Kiss Day

Express affection for the one you love by giving them a kiss! Whether it’s an extra little peck on the cheek for a close friend, or a seriously romantic smooch for that life partner, Kiss Day is here to encourage and remind everyone that a kiss is a great way to make the world a better place.

Show someone how much they are loved and cared for by celebrating Kiss Day!

History of Kiss Day

Kissing seems to have a long history that dates back at least some thousands of years. The earliest reference to behavior that is at least something like kissing comes from Sanskrit scriptures called the Vedas, which dates back to at least 1500 BC. Ancient poetry also contains references to kissing,

As part of the celebration of the week prior to the most romantic day of the year, which is Valentine’s Day, Kiss Day was established to remind lovers that any day is a good day to offer up a kiss! Other days that fall in the week of Valentine’s Day include Chocolate Day, Rose Day and others.

Make it an entire week of romance and joy when including Kiss Day as part of this week’s celebration of love!

How to Celebrate Kiss Day

While scientists remain unsure about whether kissing is an instinctual or learned behavior, some people might need some special pointers on how to go about celebrating Kiss Day. Perhaps try out some of these ideas in honor of the day:

Kiss Someone You Love

Certainly this isn’t the day to go up to random strangers on the street and kiss them unawares! That could cause all kinds of trouble. But it absolutely is a day to give a kiss to those in the inner circle whom you love and, presumably, who love you back. So, grab that husband or wife, boyfriend or girlfriend, son or daughter, grandma or grandpa and give them a big smooch on the lips, cheeks or forehead.

Pass Out Hershey’s Kisses for Kiss Day

In a day and age when it’s not exactly cool to just kiss people willy-nilly, it might be fun to celebrate Kiss Day by passing out candy kisses, a.k.a. Hershey’s Chocolate Kisses. These delightful little chocolates come in large bags so they’re fun to pass out to friends, neighbors, coworkers and school buddies!

When it was invented all the way back in 1907, the Hershey’s kiss came in just one variety, which was milk chocolate. But modern times bring modern creations and now these little chocolate kisses can be found in a myriad of flavors. These include almond kisses, mint truffle kisses, candy cane kisses, cookie ‘n cream, and a variety of others. So choose a favorite kind of kiss – or several! – and enjoy passing them out in celebration of Kiss Day.

Read (or Memorize!) a Poem about Kissing

Kiss Day is, of course, a great time to practice the art of kissing. But far beyond a simple kiss is the art of romance that acts as a foundation for kissing. Poetry, as part of the way that humans express their feelings in literature form, might offer a lovely activity for spending time on this venerable day!

Perhaps read through some kiss poems and memorize one to share with the one you love, or just find one that is well-liked and read it to them. Get started with some of these ideas for poems with lines about a kiss:

• Astrophil and Stella Sonnet 79 by Sir Philip Sidney. ‘Sweet kiss, thy sweets I fain would sweetly indite, / Which even of sweetness sweetest sweet’ner art: / Pleasing’st consort, where each sense holds a part; / Which, coupling doves, guides Venus’ chariot right’.
• Ae Fond Kiss by Robert Burns. ‘Ae fond kiss, and then we sever; / Ae fareweel, alas, forever! / Deep in heart-wrung tears I’ll pledge thee, / Warring sighs and groans I’ll wage thee!’
• The Kiss by Robert Graves. ‘Then the lips that you have kissed / Turn to frost and fire / And a white-steaming mist / Obscures desire: So back to their birth / Fade water, air, earth / And the First Power moves / Over void and dearth’
• Rondeau by Leigh Hunt. Jenny kissed me when we met / Jumping from the chair she sat in; / Time, you thief, who love to get / Sweets into your list, put that in: / Say I’m weary, say I’m sad / Say that health and wealth have missed me / Say I’m growing old, but add / Jenny kissed me.

Send a Kiss Across the Miles

For those who don’t live close enough to give them an actual kiss in real life, never fear, it’s possible to send kisses and love across the miles. Those who get started a little early might want to send a “kiss” via letter, card or postcard through snail mail. For decades people have been sealing their letters with a kiss.

Women have especially found it enjoyable to make their kisses seen by donning a nice layer of bright red lipstick and giving that envelope a big smooch so everyone knows the letter comes with a kiss. For good measure, go ahead and give that letter a nice dusting of perfume as well, just for fun!

For those who aren’t quite ahead of the game, it’s certainly acceptable to celebrate Kiss Day by sending a virtual kiss. Call a loved one and make some smooching, kiss-blowing noises. Or send them a text or email using those little lips and kiss emojis. Don’t forget to tell them Happy Kiss Day!

Watch a Romantic Movie for Kiss Day

Enjoy the fun of seeing a story play out that includes romance and love. Try out one of these movies with kiss in the title:

• The Kissing Bandit (1948) starring Frank Sinatra.
• Kiss Me, Kate (1953) featuring Ann Miller and Howard Keel.
• It Started with a Kiss (1959) starring Debbie Reynolds.
• Kiss Me Goodbye (1982) with Sally Field and Jeff Bridges.