Hug Holiday Day

When:
🗓️ June 29

Since:
🥂 2006

Created by: 🤷

An extra hug holiday for when you need some extra hugging! 🤗

~~Created by Hugs for Health Foundation~~

Hug Holiday Day is a rogue holiday!

While Hugs for Health Foundation has had a National Hug Holiday and a Project: Hug Day since at least 1999 according to the Way Back Machine, there was no Hug Holiday Day to be found in any year.
The National Hug Holiday has been a week long celebration at least since 1999 in the first week of June, until it moved to the first week of May in 2003 and has stayed there ever since.

In 2006 reports surfaced on several holidays sites and pages about a Hug Holiday Day attributed to the Hugs for Health Foundation. But these seem to be misunderstandings or even unverified copy-paste holidays. (These happen a lot with unofficial holidays)

However, since rogue holidays holidays do become real when they are celebrated enough times by enough people, Hug Holiday Day has become a real holiday even if it has been misattributed.

“I told my partner they should embrace their mistakes….
They gave me a hug.”

The Hug Decoder:
From Awkward to Awesome

The Approach:

Consent is key:
Stay mindful of personal boundaries and make sure that your hugs are wanted.
If the person explicitly says “no”, leans back, tenses up creates distance, or looks at you like you’re trying to sell them timeshares, it’s a clear sign they prefer their personal space bubble intact.
Assess the Hug-Worthiness:
Look for signs of open body language, a genuine smile and an overall friendly vibe from the person you wish to hug.
Timing is Key:
Pick the right moment, like when you’re parting ways or reuniting after a long absence.
Avoid surprise attacks, especially when they’re balancing a tray of hot coffee.
Unless you are really really sure the other person is into surprise hugs, Then just glomp away and disregard the rest of this guide.
Be Mindful of Odor:
Maintain at least a minimal standard of bodily hygiene. Wash daily and don’t wear clothes that are sticky, soggy, greasy, etc. Fresh breath is essential.
You can’t hug well if you’re a walking bio-hazard.

How to Initiate

Approach with Panache:
Start with a casual warm approach, radiating enough charm to power a small, huggable planet.
Avoid the “I’m going to tackle you” vibe.
The Air Hug Warm-up:
Keep your body language open, as if you’re a human-sized embrace emoji awaiting activation.
Slowly extend your arms, maintaining eye contact and a friendly smile.
The Verbally Vague Invitation:
Utter the magical words, “I could use a hug right now,” without sounding like you’re auditioning for a Hallmark movie.
Respect personal boundaries by adding a friendly disclaimer like, “If you’re comfortable with it, of course!”
Allow them the freedom to choose whether they want to embrace the opportunity or graciously decline.

The Actual Hug

Go For Grace:
Move forward with grace, aiming for a gentle collision like between two gentle fluffy clouds.
Aim for the Perfect Squeeze:
Aim for a balanced embrace.
Find the sweet spot in between. Squeeze gently, like you’re hugging a marshmallow, not trying to pop it!
Embrace like a fluffy teddy bear, not a boa constrictor.
Still Respect Personal Space:
Hug with enough distance to allow the other person to break free when they see fit. Don’t hug tight like a possessive python.
The Duration Dilemma:
A brief, friendly squeeze is usually sufficient. Avoid lingering too long.

Master the Art of Release

A Graceful Exit:
After the hug, release gently, like releasing a majestic butterfly into the wild.
Step back, maintaining a friendly smile.
Optionally, Repeat:
A well received hug might result in the other person initiating another hug.
Repeat from the start as often as required.

The ultimate goal of a good hug is to make others feel comfortable and valued, all while avoiding any potential awkwardness.
Now go forth, spread your polite and friendly embraces like a soft breeze of friendly confetti!

#HugHolidayDay