National You're Welcome Giving Day

National You’re Welcome Giving Day: A Celebration of Gratitude and Humility

National You’re Welcome Giving Day is a unique holiday observed annually on the day after Thanksgiving. Its purpose is to remind people of the importance of responding graciously to expressions of gratitude, reinforcing kindness and humility in everyday interactions. This day complements Thanksgiving by teaching us to receive thanks with grace and humility.

Quick Facts

When is it?: The day after Thanksgiving, celebrated on Friday each year.
Tagged as: Gratitude, Humility, Manners.
What’s the hashtag?: #YoureWelcomeGivingDay
When was it founded?: 1977.
Who founded it?: Richard Ankli of Ann Arbor, Michigan.

History of National You’re Welcome Giving Day

The holiday was created in 1977 by Richard Ankli, who humorously aimed to extend the Thanksgiving weekend into a four-day celebration. Beyond its lighthearted origin, the day emphasizes the importance of responding to gratitude with sincerity. The phrase “You’re welcome” itself has roots in Old English (“wilcuma”), combining words for “pleasure” and “guest,” and became a standard response to “thank you” by the 17th century.

Timeline

1603: The phrase “Welcome” is mentioned in Shakespeare’s Othello.
1621: The first Thanksgiving meal is shared between European settlers and Native Americans.
1789: George Washington declares Thanksgiving a national holiday.
1900s: “You’re welcome” becomes a common response to “thank you.”
1977: Richard Ankli establishes You’re Welcome Giving Day.

Dates by Year (2025–2030)

Year	Month and Date	Day
2025	November 28	Friday
2026	November 27	Friday
2027	November 26	Friday
2028	November 24	Friday
2029	November 23	Friday
2030	November 29	Friday

Observed

National You’re Welcome Giving Day is observed by practicing good manners and acknowledging gratitude with sincerity. Whether it’s a simple “You’re welcome,” a smile, or a hug, this day encourages people to reflect on their ability to give and receive thanks with humility.

Fun Facts About National You’re Welcome Giving Day

The phrase “You’re welcome” originated from Old English and was popularized as a polite response in Shakespeare’s time.
Richard Ankli created this holiday not only for its meaningful message but also to cleverly extend the Thanksgiving weekend.
Saying “You’re welcome” can be substituted with phrases like “My pleasure” or “No problem,” depending on cultural norms.

Quiz

Who founded National You’re Welcome Giving Day?
When is it celebrated each year?
What phrase does this holiday encourage people to say?

(Answers: 1. Richard Ankli; 2. The day after Thanksgiving; 3. “You’re welcome”)

FAQs

Why is this holiday important?
It reminds us to pair gratitude with humility and good manners.
Can I celebrate it outside the U.S.?
Absolutely! Gratitude and humility are universal values.