The History of Sweetest Day

When people think about Sweetest Day, they think that it is some made-up Holiday by greeting card and floral companies, this could not be further from the truth.

The history of Sweetest Day goes back to 1922, when Herbert Birch Kingston, an employee of a candy company in Cleveland Ohio, began handing out candy to local orphans, the elderly, homebound people and other's that he believed felt forgotten. The candy company followed his lead and continued the tradition of giving and called it " The Sweetest Day of the Year" and distributed over 10,000 boxes of candy to over 26 Cleveland charities their first year.

The candy company was not the only ones to follow Mr. Kingston's lead. Movie Star Ann Pennington presented 2,200 Cleveland newspaper boys with boxes of candy to thank them for their public service. Theda Bara, another popular movie star, gave 10,000 boxes of candy to people in Cleveland hospitals and those that came to watch her film in a local theater.

Sweetest is primarily a regional observance, with Ohio being the top state for Sweetest Day Sales, When people moved they took their tradition with them and now among the top states that celebrate Sweetest day are, Michigan, Illinois, Texas, California and Florida.

Even though through the years " Sweetest Day" has become a day that is associated with romance, many still hold true to the original spirit of the holiday by making it the sweetest day of the year with candy. It is celebrated every third Saturday in October.

Some suggestions on how to celebrate Sweetest Day

Keep in mind the spirit of the Holiday and the original intentions of it, volunteer at a homeless shelter, send some treats to seniors at a nursing home, deliver candy to the local orphanage, or send a bouquet of flowers to a senior community center.

Send or give flowers or candy to those that contribute to making your life happy, this is not a day reserved for lover's only.

Finally treat that someone special in your life to a dinner, either in a restaurant or at home.