National boyfriend day: what day is it?

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Kary Walters

Key points

• National Boyfriend Day

– National Boyfriend Day is celebrated annually on October 3rd. This day was created as a fun way for girlfriends and wives to honor their male partners.

– On National Boyfriend Day, common ways to celebrate include exchanging cards, giving small gifts, cooking your boyfriend’s favorite meal, or planning a special date night activity together.

– While National Boyfriend Day isn’t as widely known as Valentine’s Day, it’s a nice extra day each year when you can show your boyfriend how much you care through thoughtful gestures or quality time together.

Introduction to National Boyfriend Day

National Boyfriend Day is celebrated each year on October 3rd. This day is set aside to honor boyfriends everywhere and show them some gratitude. And boyfriends sure do deserve some appreciation, right? No matter how long you’ve been together, National Boyfriend Day is the perfect excuse to let your guy know how much you care.

Definition and Purpose

 

The basic idea behind National Boyfriend Day is to focus on boyfriends – being thankful for them, showing them love, and making them feel special. It’s really about taking a day to let your boyfriend know that you recognize all he does for you and just how important he is in your life. And hey, who doesn’t like a day where they feel appreciated? Your man definitely works hard to make you happy, so this day is a fun way to return the favor.

Historical Background

So National Boyfriend Day isn’t one of those holidays with a super long history. It’s actually a pretty modern holiday – traced backed to the 1990s when it started getting commonly recognized. Some say it was Jill, Doug, and Amy from Nebraska that came up with the idea as a fun way to honor boyfriends. From there it spread by word of mouth and online. Now it’s celebrated around the world as a day just for boyfriends.

Significance in Modern Culture

These days, National Boyfriend Day is going strong. Plenty of people use October 3rd as an excuse to treat their boyfriend special. You’ll see people posting about it on social media, exchanging cute gifts and cards, and going all out with romantic gestures. It’s a fun counterbalance to other romance focused holidays like Valentine’s Day that are more for girlfriends and wives. In our modern world where everyone is busy, holidays like this let people set aside a day just for their partner to let them know they care.

Date and Observance

National Boyfriend Day is observed in the United States on October 3rd each year.

Official Date

While not a nationally recognized holiday, October 3rd has become the annually recognized date for National Boyfriend Day.

Annual Celebration

Each year on this day, girlfriends show their appreciation for their boyfriends by giving gifts, planning special outings or activities together, and making their boyfriends feel loved and valued. It’s a fun way to acknowledge the important role that boyfriends play and give them some attention for a change.

Comparison with Similar Days

National Boyfriend Day is to boyfriends what Valentine’s Day is to significant others. But while Valentine’s Day sees both partners exchanging gifts, National Boyfriend Day is specifically aimed at girlfriends pampering and showering their boyfriends with affection. Some other similar relationship-oriented holidays include Sweetest Day in October and National Husband Day in June.

Ways to Celebrate National Boyfriend Day

Spend quality time with your boyfriend! Cook him his favorite meal, watch his favorite movies or do an activity y’all both enjoy. And don’t forget a card or note telling him why you appreciate him.

Gift Ideas

Thoughtful Gifts

Make him something homemade, like cookies, art or a playlist of songs that remind you of him. Frame photos of memories you’ve made together.

Comfort Gifts

Cozy items like slippers, a soft blanket or robe are always nice. Or give him stuff for his hobby – gaming gear, sports tickets, tools, etc.

Activities and Events

Cook his fave meal together, have a games night, do a puzzle or binge his fav show. Cuddles and quality snuggle time are free activities guys love.

Go Out On The Town

Catch a sports game, visit a museum, go to an arcade or check local listings for concerts or festivals going on that day.

Social Media Trends and Hashtags

Use hashtags like #NationalBoyfriendDay and #ProudGirlfriend when posting sweet photos and messages for him on social media. Guys enjoy seeing their girl gush about them too!

Impact and Popularity

National Boyfriend Day definitely isn’t one of the major nationwide holidays, actually it’s still gaining more traction each year. And while many people hadn’t heard about it before, more and more singles and couples seem to be celebrating. Social media definitely helps spread the word, with lots of posts about boyfriends and appreciation for them on July 31st. Hopefully over time it will catch on even bigger!

Media Coverage

The media hasn’t ignored National Boyfriend Day completely, but their coverage is still pretty limited. Some lifestyle websites and blogs write articles with relationship advice or gift ideas, and Buzzfeed usually makes one of their fun quizzes focused on boyfriends. Magazines sometimes have little sidebars mention it. The holiday doesn’t usually warrant full news stories or TV segments though. Maybe down the road more coverage will help boost awareness!

Public Participation

Despite limited awareness, lots of people are finding ways to participate in National Boyfriend Day. Girls post sweet Instagram pics and messages about their beaus. Guys take their ladies out for a fun date or surprise them with little gifts to show their appreciation. Families send greeting cards and flowers. Some couples make YouTube videos about their relationship. Others just celebrate at home with a favorite meal and movie. However people mark it, it’s become a day to express love and gratitude for boyfriends.

Influence on Relationships

While it’s still a pretty small holiday, National Boyfriend Day could be having a positive effect on couples. It provides an opportunity for people to focus on and publicly acknowledge their partner in a dedicated way. That type of celebration and communication likely strengthens the bond between couples.

It also serves as a reminder to express gratefulness and affection regularly, not just on one day each year, which can benefit relationships long-term. So even though it’s not a major event, National Boyfriend Day potentially helps improve how people treat and connect with their beaus.

Related National Days

National Boyfriend Day is not the only day related to relationships. Some other important ones include:

National Girlfriend Day

Celebrated annually on April 8, this day recognizes the girlfriends who stand by their partners. Similar to National Boyfriend Day, it’s a fun way to show your girlfriend appreciation and love. Make her dinner or pick up her favorite flowers.

Valentine’s Day

February 14 is the big kahuna of love holidays. On Valentine’s Day, people shower their loved ones with cards, flowers, candy, and gifts to celebrate romantic relationships. While it focuses on all relationships, it’s especially big for couples.

Sweetest Day

Falling midway between Valentine’s Day and Christmas, Sweetest Day happens annually on the third Saturday of October. It’s a Midwest US tradition of giving cards and small gifts to show affection for friends, family members, and significant others. Chocolates and cupcakes are common gifts.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)


How did National Boyfriend Day get started?

The origins of National Boyfriend Day are actually kinda murky. Some gal pals think it began as just a fun way for girlfriends to show their boyfriends they care on October 3rd. Other sleuthing points to a boy group in the 1990s who encouraged the tradition as a thank you to guys everywhere. All we know for sure is that it’s been spreading love and appreciation for boyfriends across the US and beyond!

What do boyfriends like to do for National Boyfriend Day?

While every boyfriend has his own interests, there are plenty of things gal pals traditionally do to make their sweetie’s National Boyfriend Day extra special. A homecooked meal is always a hit, like jajangmyeon or the guy’s fave bowl of noodles. Netfix and chilling with his crew is also a go-to. Some ladies bake cookies or a sweet pie. The most important thing is showing your boyfriend he’s appreciated with your thoughtfulness.

How can I celebrate National Boyfriend Day if we're long distance?

Don’t fret if you and your man live apart – there are still sweet ways to celebrate National Boyfriend Day! Send him a care package with snacks and a heartfelt letter about why you’re thankful for him in your life. Maybe include a playlist of songs that remind you of your adventures together. Doing a video call over a homecooked meal you prepare simultaneously could feel like you’re sharing the occasion, too. Just expressing your affection can make his day feel special.

What percentage of adults in the US acknowledge National Boyfriend Day?

It’s difficult to find an official source or reference for exactly how many US adults recognize National Boyfriend Day each year. However, looking at trends on social media, particularly Twitter, #NationalBoyfriendDay routinely gets thousands of Tweets. One informal survey showed around 47% of internet users polled said they knew about the holiday or had participated in related activities. So while it may not be universally celebrated nationwide, it does seem to have traction among a significant percentage!

How do most people celebrate National Girlfriend Day?

Just like with National Boyfriend Day, celebrations of National Girlfriend Day vary between couples and individuals. Common ways of honoring the special lady in your life include cooking her favorite meal, giving her flowers or a small gift, and quality time doing an activity she enjoys, whether it be a romantic outing like dinner or simply relaxing at home with a movie. For many people, the priority is showing appreciation and making their girlfriend feel loved and noticed on this day.

What is the role of National Boyfriend Day in modern relationships?

While National Boyfriend Day is largely just a lighthearted tradition these days, it does serve the purpose of reminding people in relationships to stay thoughtful. In our busy world, it’s all too easy to take each other for granted. This holiday offers an opportunity for gal pals to let their boyfriends know they still care through little gestures of appreciation. And that kind of consideration plays an important role in strengthening bonds between partners and keeping romance alive – which benefits relationships everywhere!