Roses are being unwrapped, reservations are being double-checked and heart-shaped candy boxes are disappearing fast. Valentine’s Day is tomorrow, and across Metro Detroit that means love — and maybe a little last-minute scrambling — is officially in the air. Whether it’s a downtown dinner, flowers delivered to the office or a simple handwritten card, Feb. 14 has become one of the most widely celebrated days of affection in the world.
But here in the Midwest, Valentine’s Day has a lesser-known cousin waiting in the wings: Sweetest Day. And while the two holidays share a sugary reputation, their origins — and even their perceived audiences — tell two very different stories.
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The beginning
Valentine’s Day traces its roots back centuries. The holiday is associated with one or more early Christian martyrs named Valentine, though historians debate the exact details. By the Middle Ages, February 14 became linked with romance in England and France, thanks in part to literary figures who connected the date with courtly love. Over time, handwritten notes evolved into printed greeting cards, and by the 19th century the holiday was firmly established as a celebration of romantic devotion. Today it’s observed worldwide and ranks among the largest retail holidays of the year.
Sweetest Day, by contrast, is a 20th-century Midwestern creation. The holiday began in Cleveland in 1921 when Herbert Birch Kingston, a candy company employee, organized the distribution of sweets and small gifts to orphans, shut-ins and others who were often overlooked. The original idea centered on kindness and community goodwill — though it also, naturally, promoted the candy industry. Over time, Sweetest Day evolved into a broader celebration of affection, especially in Ohio and Michigan.
What’s for who?
Here’s where things get especially interesting. Many people who celebrate Sweetest Day have heard — or joked about — the idea that Valentine’s Day is “for women” and Sweetest Day is “for men.” While there’s no formal rule or historical mandate behind that interpretation, it likely grew out of marketing patterns and social expectations over time.
Valentine’s Day advertising has traditionally emphasized men buying gifts for women — think diamond jewelry commercials, long-stem roses and romantic dinners. As Sweetest Day grew in popularity in the Midwest, some couples began informally treating it as a reciprocal occasion — a time when women might plan something special or give gifts to their male partners. Retail marketing and local promotion in the Great Lakes region may have reinforced that perception, even though Sweetest Day’s original purpose was far more charitable than romantic.
In reality, neither holiday was created with a gender assignment attached. Valentine’s Day developed over centuries as a celebration of romantic love, and Sweetest Day began as a community kindness campaign. The “his and hers” interpretation appears to be more cultural shorthand than historical fact — a way couples balanced expectations in a region that happens to celebrate both.
Sweet spot
Although different, in practice, they now look surprisingly similar. Both involve cards, chocolates and flowers. Both prompt people to express appreciation. Both give local businesses — from Midtown restaurants to neighborhood bakeries — a seasonal boost.
The biggest contrast may be tone. Valentine’s Day can come with high expectations and national spotlight pressure. Sweetest Day often feels more relaxed and regional — a second chance to celebrate love without the global hype.
But for now, Detroit’s focus is on tomorrow. Whether you’re going all-out or keeping it simple, Valentine’s Day remains a centuries-old reminder to show someone you care. And if you like the idea of balancing the scales? Sweetest Day will be back in October — ready to sweeten things up all over again.