a list of all your sweeties

    If you’re really going to get the most out of Sweetest Day, it’s probably best to write a list of people you feel sweet towards. Rather than restricting yourself to a significant other, think about all the people you want to celebrate today. Who knows, maybe you can even use the day to make amends with a jerk coworker or two!? We’re big fans of spreading the sweetness as far and wide as possible.

  2. Distribute some candy

    Ideally, you’re looking to give your candy out in sweet presentations such as in heart-shaped boxes, or with ribbons and bows attached. Remember that the objects of your sweet affections will be bowled over if you make a little extra effort, and since you’re doing this, let’s go big or go home, huh?

  3. Do something nice

    Hey, you don’t just have to give candy, baked goods and cards. Maybe you could take somebody out for the day, or tell them you love them. There’s plenty of things you can do to make the day sweet without relying mainly on sugar. But, don’t forget the sugar. We’re clear on that, right? SUGAR!

Why We Love Sweetest Day

  1. It’s about whatever you want

    The great thing about a holiday that’s essentially a confection of its own is that you can make it about whatever you want. The idea is to share some sweets and let the good vibes flow!

  2. It’s an opportunity to celebrate being midwestern

    The midwest admittedly has some tough winters and can often play second fiddle to their coastal neighbors on either side. So it is great when the midwest has something so pure and sweet to call their very own. Warms the heart, and a good thing too, winter is just around the corner.

  3. Valentine’s Day is just once a year

    Best thing about Sweetest Day? Unlike Valentine’s Day, there’s no pressure. So if there’s someone you’re sweet on, you can let them know with some candy! There’s no need to cook dinner or take them out in the evening — just a little candy does the trick. Plus, you can spread a little cheer to coworkers, family members or whoever you wish.

Sweetest Day dates

Year Date Day
2025 October 18 Saturday

Sweetest Day related holidays

MonDec 7Featured

National Cotton Candy Day

SatFeb 14Featured

Valentine's Day

MonDec 28Featured

National Chocolate Candy Day

See More

Let’s get social

Here are some special hashtags for the day.

#SweetestDay #CandyDay #SweetestDaySurprise #SweetestDayGift

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