International Kissing Day
Whether it’s a peck on the cheek for a good friend or a big, romantic smooch for your significant other, shower your loved ones in kisses on Kissing Day.
Celebrate affection and wellness on International Kissing Day by positioning products that enhance romance, oral care, and emotional connection.
- Kissing burns 6.4 calories per minute—promote fitness/wellness angles alongside romantic products
- Mental health tie-in: position lip balm, mouthwash, or dating apps as tools for meaningful connection
- Host 'kissing technique' or 'date night' events/webinars for beauty, hospitality, or dating brands
- User-generated content campaign: share your kiss stories (with consent messaging front-and-center)
International Kissing Day was established in 2006 to focus on the kissing that takes place between lovers, and to celebrate the place it holds in our society. One of the most surprising things about this holiday is the research that revealed that 5% of people over the age of 45 are locking lips at least 31 times a week! Who would have thought that old fires burn so hot?
Events are organized all over to celebrate International Kissing Day, with events for those who have lovers, and those who are looking for them. Kiss-in’s let you test drive a potential date’s lips before you ever hook up with them for an actual date, and kissing classes help you learn how to become an amazing kisser.
But romantic kissing isn’t the only place that kissing happens in our culture and society. Among high society, it’s not at all unusual to greet with a kiss on each cheek, a tradition that heralds back to the Old World. Young children frequently get kisses from their loving parents, though it’s something that tends to fade as children get older.
Overall, kissing has played an important role in social bonding since time out of mind, and International Kissing Day celebrates them all!
Show Some Affection
The art of locking lips has values that are easy to miss in a rush to rack up as many kisses as possible. A kiss isn’t only romantic – it’s a sign of affection that reminds people that you care. 40% of people say that their television screen is their main companion, so a kiss is more necessary than ever.
Remember Health Benefits of Kissing
Let’s not forget about the health advantages that come from this day. Mental health is a big deal, but so is physical wellbeing. Weirdly, and wonderfully, kissing can burn up to 6.4 calories per minute. It certainly beats peacocking at the gym! Last but not least, it transcends cultural norms. Everybody loves a kiss, regardless of the country or customs. Who knows? You may meet a friend for life on international Kissing Day.
Learn The Dos & Don’ts of Kissing
Of course, your technique has to be on point. Nobody is going to make a lasting friendship with too much tongue. Plus, there are boundaries that everybody has to respect. Although it’s an excellent time of year, it’s a potentially awkward one, too. Ask for consent: you can’t walk up to someone and plant a smacker on their lips without asking first. Okay, you love them and they love you, but it’s still polite to make sure they’re happy! Switch up your kissing game: the wife or hubby will get a “different” type of kiss than your Mom or Dad… Swapping saliva with a partner is a piece of cake, but family members and friends are harder. As a rule, a French-style kiss (not that one!) always works. For those who aren’t familiar with the fine art of a Francais greeting, two to four pecks on the cheek is all it takes to spread the love. Try different kisses: a traditional kiss is all you’ve ever needed, until now. When a standard smooch won’t do, it’s important to reach into your bag and tricks and pull out something appropriate. On International Kissing Day, that means moving away from the lips and opting for a ‘forehead kiss’ instead. Yes, it’s a real thing, and no, it’s not reserved for parents and grandparents!
Learn How Different People Celebrate
International Kissing Day has become such an event that different countries have novel-yet-typical methods when the kissing holiday rolls around. The French, for instance, disregard their usual greeting and blow air kisses instead. The Greeks and Italians dispense with pleasantries altogether. Men and women straight up kiss on the lips, so don’t be offended if you are accosted in Rome or Athens. It’s cultural! However, the Pacific Islanders have the cutest custom – Eskimo kisses. In traditional Inuit style, people rub their noses together while breathing in. Hygiene-wise, it’s no bueno, but romance-wise, it can’t be beaten. How will you celebrate this year?