Today is World Smile Day!

Have you ever wondered how, where and by who the smiley face symbol was created? A gentleman called Harvey Ball, a commercial artist from Worcester, Massachusetts came up with the symbol in 1963. It’s not that long ago really if you think about it- only 52 years!

The image Ball created then went on to become the most recognised symbol of cheer and good will on the planet. It also did great things for the sticker world, our smiley face stickers are some of our most popular designs!

Anyway, back to the story, as the years passed Harvey Ball became concerned about the over-commercialization of his symbol and how its original meaning and intent had become lost. That’s where his idea for World Smile Day came about. For one day a year we should devote ourselves to kinds acts and smiles throughout the world. Harvey Ball believed the smiley face knows no politics, no geography and no religion and therefore, for one day a year, neither should we.  Therefore the first Friday in October every year is now World Smile Day! The first was held in 1999 and its been happening all over the world ever since.

We can all be ambassadors

“Do an act of kindness. Help one person smile!”.

This years theme centres around the idea that anyone and everyone can spread the good word about world smile day. Create as many smiles as you can, in all walks of life and be a good ambassador of the real meaning of the smiley face symbol by spreading smiles in anyway you can think of.

What can you do? 

There are SO many ways to make someone smile!  How about picking 5 people to do something nice for today? You could buy them their favourite sweet treat or send them something to brighten their day. You don’t need to hold an event to share smiles, here are some simple things you can do today:

•  Release a few balloons full of cheerful and well meaning messages for people nearby to find. You can add quotes, well wishes and compliments to brighten someone’s day.
•  Smiley treasure hunt. Stick, hide, bury and send out a search party for smiley faces in your school or home. See who can find the most and reward them with a smiley prize fit for a king or queen.
•  Do some good deeds. Simple things can create some of the best reactions. Make a cup of tea for someone that looks like they need it, tidy up an area someone else hasn’t had time to or simply place an inspirational quote on a fellow teachers desk.
•  Send smiley cards/pictures/stickers around your school and encourage everyone to share a smile!
• Bring in (and ask pupils too if possible) a whole host of old newspapers and magazines. With your class, cut out as many smiley faces as possible and create a smile wall on one of your notice boards.
• Why not bring up dental care into the mix? An essential for a great, confident smile and a great related topic to cover on World Smile Day.
• Re-purpose tin cans with funny smiley faces. These can make great gifts and stationary holders and are great fun to make.

Stickers (as pictured): Mini Expression Stickers, Mini Smile Stickers, Mini Smiley Multi Star Stickers, Gold Smiley Faces, Mini Marking Faces, Smiley Star Squares, Mini Heart Stickers, Smiley Squares, Mini Green Smiley Face

Reasons to smile

Did you know smiling actually has a number of health benefits as well being the most globally recognised facial gesture? Read on to find out more.

• Forcing yourself to smile when your in a bad mood can actually boost your spirits.
• We still smile at work (especially teachers). You might not think it but whilst we smile less on average than we do at home, 28% of people still smile over 20 times a day at work.
• Smiles relieve stress. Thank you endorphins!
• On average women smile more then men.
• 62 is the average number of times a woman smiles per day.
• 8 is the average number of times a man smiles per day.
• There are 19 different types of smile ranging from polite and sociable to sincere smiles.
• A smile makes you sound friendly when you talk over the phone.

Send us your attempts at sharing a smile with us @SchoolStickers, we can’t wait to see what you get up to!