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It is the universal gesture of victory, encouragement, and pure, unadulterated teamwork. A high five is a clean, simple, and instantly recognizable way to say, "I see you, you did great, and we're in this together." Whether you're celebrating a big win at work or a tiny victory in the kitchen, today is your official excuse to put your hands up and pass the spark of joy to everyone around you.

When is National High Five Day?

National High Five Day is celebrated every year on the third Thursday of April. In 2026, it falls on April 18th.

Why We Celebrate: A Bite-Sized History

The origin of the high five is highly debated, but the most famous claim comes from baseball in 1977. Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Glenn Burke spontaneously slapped the hand of teammate Dusty Baker as Baker crossed home plate after hitting his 30th home run. It was a gesture of pure, unchoreographed celebration. That spirit of spontaneous joy is what we honor today.

• Fun Fact 1: The high five has roots in the classic low five, a handshake popular in the 1970s.

• Fun Fact 2: The day was first created by a group of students at the University of Virginia in 2002.

• The Big Why: We celebrate this day to remind ourselves to Spark joy and foster Connection with a simple, physical act.

3 Ways to Make Today Memorable

1. The "5-Minute" Fix (Easy)

Short on time? Use the ultimate Mom Hack: the "Drive-By High Five." As you walk through your home, office, or neighborhood, be hyper-aware of opportunities to give a high five. Did the dog make it to the carpet? Did the boss finish their call? Did the kids put away one toy? It costs nothing but provides an instant micro-burst of appreciation.

The Tool: To ensure your hand-to-hand contact is always clean and crisp (especially if you're high-fiving the whole office), a small, stylish hand sanitizer dispenser for your desk is a must-have:

• Shop a Compact Automatic Hand Sanitizer Dispenser on Amazon

2. The DIY Activity (Creative)

Gather the family and try the “High Five Wall.” Use brightly colored construction paper or foam to trace everyone’s hand. Cut them out and stick them on a wall or door in a high-traffic area. Everyone must high five a new hand print on the wall every time they pass by. It’s an activity that sparks creativity and reminds everyone of the simple connection.

The Supplies: To make this craft project pop, this pack of vibrant, colorful craft foam sheets is perfect for tracing and cutting:

• Grab a Set of Bright Colored Craft Foam Sheets on Amazon

3. The "Grand Gesture" (The Party)

If you want to go all out, host a "Celebration Station." Set up a small area in the kitchen or living room with a sign that says "Celebrate Your Win." Provide a bowl of treats, a confetti popper, or even an instant camera. Every time someone achieves a goal (small or large), they have to go to the station for a high five and a physical, celebratory reward.

The Party Item: To capture that perfect moment of victory, an instant print camera is the perfect addition to your Celebration Station for a physical, tangible memory:

• Get an Instant Print Camera for Quick Photo Fun on Amazon

The Perfect Gift for the Team Player

Our Editors’ Pick:

The "Team Victory" Personalized Drink Coaster Set

Why we love it: A great way to acknowledge the team spirit that makes life great. Use our easy personalization tool to engrave the coasters with a fun motto (like "High Fives & Happy Hours" or "The [Family Name] Dream Team"). It turns a simple piece of decor into a durable, charming keepsake they will actually use every season.

• Perfect for: The co-worker or family member who always cheers you on.

• Shop the Custom Coaster Collection

Join the Conversation

What’s the best high five you’ve ever received? Do you have a victory dance to go with it? Share a photo of your High Five Wall on Instagram and Tiktok and tag us @OnManyOccasions or leave a comment below!

What’s Next?

April keeps the good times going!

National Kindergarten Day is coming up on Tuesday, April 21.

Channel your inner child and download our Free 2026 Celebration Calendar so you never miss a day worth celebrating.