National Wrap Day

National Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day is a quirky holiday celebrated on the last Monday of January each year. It’s a day dedicated to honoring the joy and satisfaction that comes from popping those addictive air-filled bubbles in bubble wrap.

Quick Facts

When is it?: Last Monday of January
Tagged as: Fun holiday, Packaging appreciation
What’s the hashtag?: #BubbleWrapAppreciationDay
When was it founded?: 2001
Who founded it?: Spirit 95 radio station in Bloomington, Indiana

History of National Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day

Bubble Wrap was invented in 1957 by engineers Alfred Fielding and Marc Chavannes. Originally intended as textured wallpaper, it found its true calling as a protective packaging material. The idea for Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day came about in 2001 when a radio station in Bloomington, Indiana, received a shipment wrapped in bubble wrap. The sound of popping bubbles on air delighted listeners, inspiring the creation of this unique holiday.

Timeline

1957: Bubble Wrap invented by Fielding and Chavannes
1960: Sealed Air Corporation founded to market Bubble Wrap
1961: IBM uses Bubble Wrap to protect computer shipments
2001: First Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day celebrated
2015: Sealed Air launches “iBubble Wrap,” a version that doesn’t pop

Dates by Next Year

Year	Month	Date	Day
2025	January	27	Monday
2026	January	26	Monday
2027	January	25	Monday
2028	January	31	Monday
2029	January	29	Monday
2030	January	28	Monday

Observed

National Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day is celebrated worldwide, with people engaging in bubble-popping contests, creating bubble wrap art, and even fashioning bubble wrap outfits. Some offices organize bubble wrap popping sessions as a stress-relief activity, while schools might incorporate bubble wrap into fun science experiments or art projects.

Fun Facts About Bubble Wrap

Bubble Wrap was originally marketed as wallpaper.
The term “Bubble Wrap” is actually a registered trademark.
An 815-pound pumpkin survived a 35-foot fall onto Bubble Wrap.
Popping Bubble Wrap for one minute can relieve as much stress as a 33-minute massage.
There’s a virtual Bubble Wrap popping app for those who can’t get enough.

Quiz

What was Bubble Wrap originally intended to be?
In which year was the first Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day celebrated?
What company owns the trademark for “Bubble Wrap”?

(Answers: 1. Wallpaper, 2. 2001, 3. Sealed Air Corporation)

FAQs

Q: Why do people enjoy popping Bubble Wrap?
A: The satisfying pop provides a sensory experience that can be calming and stress-relieving.

Q: Is Bubble Wrap recyclable?
A: While it’s technically recyclable, many recycling facilities don’t accept it. Check with your local recycling center.

Q: What are some alternative uses for Bubble Wrap?
A: It can be used for insulation, as a non-slip rug pad, or in gardening to protect plants from frost.