- Categories:
- Food & Beverage
- Tags:
- FruitHealthHealthy Food
- Where:
- United States
- Date change rule:
- Every January 1
- Holiday emoji:
- 🍎
Apple Gifting Day arrives every January 1, a delightful tradition marking New Year’s Day with a wish for good health. This holiday encourages sharing crisp, fresh apples with loved ones, symbolizing vitality and a prosperous year ahead. Embrace the spirit by gifting a variety of apples, from sweet to tart, and inspire a healthy start to the new year.
Want to sponsor Apple Gifting Day? Learn how
Expected Apple Gifting Day Deals
While we await official 2027 promotions to drop, history shows grocery chains and healthy food retailers often feature apple specials around the New Year. Look for deals from stores like Whole Foods Market, Trader Joe’s, and local farmer’s markets on a wide range of apple varieties. Fruit delivery services such as Harry & David and FruitBouquets.com may offer special gift baskets featuring premium apples. Even tech giants like Apple Inc. might playfully lean into the theme with health-focused promotions for their devices. We will update this page with confirmed live deals as January 1 approaches.
Platform Guide for Apple Gifting Day
Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #AppleGiftingDay. Share vibrant photos of apple varieties, creative apple recipes, or heartwarming moments of gifting apples to friends and family.
TikTok
Tag @www.nationaltoday.com and use #AppleGiftingDay. Film short, engaging videos on the health benefits of apples, DIY apple gift ideas, or quick healthy apple snack tutorials.
Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #AppleGiftingDay. Post about the tradition of apple gifting, ask followers to share their favorite apple varieties, or organize a virtual apple recipe exchange.
Apple Gifting Day Hero
John Chapman (Johnny Appleseed)
History of Apple Gifting Day
The history of giving apples as gifts goes way back before Christ. In ancient Greek and Roman empires, it was a tradition to give fruits on the occasion of the arrival of the new year. Even in the Celtic cultures, the gifting of mistletoe, gilded nuts, and branches of sacred trees was a great tradition that, under the influence of Greek and Roman empires, spread throughout Europe.
Until the 17th century, the generic term for fruits other than berries was ‘apple.’ Giving apples as a gift was considered to be a sign of wealth and perhaps that is the reason apples serve as a symbol for many things such as love, knowledge, bounty, beauty, and good health. Small gifts were usually given to family and friends on New Year’s Day, but assorted fruit gifts, especially apples, were considered valuable on such occasions.
As advancements in science were made and Europeans started spreading out to distant lands, the traditions of giving gifts on New Year’s Day followed them. The same thing happened in the U.S. that the tradition of giving fruits to people became a custom, and the European settlers retained this tradition, which had become a part of American culture.
During the early years of American History, teachers were often given apples as payments. This custom of giving apples continued even after teachers started receiving cash remunerations, but then apple gifts were reduced to a mere token of gratitude from students.
Today the tradition has become quaint and merely historic. But it’s still ideal, nonetheless.
Apple Gifting Day timeline
The tradition of giving fruits as gifts is traced to Greece and Rome, from where it spreads to England and surrounding areas.
Apples arrive in America, and they are brought by the Europeans in the 17th century.
Teachers receive apples as payment for their service, in early American tradition, as the records reveal.
On October 21, 1990, the first National Apple Day is celebrated.
How Businesses Can Celebrate Apple Gifting Day
Local businesses can embrace Apple Gifting Day by promoting healthy starts to the new year. Grocery stores and farmer’s markets can offer special ‘gifting bundles’ of premium apples or host tasting events for different apple varieties. Health food shops might partner with local orchards to create unique apple-themed gift baskets. Even corporate offices could provide fresh apples to employees, fostering a culture of wellness and appreciation.
Apple Gifting Day FAQs
When is Apple Gifting Day?
In 2027, Apple Gifting Day is observed on Friday, January 1, offering a wonderful way to extend New Year’s greetings by sharing the symbolic gift of an apple with loved ones.
Why do people give apples on New Year's Day?
This practice stems from the apple’s long-standing cultural association with life and renewal. Presenting an apple is a simple yet profound gesture to convey hopes for well-being and a fresh start in the new year.
How many varieties of apples are there?
The sheer number of apple varieties means there’s an apple for every preference, from the crisp sweetness of a Gala to the tartness of a Granny Smith, ensuring endless possibilities for culinary uses and fresh eating.
What are the health benefits of eating apples?
Regular consumption of apples can support weight management due to their high fiber content, reduce the risk of chronic diseases, and provide essential nutrients, truly embodying the adage ‘an apple a day keeps the doctor away.’
How to Celebrate Apple Gifting Day
Give someone an apple
Simply give an apple to a friend or a family member. Tell them, It’s Apple Gifting Day, so here is an Apple for you.
Make your own collection of assorted apples
There are over 100 edible varieties of apples in America, and every single one of them is worth trying. This Apple Gift Day, make your own collection of assorted apples and try them. You will not be disappointed.
Improvise on an apple-something recipe
Go a step forward and make something out of apples, e.g. an apple pie. Share it with your family and friends.
5 Facts About Apple Gifting Day Everyone Should Know.
7000+ varieties of apples
There are more than 7000 types of apples in the world.
Apple is the oldest published fruit
Mentioned in the tales of Adam and Eve, the apple is the oldest and most published fruit in history.
A worldwide sensation
With over 7,000 varieties, the apple is the most abundant and widely consumed fruit in the world.
Apple: the purported forbidden fruit
Although in the Bible it is not mentioned what was the forbidden fruit, consensus says that it was an apple.
Almaty
Almaty, the former capital city of Kazakhstan, is named after apples — the word is derived from the Russian ‘алма,’ which means 'full of apples.'
Why We Love Apple Gifting Day
Reminds us to eat apples
'Apples' used to be a generic term referring to fruits except for nuts and berries. Fruits are nutritious and healthful. By giving people apples you are promoting good health.
Apple is a symbol of good health
In today’s world where everything is processed, giving a bushel of fresh apples expresses your concern for the health of the beneficiary. Why not give apples to the people you love.
Apples are simply great
Apple is the most consumed fruit in the world and covers 50% of the produce of all deciduous trees. If nothing else, this is enough reason to celebrate this celebrity fruit.
Social Media Tips for Apple Gifting Day
Individuals
Creators
Brands