National Whiners Day

National Whiners Day is a humorous yet meaningful observance celebrated annually on December 26. While the day after Christmas is often associated with shopping or relaxation, this holiday encourages people to briefly air their grievances about the stress of the festive season. In 2025, it falls on Friday, December 26. The concept is simple: you are allowed to complain about unwanted gifts, holiday fatigue, or messy houses, but with the ultimate goal of realizing how lucky you are compared to those with genuine struggles.

History of National Whiners Day

The holiday was founded in 1986 by Reverend Kevin Zaborney of Caro, Michigan. Zaborney, who is also known for creating National Hugging Day, observed that many people felt a distinct sense of letdown or exhaustion immediately following Christmas. He noticed that the pressure to have a “perfect” holiday often left people feeling stressed and unappreciated once the festivities ended. He designated December 26 as a day to acknowledge these feelings rather than bottling them up.

However, Zaborney’s intention was never to promote negativity. Instead, he designed the day as a reverse-psychology exercise. By allowing people to whine about trivial “first-world problems”—like standing in long return lines or eating too many leftovers—he hoped they would recognize that their problems were relatively minor. The day was meant to serve as a bridge back to gratitude, reminding citizens that if they have the energy to whine about a gift, they are likely more fortunate than many others.

Why is National Whiners Day important?

This day provides a necessary emotional release valve after the high-pressure buildup of the holiday season. Christmas often demands weeks of shopping, cooking, cleaning, and social performing, which can lead to burnout. National Whiners Day validates the feeling that it is okay to be tired or annoyed. It creates a safe space where admitting that the holidays were stressful is not seen as being ungrateful, but rather as being human.

Ultimately, the holiday serves as a reality check for one’s perspective. When people voice their complaints out loud, they often realize how silly or manageable their grievances sound. It transforms irritation into humor, allowing friends and families to laugh at the chaos of the previous days. By venting these minor frustrations, people can clear their minds and enter the New Year with a lighter spirit and a renewed sense of appreciation for what they have.

• It offers a designated time to release post-holiday stress without guilt
• The day uses humor to diffuse tension and family arguments
• It encourages perspective by highlighting how small most complaints are
• People bond over shared frustrations regarding shopping and cleanup
• The observance leads to a deeper sense of genuine gratitude

How to Observe National Whiners Day

The most popular way to celebrate is to host a “Whine and Geeze” party. This is a pun-filled gathering where guests enjoy cheese and other snacks while taking turns airing their grievances. The rule is that everyone gets a specific amount of time to complain about anything they want—bad traffic, noisy relatives, or disappointing presents—without judgment. Once the time is up, the whining must stop, and the focus shifts to laughing about it.

Another tradition involves keeping an eye out for the “Whiner of the Year” announcement. In the past, organizers have nominated famous public figures or celebrities who complained publicly during the year. For a more personal observation, some people visit shopping malls to watch the long lines at return counters, using the scene as a reminder to be patient and thankful that they aren’t the ones arguing with a cashier. The day ends best by making a conscious list of blessings to counteract the earlier complaints.

• Host a casual get-together to vent about holiday stress with friends
• Write down your complaints and then physically throw the paper away
• Watch a comedy movie that features disastrous family holidays
• Donate to a charity to help those who have real reasons to worry
• Share a funny story about your worst Christmas gift on social media