How Much Do You Know About Apple Gifting Day? Quiz

Apple Gifting Day is celebrated every year on January 1st, aligning with traditional ways of marking New Year's Day. This day serves as an opportunity to wish loved ones good health for the rest of the year by gifting them apples.

Apples symbolize good health on Apple Gifting Day. While they have been associated with wealth, love, knowledge, and bounty historically, the primary significance on this day is the wish for good health. Giving apples is a symbolic gesture rooted in ancient traditions, where fruits, including apples, were considered a sign of wealth and were given as valuable gifts to convey various positive sentiments.

In the early years of American history, small gifts were usually given on New Year's Day to wish good health to family and friends. It was not about celebrating birthdays, welcoming new neighbors, or resolving disputes among neighbors, but rather a gesture of spreading positive wishes for well-being throughout the coming year. The tradition of gifting apples on this day aligns with the broader historical practice of giving fruits as valuable tokens of good wishes.

In the 17th century and earlier, apples were considered a valuable gift because they were seen as a symbol of wealth and prosperity. During this period, the generic term for fruits other than berries was 'apple,' and giving apples as a gift conveyed not only the availability of a precious fruit but also the sender's wish for prosperity and abundance. While apples are also associated with good health, love, and knowledge, the primary significance in this historical context was their representation of wealth and prosperity, making them a cherished gift during New Year's Day and other occasions.

Until the 17th century, the generic term for fruits other than berries was 'apple.' Giving apples as gifts was considered a sign of wealth because the term 'apple' was used generically for fruits. It is not because apples were rare, a symbol of prosperity and good fortune, or due to cultural superstition. The historical context of the term 'apple' being a broad reference to fruits enhances the significance of gifting apples as a symbol of wealth during that period.

In ancient Greek and Roman empires, it was a tradition to give fruits on the occasion of the arrival of the new year. It was not a tradition in the Ottoman and Byzantine Empires, Roman and Persian Empires, or Egyptian and Chinese Empires. The gifting of fruits, including apples, during this time influenced the broader cultural practice of presenting fruits to convey good wishes during the New Year celebrations.

The tradition of giving apples to teachers continued as a token of gratitude in the early years of American history. Even after teachers started receiving cash payments, the custom of giving apples persisted as a symbolic and meaningful gesture from students. It was not completely abandoned, transitioned to cash payments exclusively, or replaced by electronic gifts, highlighting the enduring significance of apples as a thoughtful expression of appreciation for educators.

The tradition of giving fruits as gifts on New Year's Day in the U.S. was influenced by Celtic traditions. Under the influence of Greek and Roman empires, Celtic cultures embraced the gifting of mistletoe, gilded nuts, and branches of sacred trees. This tradition spread throughout Europe and became part of American culture through European settlers. It was not influenced by Nordic folklore, Spanish colonial practices, or Renaissance art, but rather by the Celtic tradition of gifting fruits during the New Year celebrations.

The primary reason apples serve as a symbol for many things such as love, knowledge, bounty, and good health is the versatility of apple varieties. With types like candied apples, those for tarts and sweet dishes, and those for raw eating, apples offer diverse meanings. It is not due to cultural superstition, mythological significance, or religious rituals, but the adaptability and various uses of apples that contribute to their symbolism in conveying different positive sentiments.

In Celtic cultures, mistletoe, gilded nuts, and branches of sacred trees were significant during New Year's Day as elements of decoration and celebration. They were not specifically symbols of wealth and prosperity, traditional gifts for weddings, or items used for religious ceremonies. These items, influenced by the broader cultural practices of gifting during the New Year, became integral parts of the celebration, contributing to the diverse traditions associated with the arrival of the new year in Celtic cultures.