Sweetest Day
Always observed on the third Saturday in October
| 80 percent of Sweetest Day cards have a “love” or “romance” theme. |
| Hallmark first made Sweetest Day cards in the mid-1960s. |
2007 Product Features
-
163 Sweetest Day cards.
-
Hallmark introduces four Cards With Sound for Sweetest Day 2007. Cards With Sound feature popular songs with CD-like sound quality as well as clips from favorite movies and TV shows
-
Hallmark offers a variety of gifts appropriate for Sweetest Day, including photo frames, Gift Books From Hallmark and Gillham & Grand chocolates, as well as many gift wrap options.
Holiday History
Legend has it that Sweetest Day was established around 1922 by Herbert Birch Kingston, a Cleveland, Ohio, candy company employee who wanted to bring happiness to the lives of those who often were forgotten. Kingston and others distributed candy and small gifts to orphans, shut-ins and others to show them someone cared.
In the early 1930s, movie stars got into the act. Ann Pennington distributed candy to 2,200 Cleveland newspaper boys, and Theda Bara gave candy to theater-goers and patients in Cleveland hospitals.
In time, the Sweetest Day idea of spreading cheer broadened to include everyone from family members to sweethearts, and co-workers to acquaintances.
Observance of Sweetest Day is most prevalent in the Great Lakes region where the holiday originated, including Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, and Wisconsin. As people become more mobile and jobs take them to different regions, the once-regional celebration of Sweetest Day is spreading throughout the country.
Sweetest Day celebrations are similar to Valentine’s Day in most locations.
In Stores
Available at Hallmark Gold Crown® stores nationwide and wherever Hallmark products are sold. Use the store locator on Hallmark.com to find the nearest Hallmark Gold Crown store.