Before you celebrate the Fourth of July, celebrate the First of July — it’s International Joke Day! This holiday hasn’t been around very long (it was started by Wayne Reinagel in 1994 to promote his joke books). It’s also not very official (it shows up on social media holiday calendars, but it’s not a state or federal holiday). And unfortunately, there are no fireworks (yet!). But that doesn’t mean it’s not worth celebrating.
After all, laughter has been shown to be incredibly good for us. Research indicates that a good laugh can boost the immune system, reduce stress, and even decrease how intensely people feel physical pain. Add in the fact that laughter is great for bonding with others and building stronger relationships, and it’s pretty clear that the old cliché is true — laughter really is the best medicine.
Here’s how you can get an extra dose of this side-effect-free “wonder drug” on International Joke Day.
Send an International Joke Day Greeting
This is a fun and easy way to kick off your new favorite holiday. Simply send a joke to a few friends. Write your own, or choose one of these options to borrow a good joke: Google “funny jokes” and find a humor site with a perfect punch line, choose a free eCard that reflects your sense of humor, or take your celebration to the next level by sending an old-fashioned funny greeting card to your nearest and dearest.
Share a Joke on Social Media
To maximize the number of people you reach with your International Joke Day humor, skip the email and the snail-mail and take your joke straight to social media. It’s the quickest way to share a laugh with all your friends. Search for a meme that matches your style and share it — or ramp up your celebration by scheduling several funny posts throughout the day.
Use Your Novelty Items
International Joke Day is the perfect opportunity to bust out a lifetime’s worth of gag gifts for a fresh new laugh. Remember the mug that you got as a joke back in the day — the one with the funny message? Today is the day to use it with pride. You can also set up a “funny gift swap” with your friends to get a brand-new-to-you joke item that’ll brighten your day.
Wear Your Humor on Your Sleeve
When you’re working out today, you can make the moment a little more humorous with a funny t-shirt. Find one that’s already been created, or design your own to share the laughs. If you’d rather keep the punch line to yourself, you can go more subtle with your celebration: Print it on socks or underwear, and you’ll be the only one who knows why you’re laughing.
Have a Comedy Club Experience
Another fun way to celebrate International Joke Day is to support professional joke-tellers. If you have a favorite comedy club, now’s the time to visit. If you don’t, find one in your area and buy tickets for July 1. Feeling extra ambitious? Host an open-mic party of your own and invite your friends to share their best jokes and funny stories, or sign up for an open-mic night and try your best humor on a paying crowd.
And how’s this for a last laugh — not only will your joke day humor experiments get you all the physical and emotional benefits of a good chuckle, but you’ll also probably have a funny new story to tell at the Fourth of July party you’re planning to attend.
Zazzle’s Lifestyle Expert is here to help create life’s best & most important moments. Discover unique ideas and endless inspiration to create meaningful memories with family, friends and your community.
