Count Your Buttons Day

Every year on October 21, we celebrate Count Your Buttons Day, a light-hearted reminder to pause, check our garments, and appreciate those often-overlooked little fasteners.

History of Count Your Buttons Day

The origins of Count Your Buttons Day are a bit of a mystery — no official record tells us who came up with the idea or why it landed on October 21. But buttons themselves have a surprisingly long history. Thousands of years ago, people used seashells, bones, and metal as early button-like decorations. By the Middle Ages, functional buttons and buttonholes had become practical fasteners for clothing, and they slowly evolved into everyday essentials.

As the centuries passed, buttons became more than just functional. They began to reflect fashion trends, social status, and even served as tiny canvases for art and craftsmanship. Count Your Buttons Day might not have ancient roots itself, but it taps into this long and detailed history in a fun and thoughtful way — bringing attention to something small that plays a big part in daily life.

Why is Count Your Buttons Day important?

At first glance, Count Your Buttons Day seems like a bit of quirky fun — and it is! But it also nudges us to slow down and notice details. A missing button might not seem like a big deal until it’s gone and suddenly your coat doesn’t close, or your shirt looks off. It’s those tiny things, like a button doing its job day in and day out, that often go unnoticed but are quietly important.

There’s also something quietly comforting in the ritual of checking and fixing buttons. It’s about care — for ourselves, our appearance, our belongings. It can feel surprisingly grounding to sit down with a needle and thread and fix what’s loose. The day is a playful excuse to pay attention to little things, and that alone makes it worth noting.

• Helps us slow down and notice small, everyday things
• Reminds us that even tiny details can make a big difference
• Offers a chance to care for our clothes and feel more put-together
• Brings a little whimsy and lightness into the day
• Encourages creativity through button crafts or collections

How to Celebrate Count Your Buttons Day

There’s no wrong way to join in on Count Your Buttons Day. One of the easiest ways is to just look at what you’re wearing — how many buttons are on your outfit right now? Is one loose? Missing? Take a few minutes to sew it back on or even replace it with a new one for a fresh look. That’s already celebrating the day.

You can also have some fun with your button stash if you have one. People who sew often collect extra buttons over time — so dig into that jar and see what treasures are there. Some people even make art or jewelry from buttons, turning something ordinary into something special. And if you’re in the mood, share a picture of your button find or creation with friends just for the fun of it.

• Count the buttons on your clothes today
• Fix or replace any loose or missing buttons
• Dig into your old sewing kit and explore your button collection
• Make a small craft project using buttons
• Share your button story or a photo online with friends

Count Your Buttons Day Dates Table