I happen to be one of those people who has never gotten the joke about fruitcakes at the holidays. I tend to think literally and it has always seemed to me that if they truly were that awful, why in the world would people continue to give them as gifts? The research into this “holiday” of National Fruitcake Toss Day – held every January 3rd and sometimes on the first Saturday of January – has answered the question for the most part.
People seem to agree that fruitcakes are generally very heavy, way too sweet and the century’s biggest holiday joke, and yet they live on each holiday season. So, somewhere along the line after you’ve used your gift of fruitcake to prop open windows and doors, or even as a pillow with all the family over for the holidays, the time has come to dispose of this multipurpose gift.
So What Is National Fruitcake Toss Day?
Fruitcake Toss Day originated in Manitou Springs, Colorado, half out of necessity, and half out of a great reason to get a start on the process of putting households back in order after the holiday season.
The earliest known recipe for fruitcake hails back to ancient Rome (maybe that’s why Rome burned?), and soon thereafter the various recipes became very popular all over Europe. It seemed to become a source of pride to see who had the sweetest, most syrupy version that could be created, but sadly this began the fruitcake’s downward spiral into its current status as an international joke. They became so heavy, hyper-sweet, and visually unappealing that they seemed to seal their own fates as punchlines for all eternity.
Manitou Springs has hosted a National Fruitcake Toss Day since 1995. Fruitcakes are disposed in a variety of creative ways including cannons (what could go wrong there?), catapults and discus-like challenges.
So I guess our challenge to all of you would be to try establishing your community’s very own Fruitcake Toss Day. Let’s face it, everyone goes into a bit of a malaise right after the holidays, so what better way to extend the season than a fun, all-inclusive event such as this?
How about fruitcake hockey, fruitcake bowling, or a rousing game of pass-the-fruitcake-brigade? The possibilities are limitless, so if you decide to take on this challenge, we would love to hear back from you next January about your ideas. Better yet, please support it with some pictures. Have fun!
