Apple Gifting Day Date in the current year: January 1, 2024

Apple gifting is an old tradition that dates back to pre-Christian times. In ancient Greece and Rome, for example, it was common to give assorted fruit as a gift on the occasion of the arrival of the new year. The tradition continued into the Middle Ages; giving assorted fruit as a New Year’s gift was considered a sign or wealth and prosperity because fruit were hard to come by during winter. It should be noted that until approximately the 17th century the word “apple” also functioned as a generic term for all fruit excluding berries but including nuts, so the phrases “fruit gifting” and “apple gifting” were synonymous.

Around the 16th or 17th century, the tradition of gifting apples to teachers were born. Since teachers were paid very little, parents often gave them baskets of apples to help compensate for their meager wages. Why apples? Well, the answer is simple: apples were the most common and abundant fruit, so even the poorest families could afford to give away some of their apple harvest. Eventually teachers’ wages began to rise, but the tradition of giving apples to teachers as a token of appreciation remained.

Apples are a great gift because of their symbolism. Even though the forbidden fruit eaten by Adam and Eve is not identified in the Book of Genesis, popular Christian tradition holds that it was an apple, so apples have come to be associated with knowledge, among other things. In Norse mythology, apples were associated with youth and fertility. Apples are also widely associated with good health: a common proverb dating back to the 19th century says, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away”. So if you gift someone an apple, they will certainly understand that you mean well and wish them only good things.

The easiest way to celebrate Apple Gifting Day is to gift delicious apples to your family, friends, neighbors, and coworkers (if you happen to work on New Year’s Day). However, if just gifting apples seems a little bit boring to you, don’t be afraid to get creative. For example, you can bake an apple pie or some apple turnovers and invite your family and friends over for a tea party, make canned applesauce in cute jars, or challenge yourself to try as many apple varieties as possible. And don’t forget to post about the holiday on social media with the hashtag #AppleGiftingDay.

If you love apples, Apple Gifting Day is not the only apple-related holiday you can celebrate. For example, Eat a Red Apple Day is observed annually on December 1 to remind us of the numerous health benefits of apples. The UK charity and lobby group Common Ground hosts Apple Day every October 21 to celebrate Britain’s apples and orchards. In Germany, German Apples Day (Tag des deutschen Apfels) is held every January 11 to promote local apple cultivars and encourage people to increase their apple consumption.