"
Hallmark holiday" is a disparaging term, used predominantly in the
United StatesThe United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, to describe a
holidayThe words holiday or vacation have related meanings in different English-speaking countries and continents, but usually refer to one of the following activities or events:...
that is perceived to exist primarily for commercial purposes, rather than to commemorate a traditionally significant religious or secular event. The name comes from
Hallmark CardsHallmark Cards is a privately owned American company based in Kansas City, Missouri. Founded in 1910 by Joyce C. Hall, Hallmark is the largest manufacturer of greeting cards in the United States. Approximately 50% of greeting cards sent in the United States every year are manufactured by Hallmark...
, a privately owned
AmericanThe United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
company based in
Kansas City, MissouriKansas City is the largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri. It encompasses in parts of Jackson, Clay, Cass, and Platte counties. It is one of two county seats of Jackson County, the other being Independence, just to the city's east...
, that benefits from such manufactured events through sales of greeting cards and other items. The company itself denies having any role in the creation of the holidays that bear this moniker.
"
Hallmark holiday" is a disparaging term, used predominantly in the
United StatesThe United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, to describe a
holidayThe words holiday or vacation have related meanings in different English-speaking countries and continents, but usually refer to one of the following activities or events:...
that is perceived to exist primarily for commercial purposes, rather than to commemorate a traditionally significant religious or secular event. The name comes from
Hallmark CardsHallmark Cards is a privately owned American company based in Kansas City, Missouri. Founded in 1910 by Joyce C. Hall, Hallmark is the largest manufacturer of greeting cards in the United States. Approximately 50% of greeting cards sent in the United States every year are manufactured by Hallmark...
, a privately owned
AmericanThe United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
company based in
Kansas City, MissouriKansas City is the largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri. It encompasses in parts of Jackson, Clay, Cass, and Platte counties. It is one of two county seats of Jackson County, the other being Independence, just to the city's east...
, that benefits from such manufactured events through sales of greeting cards and other items. The company itself denies having any role in the creation of the holidays that bear this moniker. Holidays that have been referred to as "Hallmark Holidays" include
Valentine's DayValentine's Day or Saint Valentine's Day is a holiday celebrated on February 14 by many people throughout the world. In the English-speaking countries, it is the traditional day on which lovers express their love for each other by sending Valentine's cards, presenting flowers, or offering...
,
Sweetest DaySweetest Day is an observance celebrated primarily in the Great Lakes region, and parts of the Northeast United States on the third Saturday in October. Once known as a day to spread love and cheer to the unfortunate, this popular holiday in the northern U.S. is now known as a day to show affection...
,
Mother's DayThe modern Mother's Day holiday was created by Anna Jarvis in Grafton, West Virginia, as a day to honor mothers and motherhood; especially within the context of families, and family relationships. It is now celebrated on various days in many parts of the world, some of which have a much older...
and Fathers' Day.
Gift givers often feel pressured to give a gift on those days as told by advertisers or society that one is expected. Men are heavily marketed to near Valentines Day by jewelry, chocolate, and other companies to give their products as gifts to the woman in their life. Companies like Vermont Teddy Bear and
PajamaGramPajamaGram is one of five companies that are under the masthead of the Vermont Teddy Bear Company.PajamaGram's business is similar to Vermont Teddy Bear in that the main gift is sent out in a decorative box with a personalized gift card. PajamaGram not only sells pajamas but also robes, slippers...
are noted for their ads on sports radio shows such as
ESPN RadioESPN Radio is an American sports radio network. It was launched on January 1, 1992 under the original banner of "SportsRadio ESPN." ESPN Radio is located at ESPN headquarters in Bristol, Connecticut...
's
Mike and Mike in the MorningMike and Mike in the Morning is an American sports-talk radio show hosted by Mike Golic and Mike Greenberg on ESPN Radio and simulcast in television, normally on ESPN2. If ESPN2 is broadcasting a live sporting event during the show, the show's simulcast will then end up on ESPNews...
. Their advertisements laud the ease in which their products can be bought and given to a girlfriend or wife with little effort on the man's part. As opposed to those holidays that are celebrated despite their "Hallmark" qualities, even more "manufactured" Hallmark holidays include Grandparents' Day,
Sweetest DaySweetest Day is an observance celebrated primarily in the Great Lakes region, and parts of the Northeast United States on the third Saturday in October. Once known as a day to spread love and cheer to the unfortunate, this popular holiday in the northern U.S. is now known as a day to show affection...
,
Boss's DayBoss's Day is a secular holiday celebrated on October 16 in the United States. It has traditionally been a day for employees to thank their boss for being kind and fair throughout the year...
, and
Administrative Professionals' DayAdministrative Professionals Day is an unofficial secular holiday observed in the United States on the Wednesday of the last full week of April to recognize the work of secretaries, administrative assistants, receptionists, and other administrative support professionals.-History:National...
(formerly Secretary's Day). These are frequently ignored by a sizable percentage of the public.
Related to "Hallmark Holiday" is the pop-culture term "Hallmark Moment." It can suggest either a serendipitous event or encounter, or a sappy emotional appeal, especially manipulation of emotion for financial gain.
In 2009,
David AxelrodDavid M. Axelrod is an American political consultant based in Chicago, Illinois. He is best known as a top advisor to President Barack Obama, first in Obama's 2004 campaign for the U.S. Senate in Illinois and later as chief strategist for Obama's 2008 presidential campaign...
, Senior Advisor to US President
Barack ObamaBarack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office, as well as the first president born in Hawaii...
played down the significance of the "
first 100 days of presidencyThe first 100 days of Barack Obama's presidency began with his inauguration on January 20, 2009 as the 44th President of the United States. Obama's 100th day in office was April 29. The first 100 days of a presidential term took on symbolic significance during Franklin D...
", which receives much mainstream media news attention for new US Presidents, as a "Hallmark holiday".