Celebrate National Fruitcake Toss Day on the First Saturday in January
Background image courtesy of jeffreyw
Are you someone who hates fruitcake? Then this day is for you! It’s National Fruitcake Toss Day!
Yes, this is the day to get rid of those holiday fruitcakes you’re never going to eat.
Now, some of us actually like fruitcake. But we’ll also admit there are some pretty bad ones. So whether you love ’em or hate ’em, there’s a good chance you have one to toss.
This day apparently grew out of an annual event in Manitou Springs, Colorado. In 1996 the city had the first ever Great Fruitcake Toss. The goal of this event is to toss your unwanted fruitcake as far as you can, so it’ll be gone forever. Contestants can toss them by hand or any other means, from catapults to spud guns.
Manitou Springs canceled 2014’s Great Fruitcake Toss due to lack of sponsors and decreased attendance. But the event returned in 2019! It doesn’t correspond with National Fruitcake Toss Day, but that doesn’t mean you can’t celebrate this day. Or even both days!
Manitou Spring’s Great Fruitcake Toss for 2022 is scheduled for January 22.
Scroll down for some ideas on celebrating this fun unofficial holiday.
How to Celebrate
Individuals: Toss/Eat That Cake!
Ok, realistically if you hate fruitcake you’ve probably already gotten rid of any unwanted gifts. But if not, today’s the day to get rid of it. Throw it away or give it to a fruitcake-loving friend (yes, we do exist!).
Or if you’ve planned ahead for this momentous day ;) maybe you could stage your own version of the Great Fruitcake Toss.
Try getting creative and having some fun with your unwanted cake first. Play catch or football with it before getting rid of it forever.
Companies: Sell That Cake!
If you sell fruitcakes, this might be a good day to put your leftover holiday supply on deep discount. Sort of your own version of tossing (getting rid of) fruitcakes you don’t want to keep around much longer. Put them in a prominent display, of course!
If you don’t sell the cakes, you could promote the day as one for employees to bring in their fruitcakes to share with co-workers. Yes! Odds are good you have at least a few people who like the cakes and would actually want to eat some/take some home. You know employees bring foods to share around the holidays anyway. So make it a sanctioned event. Any cakes left at the end of the day get … what else … tossed in the garbage.
Depending on your company culture, you might even be able to stage an actual fruitcake throwing contest. Your own company version of the Manitou Springs event.
Your company’s closed on Saturdays? Either move your celebration to Friday or you get a free pass to skip this one!
What Date Does National Fruitcake Toss Day Fall On?
Since this celebration takes place on the first Saturday of January, the actual date will change each year. So here’s a quick guide for the next few years (so you can plan ahead!):
- 2022: Saturday, January 1
- 2023: Saturday, January 7
- 2024: Saturday, January 6
- 2025: Saturday, January 4
- 2026: Saturday, January 3
- 2027: Saturday, January 2
- 2028: Saturday, January 1
[…] National Fruitcake Toss Day: On the first Saturday in January, toss that fruitcake! […]
[…] Springs Great Fruitcake Toss: It no longer corresponds with Fruitcake Toss Day, but this is where the day began! If you happen to be in the area, go check it out. If not, […]
[…] National Fruitcake Toss Day: Fruitcake. You either love it or hate it. If you love it, toss some in your mouth! If you hate it, toss those “gifts” in the trash. Or give it to someone who loves it. Just make sure you give it in the form of a toss … which should be easy in this socially distanced year! […]