STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

shopchicago33 wrote:

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I feel like a horrible girlfriend, but when the heck is it this year?  I can't find it on any calendar I own!  Help!

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don't feel horrible.  i didn't even know it existed until last year when i moved to chicago and we were grocery shopping at jewel!!  i was like, "what is all this sweetest day stuff?"  i think it might be celebrated more in chicago (i never noticed it when i lived in philly). 

it's the third saturday of october.  october 15, this year.  it's funny because it just so happens that i met my bf the third friday of october in 2001.  so i guess it's kind of our "anniversary" since we don't really have a set date we started dating. 

THIS IS WHAT I FOUND:

TRENDS
• Because of rapidly increasing interest in Sweetest Day, Hallmark’s collection of Sweetest Day cards has grown from 48 cards in 2000 to 142 cards in 2005.

• As people become more mobile and jobs take them to different regions, the once-regional celebration of Sweetest Day is spreading throughout the country.

• Appreciation for the simple things in life and the little surprises that a day can bring may be one of the trends that fuels the fun of Sweetest Day.

• In addition to remembering those sometimes forgotten, and showing appreciation for family and friends, Sweetest Day has also become very much a romantic day in most locations.

WHEN
Sweetest Day is always celebrated on the third Saturday in October. In 2005 Sweetest Day is Saturday, Oct. 15.

PURPOSE
Sweetest Day, which began as a day to do good deeds for the underprivileged and forgotten, is now an occasion to remember loved ones and friends who enrich our lives with their love and thoughtfulness.

Love and friendship are popular themes on Sweetest Day cards, often with expressions of appreciation.

CELEBRATION
Observance of Sweetest Day is prevalent in the Great Lakes region – where the holiday originated – which includes such states as Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, and Wisconsin.

As people have moved from these areas to other parts of the country, the custom of celebrating Sweetest Day has expanded across the nation, from Maine to Florida to California – and observance of the day is growing.

Greeting cards, tokens of affection and appreciation, gifts, and spending time together are ways that people celebrate Sweetest Day.

Cards exchanged for this holiday tend to recognize close, personal relationships.

NEW FROM HALLMARK
In response to consumer demand, Hallmark offers 142 card designs for Sweetest Day 2005.

Eighty percent of the Sweetest Day cards have a “love” or “romance” theme.

Reflecting consumer preferences, Hallmark’s Sweetest Day card collection now includes more “family relationship” cards, as well as two new Shoebox designs.

Hallmark Flowers and gift selections may be purchased online at Hallmark.com. All floral bouquets in the Hallmark Flowers Sweetest Day collection with delivery scheduled between October 4-15 will include a free Hallmark Chocolatier Chocolate Sampler

 

so my question...is anyone celebrating and if so, what are you doing for it?

I had no idea this was a regional holiday!  That is weird. 

Growing up, my dad always gave me cards and/or flowers for Sweetest's Day.  My BF and I kinda use it as an excuse to go out and have a nice dinner, but we don't really do anything special. 

Maddie wrote:

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So basically Hallmark made up a holiday?

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hahaha.  that's what i thought, but that's the site that i found all the info on.  here's the history. 

Origins and Facts About Sweetest Day

 

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.

 

so ladies, what do you think my chances are of getting roses or something like that for the sweetest day, if my bf doesn't really believe in celebrating valentine's day because it is such a commercialized holiday?

 

How weird, I had no idea it was regional either.  I'm from Ohio and therefore have also "celebrated" Sweetest day.  Nothing big, just a card, flowers, dinner.  I really like the story of how it originated.  Maybe it should go back to being more about doing stuff for the underprivileged, etc and less about Hallmark cards.