Singles Day
Single's Day, celebrated every year on November 11 is all about celebrating the awesomeness of being single. This day is not about flowers or candlelit dinners but all about treating yourself to some well-deserved self-care and fun.
Whether it is a spa session or a binge-watching marathon of your favorite series with a delicious solo dinner or finally splurging on that designer bag you have been eyeing for a while.
Also known as the bare sticks holiday or 11/11 and Bachelor's Day, it has become the largest shopping holiday of the year across the globe.
Singles' Day should not be confused with other holidays of a similar theme, such as National Singles' Day that’s celebrated on the last Saturday of September, and Singles Awareness Day which takes place on February 15.
Origin of Singles' Day
Singles' Day originated at Nanjing University in 1993 among a group of four male students who were living in the Mingcaowuzhu dormitory.
They were so tired and desperately wanted to escape the monotony of single life desperately. This led them to choose November 11 (11/11) as a celebration of their status with four ones representing the four singles.
Soon this tiny dormitory event quickly gained traction and spread to other universities in Nanjing throughout the 1990s. Initially, this was perceived as an anti-Valentine's day celebrations with the intention to promote solidarity and pride among singles.
The significance of this date lies in its representation of single hood, with “11/11” symbolizing four individual sticks standing side by side. This imagery inspired the holiday’s nicknames, such as “bare sticks holiday” and “single sticks holiday.”
With the rise of social media, Singles' Day transcended university campuses, transforming into a nationwide celebration in contemporary Chinese culture. Today, it is not only a day for individuals to celebrate their independence but also a significant shopping event, featuring sales and promotions that attract millions of people around the globe.
The Evolution of Singles' Day Into The Largest Shopping Holiday
The celebratory and indulgent spirit of Singles' Day gained traction as people embraced the holiday as an opportunity to treat themselves to fine dining, new clothes, and other luxurious purchases they might not typically make.
Daniel Zhang, then CEO of Alibaba, was among the first to recognize the commercial potential of Singles' Day by launching a sale in 2009.
Over the years, the trend spread globally, with various retailers, including fashion brand Uniqlo, joining the movement by offering 24-hour flash sales starting at midnight on November 11.
In the United States, approximately a quarter of retailers have participated in Singles' Day USA sales. As a result, Singles' Day has grown to become the largest online shopping day of the year, generating staggering sales that surpass both Black Friday and Cyber Monday combined.
Some may draw parallels between Singles' Day and Amazon's Prime Day, which was similarly designed to boost online sales with its own 24-hour flash promotions.
The surge in Singles' Day sales in 2020 can be attributed to the coronavirus pandemic, which led more consumers to shop online from home instead of visiting physical stores.
While many perceive Valentine's Day as a commercial holiday aimed at encouraging spending, Singles' Day has fully embraced its commercial nature without any pretense.
Nevertheless, the essence of celebrating Singles' Day remains unchanged for many: it's about honoring our friends, family, and, most importantly, ourselves, regardless of our relationship status.
Observing Singles' Day
To celebrate Singles' Day, you can begin your day with a glorious breakfast feast like a king, be it a pancake pile with toppings or a smoothie bowl.
You can also throw on your favorite outfit and host a “I, me, myself” day at home with spa, face masks, bubble bath, dress up with your regular playlist blasting in the background.
Gather your single homies for a sleepover or a game night filled with laughter, be it board games, movie marathon or video games that show you how wonderful being single is.
If you are feeling adventurous, you can treat yourself to a mini solo getaway or try a new hobby like painting or cooking that fancy dish you’ve been eyeing on YouTube.
Don’t forget to end the day with a dance party in your living room, celebrating the joy of being fabulously single and ready to mingle (or just chill). Raise a glass to yourself because you are amazing, and this day is all about celebrating YOU!
