APPLE GIFTING DAY

January 1

What if your family’s first gift of the new year were something as simple as an apple?

Apple Gifting Day is a fun opportunity to share a little kindness, explore the history of gift-giving, and discover how much learning can happen with one ordinary piece of fruit.

A Little History

People have been exchanging gifts to welcome the new year for thousands of years. In ancient Rome, people shared small gifts called strenae, including dates, figs, honey, and greenery. These gifts carried good wishes for the coming year.

Apples also have a history as gifts, particularly for teachers. In some communities, families helped provide food for teachers, and apples were one way to contribute. Over time, the apple became a familiar symbol of teaching and learning.

Although the exact origins of Apple Gifting Day aren’t clear, giving someone an apple can be a simple way to wish them a happy, healthy new year.

Use What You Have

Make Something

Explore Together

Simple Ways to Celebrate

Use What You Have

• Give an apple. Choose one from your fruit bowl and surprise someone with a thoughtful gift.
• Have an apple taste test. If you have different varieties, compare their flavors, colors, and textures.
• Count and sort. Younger children can sort apples by size or color. Older children can estimate weights or compare measurements.
• Investigate an apple. Cut one open and examine the skin, flesh, core, and seeds together.
• Share an apple memory. Talk about favorite apple treats, orchard visits, or family recipes.

Make Something

• Create an apple gift tag. Write a friendly message and attach it to an apple.
• Try apple stamping. Cut an apple in half, dip the cut side in washable paint, and make prints.
• Make an apple snack. Prepare apple slices with cinnamon or another favorite topping.
• Draw an apple still life. Place an apple on the table and observe its shape, colors, and shadows.
• Write a tiny apple poem. Make an acrostic using APPLE, or write a few lines about sharing kindness.

Explore Together

• Find out where apples grow. Investigate whether apple orchards grow in your state.
• Read an apple story. Enjoy an apple-themed picture book you own or borrow from the library.
• Discover how apples grow. Explore the journey from blossom to fruit.
• Talk about giving. Ask, “What makes a gift special, the gift itself or the thought behind it?”
• Follow an apple’s journey. Look at a produce sticker or package label and investigate where your apple came from.

A Little Help from Happy Hive

Free Apple Gifting Tags

Turn an ordinary apple into a thoughtful New Year’s gift with Happy Hive’s printable gift tags.

Get the free Apple Gifting Tags

All you need is an apple, a tag, and someone you’d like to make smile.

Save This Holiday

Mark your calendar & save this holiday for next year!

You can also pin the image below to your Pinterest boards to save this fantastic holiday!

Return to the Holiday of the Day calendar.