Got an idea for a holiday? Send it to us

Submit Now

235 Shares
235 Shares
WedNov 27

National Tie One On Day – November 27, 2024

National Tie One On Day is a day for celebrating baked love every year on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, on November 24 this year. On Thanksgiving Eve, apron-wearers all over America share some love with someone around them with a loaf of bread and an apron. Here’s how it works — On National Tie One On Day, apron-clad people in their homes put a sweet little note in an apron, wrap a loaf of bread in it, and deliver it to anyone who they’d like to show a little holiday love. From neighbors to gardeners, friends, and work colleagues, National Tie One On Day is a day to put the “give” back in Thanksgiving. Tie One On Day (or TOODay as it is often called) isn’t about the apron or the apron-wearer — it’s about the love. Even though National Tie One On Day is traditionally celebrated by women who cook, it can extend to anyone who is looking to spread some TLC to someone near them. If you can’t bake a loaf of bread, you can buy one from the grocery store.

History of National Tie One On Day

The very first Tie One On Day was held by apron expert, EllynAnne Geisel, in 2006. EllynAnne Geisel is a maverick and legend in the apron community with her website, “Apron Memories,” and her best-selling books, “The Apron Book” and “Apron Chronicles,” which chronicle the making, wearing, and sharing of the cloth that brings so much comfort and joy.

EllynAnne was preparing for Thanksgiving on its eve and thinking about how people complain about the amount of work they had to do to prepare for the holiday when she remembered a tragedy that had befallen one of her neighbors. She realized how lucky she was and decided to express that by sharing some TLC with her neighbor. She wrapped some sweet bread in an apron and wrote a sweet note that said “I hope this makes your day just a little happier.” Donning an apron, she presented her wrapped treat to her neighbor.

That singular act of kindness inspired the beautiful day we now know as National Tie One On Day. EllynAnne said she felt such joy after her act that she wanted other people to feel and share such joy and love. So, she created Tie One On Day to encourage people all over the U.S. and beyond to share some love and kindness before giving thanks on Thanksgiving.

Tie One On Day is a day to tie on an apron and show some love.  Aprons are historically symbolic of warmth, hominess, and hospitality. Today, hundreds of people around the world don their aprons on National Tie One On Day to embody the true spirit of aprons – generosity, kindness, and hospitality.

National Tie One On Day timeline

1300
Aprons Appear for the First Time

The earliest recorded instance of aprons is in medieval paintings dating back to the 1300s.

1700s
The First Above-the-Waist Apron Appear

The bottom part of aprons is tied at the waist and the top part is pinned to the apron.

Mid-1800s
Straps are Added to Aprons

The West expansion and the effects of the Civil War lead to straps being added to aprons for more utility.

2000s
Aprons Become Popular Again

Vintage aprons, styles, and skills trend thanks to bloggers making home-making popular.

National Tie One On Day FAQs

What are some of EllynAnne Geisel’s Books?

EllynAnne has written two award-winning books, “The Apron Book” and “The Kitchen Linens Book,” as well as a companion gift book, “Apronisms: Pocket Wisdom for Every Day.” She has also curated a traveling exhibit called “Apron Chronicles: A Patchwork of American Recollections.”

When is National Necktie Day?

National Necktie Day is mostly celebrated in Croatia in the United Kingdom, where the holiday originated, on October 18 every year. Apart from National Necktie Day, there is also National Bow Tie Day, which is celebrated annually on August 28, and National Tie Month, which is celebrated in December.

What is National Tie Dye Day?

National Tie Dye Day is a celebration of the amazing colors and expressions created through the art of tie and dye, the colorful holiday is celebrated across the world on April 30 every year.

National Tie One On Day Activities

  1. Sew

    Tie One On Day also celebrates the apron and its contribution to the world over time. You can spend the morning of Tie One On Day sewing a stunning new apron to wrap your baked gift with

  2. Bake

    You can celebrate Tie One On Day by making a delicious baked good to share with someone around you. Even if you’re not the best in the kitchen, you can celebrate the day by buying some decadent baked treats from your local bakery.

  3. Give

    Ultimately, Tie One On Day is all about giving. Think about someone who needs a little extra T.L.C. — your plumber who’s had a bad week, the neighbor who just moved into your neighborhood, the work colleague who just recovered from an illness — and show them a little love and kindness. It’s not just the bread — you can share other things too, from money and gifts to time and attention.

5 Interesting Facts About Aprons

  1. Aprons used to be symbols of fertility

    Perhaps, the earliest depiction of women wearing aprons can be found on fertility goddess figurines — some ancient figurines of fertility goddesses wearing aprons can be found in Crete dating back as far back as 1600 B.C.

  2. The style of an apron can indicate one’s job

    Back in the middle ages, the specific style or pattern on an apron could tell you what a person’s job was — cobblers wore black aprons, barbers wore checkered ones, masons wore white aprons, and butchers wore green aprons.

  3. Aprons were once a fashion statement

    In the 1500s, women embellished their aprons with various expensive lace and embroidery and, in the 1800s, both maids and wealthy women in England and the U.S. would wear aprons, with the maid’s aprons determined by their employer’s class status.

  4. The apron was a cultural icon in the 20th century

    Aprons became a symbol of family values in pop culture in the 1940s and ’50s — women were wearing aprons to represent post-war family values and the practicality and creativity of homely women.

  5. Aprons were the clothing of the gods

    Many ancient gods have been depicted wearing aprons over the years — from Ancient Egyptian gods to those of China and Central America, there has been some relationship between aprons and ancient gods and goddesses.

Why We Love National Tie One On Day

  1. We love the smell of baked goods

    Really, who doesn’t love the smell of decadent freshly-made baked goods? We love any opportunity to whip up some delicious goods in the oven and to share the joy of great food with those around us.

  2. The world needs a little more love and kindness

    Sometimes, it’s tough to remember that there is still love and kindness in the world. Tie One On Day is a time to remind someone that life isn’t so dreary and good still exists in the world. Perhaps if everyone showed the kindness and thoughtfulness that is embodied in the spirit of Tie One On Day, the world would be a much better place.

  3. We love the apron

    Aprons are great. They’ve served many purposes to people all over the world at different times —they protect our clothes from the splatter of some delicious sauce to being a handy pocket for everything from scissors to mobile devices.

National Tie One On Day dates

YearDateDay
2022November 23Wednesday
2023November 22Wednesday
2024November 27Wednesday
2025November 26Wednesday

Holidays Straight to Your Inbox

Every day is a holiday!
Receive fresh holidays directly to your inbox.