October is known by college students for two things: Halloween and midterms. Spooky season (accurately named for both aforementioned reasons) is fleeting, but holidays are forever. Need a break from the candy corn? Try a chocolate covered pretzel on October 7th. Is studying making you rip your hair out? Knit a hat on October 12th! These might not all be official government holidays but they are all deserving of a party. Take a break this October and find a way to celebrate every day!
October 1st. National Black Dog Day
Looking to adopt? Consider a darker colored dog, which are less likely to be adopted. Black dogs may look like a featureless dark blob in pictures, but their personalities are just as sweet and fun as a yellow lab.
Photo by Summer Harvey
October 2nd. National Custodial Worker’s Recognition Day
In case you haven’t realized it yet, UVA would literally not function without our amazing custodial staff. While you should already be saying hello when you see them (as I said, UVA would literally not function without them), go out of your way today to thank a custodial worker for all of their hard work that often goes unappreciated.
October 3rd. National Boyfriend Day
Did you know boyfriends get their own day? I didn’t. While it’s mostly just an excuse to post a cute couple picture on Instagram with the #nationalboyfriendday hashtag, it’s also nice to go out of your way to tell your boyfriend what he means to you. Write him a sweet note, make cookies, or watch his favorite movie to show him a little extra love.
October 4th. National Vodka Day
National Vodka Day 2019 perfectly falls on a Friday, so grab your favorite mixer and go to town! Feeling fancier? Have a vodka-based cocktail, like a Cosmopolitan or an Old Glory. Town and Country Magazine has a great list of the “22 Best Vodka Cocktails That Aren’t a Vodka Tonic” that you should try!
Photo by Dmitry Dreyer on Unsplash
October 5th. National Apple Betty Day
I had to look up what an Apple Betty is, but Wikipedia says that it’s a variation on the Brown Betty, “a traditional American dessert made from fruit (usually apple, but also berries or pears) and sweetened crumbs.” It sounds like a cobbler to me, but I’m not Mary Berry and thus do not have an expert opinion. Cobbler or not, an Apple Betty seems delicious. Head out to Carter Mountain to pick only the best apples for your Betty and bake the perfect fall treat with this great recipe from Tyler Florence on Food Network!
Photo by Dilyara Garifullina on Unsplash
October 6th. National Noodle Day
National Noodle Day is basically the Christmas of October, which also happens to be National Pasta Month! The only acceptable way to celebrate National Noodle Day is with pyrotechnics, streamers, and lots of string shaped carbohydrates. Whether you make your own pesto or opt for Noodles in a Cup, be safe this National Noodle Day and consume responsibly (i.e. eat as many noodles as physically possible).
Photo by Brooke Lark on Unsplash
October 7th. National Chocolate Covered Pretzel Day
If you were trying to start eating healthily this month, you might want to just hold off until January like the rest of us. That’s not to say that chocolate covered pretzels are inherently unhealthy, but October 7th is not the day to eat them in moderation. Want to make them yourself? Try this easy recipe from Don’t Waste the Crumbs!
Photo by Jasmine Waheed on Unsplash
October 8th. American Touch Tag Day
Yes, the game of Tag has its own day. I’ve disliked the game from a young age, due to my hatred of running, but I might pick it up just for a day for the sake of celebration. According to the British Library, the game of Tag goes back to at least the early 17th century, which means we’ve been isolating children as “it” and making them chase their friends for hundreds of years. If you’re wondering, Tag does not stand for “touch and go,” contrary to what Twitter rumors may say. The expert (i.e. Merriam-Webster’s iconic Twitter account) has spoken and tag just means… tag.
Photo from Merriam-Webster on Twitter
October 9th. National Stop Bullying Day (2nd Wednesday of October)
This holiday is pretty self-explanatory… stop bullying. It’s really not that hard to not be a jerk. In all seriousness, bullying affects thousands of children and puts them at 2 to 9 times the risk of suicide. Want to help during Bullying Prevention Month? Donate to STOMP Out Bullying and help change school cultures of bullying.
October 10th. National Handbag Day
Obviously, this is the most important day on this list even though I already implied that for Noodle Day. Purses can make an outfit and take them from nice to NYFW. I’ve been seeing lots of purse-outfit color coordination this semester and I am here for it. If you say you’re not a purse girl, I think you just haven’t found the right purse (or maybe you just actually don’t like purses).
Photo by Tamara Bellis on Unsplash
October 11th. International Day of the Girl Child, and National Coming Out Day
Today is so exciting, it gets two holidays! International Day of the Girl Child was created by the United Nations in 2011 to bring awareness to the challenges and adversity that young girls face worldwide. While you’re advocating for girls, remember to stand with the LGBTQ+ community on National Coming Out Day! October 11th was chosen for this holiday to commemorate the 1987 March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights. This march was of particular importance during the AIDS epidemic and general homophobia of the 1980s and continued the centuries-long momentum of the LGBTQ+ movements.
Photo by Miguel Bruna on Unsplash
October 12th. I Love Yarn Day (Second Saturday in October)
ICYMI: I love yarn. I started knitting about 2 years ago and it’s a great cold-weather past time. Need a hat? Hit me up this winter break. I’ve yet to find Yarn Day specific coupons, but I’ll update ASAP if I do. In the meantime, watch some knitting youtube videos and hop on the yarn train!
Photo by Paul Hanaoka on Unsplash
October 13th. National No Bra Day
I know a lot of you are cheering right now at this holiday, but my heavy chest-sacks aren’t too happy about it. Nevertheless, I’ll do it for y’all, and for feminism. Whip off your bras at midnight and keep them off for a full 24 hours or longer! Burn them while you’re at it! (Actually, don’t, those are expensive as HECK.)
Photo by Pablo Heimplatz on Unsplash
October 14th. Be Bald and Be Free Day
Shave your head… you won’t.
Photo by Frank Busch on Unsplash
October 15th. National Cheese Curd Day
Wisconsinites, this one’s for you. I’m not actually sure how big our readership is in Wisconsin, but the 15th is the day for my fellow cheese lovers to rise up. Ignoring the fact that I’m lactose intolerant, I plan to GORGE on cheese on the 15th and pretend that I don’t do the same thing every other day of the month.
October 16th. Hagfish Day
I can’t believe general society has dedicated a day all for me. The Norwegian University of Science and Technology calls the black hagfish “revolting” but useful. I love that for her! (Her being the hagfish, of course.)
Photo from Wikipedia
October 17th. Black Poetry Day
This date was chosen to commemorate the birthday of Jupiter Hammon, the first published Black poet in the United States. This October, read classics like Langston Hughes and Phillis Wheatly, poetry icons such as Audre Lorde and Maya Angelou, or check out UVA’s very own Rita Dove, United States Poet Laureate. I’m already imagining curling up in the McGregor room with a cozy sweater and an anthology.
Photo by Álvaro Serrano on Unsplash
October 18th. National Chocolate Cupcake Day
Like I said, maybe hold off on the diet until January and bake up a storm.
Photo by Mike Meeks on Unsplash
October 19th. National Kentucky Day
Sure, we’re not in Kentucky, but we’re next to Kentucky, so I think we deserve to celebrate. If you cant make the 6-hour drive, throw a Kentucky themed party! Grab any local horses you can find, take shots of whiskey, drink Mint Juleps, and wear big hats.
Photo by John Fornander on Unsplash
October 20th. National Brandied Fruit Day
You had me at brandy. This makes me feel like I’m actually eating healthily… I mean, it’s fruit, right?
[insert peaches picture]
Photo by A.R.T.Paola on Unsplash
October 21st. National Pumpkin Cheesecake Day
FINALLY. A PUMPKIN THEMED DAY. This is what we DESERVE.
Photo by Aliona Gumeniuk on Unsplash
October 22nd. National Make a Dog’s Day
First of all, every day is Make a Dog’s Day in my book. Secondly, if you’ve got a dog, GO ALL OUT TODAY. Long walk? Do it. Tug of war? Check. Snuggles and a great nap? Put it on the list! I’m already obsessed with my dog, but Rosie is about to be PAMPERED on the 22nd. Best of all, she won’t even realize what day it is… because she’s a dog.
Photo by Baptist Standaert on Unsplash
October 23rd. National Mole Day
Real nerds know what’s up, it’s Mole Day! A mole, or Avogadro’s number, is a base SI (Système international) unit for a number of particles, 6.02 x 10^23. Thus, October 23rd. Chemistry lectures worldwide will be forced to look at mole-themed memes sent by their professor and TAs.
Photo by Raphaël Biscaldi on Unsplash
October 24th. National Food Day
Diet? I don’t know her. I like how this holiday is completely indiscriminate of types of food; all foods are fair game. Get ready to salivate, to gorge, to feast, to inhale, to feed in a frenzy with no utensils and just your bare hands. Don’t worry, I’m pretty sure if you drink lots of water afterward that it completely cleanses your system.
Photo by Gor Davtyan on Unsplash
October 25th. Chucky, the Notorious Killer Doll Day
IDK what this is and IDK why it exists but I refuse to research it. Watch the movie if you so please, but miss me with that.
Photo by Jose Francisco Morales on Unsplash
October 26th. National Pumpkin Day
HECK YEAH, this is IT. Halloween and Thanksgiving both came early, giving us the perfect day to carve, de-seed, and bake pumpkins. I’m all about this. Make sure to try as many pumpkin-spice flavored foods/candles/Chapsticks as possible.
Photo by Marius Ciocirlan on Unsplash
October 27th. National Black Cat Day
Like black dog day, but spookier. Find your familar and be as witchy as possible.
Photo by Nathan Riley on Unsplash
October 28th. National Chocolate Day
If National Food Day (and all of the other days) weren’t enough, make sure to add chocolate to the list. It’s better to binge on chocolate before Halloween to practice for the post-Halloween candy sales.
Photo by amirali mirhashemian on Unsplash
October 29th. National Oatmeal Day
At this point, I’m a little full. I’m bloated. I’m over it. This is at least healthier, though there’s always an opportunity for oatmeal cookies.
Photo by Alexandru Acea on Unsplash
October 30th. National Candy Corn Day
Hot take: candy corn is bad. It’s just waxy sugar that makes your stomach hurt after 3 corns. There’s still an opportunity for celebration. Get crafty and make these cute candy corn flowers!
Photo from Glued to My Crafts Blog
October 31st. HALLOWEEN
IT’S HALLOWEEN B*TCHES. DRESS LIKE A SEXY CAT OR ELEVEN FROM STRANGER THINGS! EAT CANDY AND PARTY!!