Gingerbread. Karo / pixabay.com / 2015 / CC0 1.0
The 5th of June is Gingerbread Day.
Gingerbread is perhaps more traditional at Christmas or during the winter, when the warming effects of the spicy ginger might be most appreciated. Holding a special day for it in June almost seems like an attempt to popularize it and create a market for it at other times of the year, but it hasn’t really caught on. Schools and clubs are still holding their own Gingerbread Days during the month of December.
Though in promoting the June date, fans are saying “It isn’t just for Christmas anymore…”, the truth, Virginia, is probably indeed that it is: it’s just too strongly associated in people’s minds with Christmas for that to change anytime soon.
Which admittedly is too bad: it really is a delicious, sophisticated-tasting cookie (aka biscuit) that should be enjoyed year round.
#GingerbreadDay
See also: Gingerbread, Gingerbread House Day
History
The earliest mention that CooksInfo is aware of for a Gingerbread Day in June dates from 2002:
“The news conference was held Wednesday [Ed: yesterday, 5th June] to coincide with National Gingerbread Day. ‘Why National Gingerbread Day is in June instead of December, I have no reason for that’, said Steve Humphrey.” — Jordon, Tracy. Museums add spice to holiday season. Allentown, Pennsylvania: The Morning Call. Thursday, 6 June 2002. Page B3, col. 1.
Language Notes
Gingerbread is an old word for ginger cookies or biscuits.