Lobbying from the National Greeting Card Consortium for an “Ex Day” finally paid off on Thursday, as President Obama approved the new federal holiday. The second Sunday in January each year will now be the official day to celebrate past relationships.
Because it will be celebrated on a Sunday, government workers will not receive pay for the day. People who normally work on Sundays will be encouraged to take the time to remember past relationships and may choose to do something special..
Ex Day, 2nd Sunday in January
According to Amy Strapler, head of the the National Greeting Card Consortium, “the purpose of this day is to celebrate past relationships with someone that you may still care about, but are no longer with.” She also said that she hopes it will allow closure in some relationships and the opportunity to rekindle others.
Strapler advised that the holiday may also be used to break up with a current relationship, and that greeting cards will be produced by national vendors to cover a variety of circumstances. “We don’t yet know the scope of possibilities as this is a new holiday,” Strapler stated.
The 2nd Sunday in January was picked because many couples break up after the end of the year, and this is a period when a lot of people are thinking about the past and the future. It is also more than a month before Valentine’s Day, so people have over a month to begin new relationships in order to celebrate the next holiday..
There was some criticism that the push for the new holiday had commercial motivations, but in response, Strapler stated, “when Grandparents Day was introduced in 1978, people made the same false claims. Change takes time to get used to, but after awhile people will recognize the value and appreciate the opportunity to express themselves.”
The holiday is expected to generate approximately $2.4 billion annually in greeting card and associated gift sales.
14 comments
Brandon
June 8, 2012 at 11:04 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Just another way to make money off us.
Ballet Queen
June 8, 2012 at 1:25 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I heard about this on CNN this morning and I think it’s a bad idea. Ex’s are ex’s for a reason and you’re just asking for trouble by opening old wounds.
If it’s dead let it rest.
Patty Duke
June 8, 2012 at 2:34 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I think it’s sweet. Just because your broken doesn’t mean you cant still be friends. Also a good opporunity to break up if you have to! lol
RON
June 8, 2012 at 3:12 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Great idea. I am looking forward to January. My best hook ups have always been with my ex’s.
Now that we have an official day…it makes it even better.
Pappa Soul
June 8, 2012 at 4:54 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I don’t think this is a good idea.
Ralph Santerno
June 10, 2012 at 11:08 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
This is a goodidea for reconncetion with old friends. I like it.
Andrea Modenso
June 10, 2012 at 4:24 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
This is crazy. Obama is encouraging STALKING! Who thinks of these things?
Are there not enough important issues that we have to waste time on a new bogus holiday?
Unbelievable!!!!
Ex is an Ex.
Jason
June 12, 2012 at 12:20 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I’m not getting my ex anything ever again. Not anyting she’d want anyway, lol.
team colors
June 14, 2012 at 3:46 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
What’s next “dog day?” Another capitalistic scam.
Farah
June 15, 2012 at 6:52 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
really impressed by Obama’s stupidity. everything is very dumb these days.
Diane
June 17, 2012 at 11:07 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
wanted to thank you for this great read but I am not going to get my ex a card!
XTYNA XTYNA
June 20, 2012 at 5:06 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
When did they come out with thnx an ex day
Sarah Para
June 21, 2012 at 12:08 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
June 8th.
Compare
July 18, 2012 at 11:51 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
So what are you to do? Celebrate it or not?