Flake Appreciation Day

Categories:: Fun
Tags:: Appreciation
Where:: United States
Date change rule:: Every December 18
Holiday emoji:: ❄️

Flake Appreciation Day arrives every December 18, inviting us to admire the delicate beauty of snowflakes. These unique ice crystals, each a natural masterpiece, form intricate patterns as they fall. Take a moment to observe the winter wonderland around you and appreciate these fleeting works of art.

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Expected Flake Appreciation Day Deals

While we await official 2027 promotions, history shows that winter-themed brands often embrace Flake Appreciation Day. Look for deals from retailers like REI on winter gear, Patagonia for cold-weather apparel, and perhaps even discounts on hot cocoa from Starbucks or Dunkin’. Specialty stores like Godiva Chocolatier might offer snowflake-shaped treats, while ski resorts such as Vail Resorts or Aspen Snowmass could feature early-bird specials or themed events. We will update this page with confirmed live deals as December 18 approaches.

Platform Guide for Flake Appreciation Day

Instagram

Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #FlakeAppreciationDay. Share stunning close-ups of snowflakes or scenic winter landscapes.

TikTok

Tag @www.nationaltoday.com and use #FlakeAppreciationDay. Create short videos showcasing how snowflakes form or unique snow art.

Facebook

Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #FlakeAppreciationDay. Share facts about snowflakes and invite followers to post their favorite winter photos.

Flake Appreciation Day Hero

Wilson 'Snowflake' Bentley

Wilson Alwyn Bentley (1865-1931) was a self-educated farmer from Jericho, Vermont, who became the first known person to photograph a single snowflake. Using a microscope attached to a bellows camera, he captured thousands of unique snowflake images over his lifetime, revealing their intricate and diverse structures to the world. His pioneering work, which began in 1885, earned him the nickname 'Snowflake' Bentley and significantly advanced the scientific understanding and public appreciation of these natural wonders. His legacy continues to inspire awe for the beauty of ice crystals.

History of Flake Appreciation Day

Snowflakes are a subject of thought and appreciation on Flake Appreciation Day. The event is celebrated around December when snow begins to fall in many parts of the Northern Hemisphere. Snowflakes can be classified into one of 35 different shape groups based on their size and shape. When water vapor in the clouds condenses into ice crystals, snowflakes spontaneously appear in nature. Snowflakes’ shapes are impacted by elements like dust, temperature, humidity, and currents.

There are different numbers of water molecules in snowflakes, which cause them to form a crystal pattern. Because of diffuse reflection, snowflakes appear white even though they are made of clear ice. Snowflakes are usually studied by putting a chemical compound on a glass plate and allowing a flake to land on the plate. The chemical compound covers the snowflake and hardens. The snowflake leaves its shape behind after it melts.

The history of snowflakes was greatly influenced by Wilson Bentley. He was born in 1865 in Jericho, Vermont. His work is significant as he helped discover that no two snowflakes are exactly alike. He used a type of photography that uses microscopes called photomicrography to take pictures of 5,000 snowflakes. Bentley published articles and books about his findings and donated some of his photographs to the Smithsonian Institution. He was the world’s leading snowflake expert and was referred to as ‘The Snowflake Man’ until he died in 1931.

Flake Appreciation Day timeline

1555

Snowflakes are Documented

Scandinavian bishop Olaus Magnus describes snowflakes as having a peculiar assortment of shapes.

1591

Snowflakes Have Symmetry

Thomas Harriot correctly identifies the snowflake’s sixfold symmetry.

1865

Wilson Bentley is Born

The snowflake expert is born in Vermont.

1885

Bentley Photographs Snowflakes

Bentley succeeds in photographing his first snow crystal.

Flake Appreciation Day FAQs

When is Flake Appreciation Day?

Flake Appreciation Day 2026 falls on Friday, December 18. It’s the perfect occasion to pause and admire the unique beauty of winter’s delicate ice crystals.

How many types of snowflakes are there?

Scientists have categorized snowflakes into 35 different types based on their shape and structure. These range from simple hexagonal plates to complex stellar dendrites, each a marvel of natural geometry.

Are any two snowflakes really alike?

It is widely believed that no two snowflakes are exactly alike. The immense number of water molecules in a single snowflake, combined with the variable atmospheric conditions during its formation, makes identical replication virtually impossible.

How do snowflakes form?

Snowflakes form when water vapor in clouds freezes around tiny dust or pollen particles. As they fall through varying temperatures and humidity levels, more water vapor freezes onto the crystal, building its unique and often hexagonal shape.

Flake Appreciation Day Activities

Do some research
You can do some research to learn more about snowflakes. The research will expand your knowledge base.
Spend the day with others
The holiday will be more fun when you spend and share it with others. You can tell your friends about the holiday online or in person, and you all can celebrate together.
Catch some snowflakes
Consider going outside and catching some snowflakes on your tongue if you're fortunate enough to have snow today. You could build snowballs and snowmen using the snow, depending on how much snow has piled on the ground. You may make a road trip to a location where snow is forecast or where snowflakes frequently fall to ensure you see some.

5 Interesting Facts About Snow

Many people have not seen it
A snowflake has never been seen by around half the world's population.
Snow is not white
Snow is not white but translucent.
Snow can be blue
Snow can appear blue when it has built many layers.
Snow can be pink
Some types of freshwater algae tint the snow with red pigment, which makes it appear pink.
Igloos are warm
Igloos are made of snow but can be 100 degrees warmer on the inside than it is on the outside.

Why We Love Flake Appreciation Day

It gives off calm, relaxing vibes
As the snow melts and then refreezes, the snow surface can harden and reflect sound waves, allowing sounds to be heard more clearly and farther away. This fosters a tranquil environment. A fresh snowfall still can calm us down on all levels, even in our most stressful situations.
It links us to childhood memories
Snow is the substance that is most naturally linked to childhood, and it might be difficult for many of us to avoid going back to those brighter, carefree times. Many of us have fond recollections of our childhoods spent playing in the snow, so when we see those big, fluffy flakes falling from the sky, our good memories come flooding back.
It reminds us of the beauty in nature
While rain usually shrouds our surroundings in a gloomy, dreary grayness, its frozen counterpart brightens them and transforms them into exquisite winter wonderlands. We can become enchanted by the great expanse of white space and the powdered evergreen trees to the point that we find it impossible to look away.