November 7 – National Hug a Bear Day

National Hug a Bear Day is Today!

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HOW TO CELEBRATE NATIONAL HUG A BEAR TODAY

•  You better just hug someone today.
•  Buy a teddy bear to hug!
•  Read, “The Undeniable Power of a Simple Hug.”
•  Watch the video, “11 Type of Hugs and What They Really Mean.”
•  If you love the article image, purchase it on these fun products on Zazzle!

FEATURED ITEM FOR NATIONAL HUG A BEAR DAY

For many people, hugging is an important way to show affection and express emotions like happiness, sadness, and love. But what exactly is hugging, and how did it become such a ubiquitous gesture? Hugging is simply the act of pressing one’s body against another person in order to express emotions or show affection. The origins of hugging are unclear, but it is believed to have first emerged as a way of showing support and comfort. For example, parents might hug their children after a fall, or friends might hug each other after receiving bad news.

In some cultures, it is customary to hug when greeting someone, while in others, it is considered more appropriate to shake hands. Regardless of its cultural significance, hugging is an essential form of human interaction that helps us to feel connected to others.

NATIONAL HUG A BEAR DAY:  A BRIEF HISTORY OF HUGGING

The act of hugging is universal and has been a part of human interaction for centuries. But where did this tradition come from?  It’s believed that the history of hugging dates back to the origins of human touch. For our ancestors, touching was a way to bond and show affection. In fact, studies have shown that infants who are not touched often fail to thrive. This need for human contact is hardwired into our brains and is essential for our survival.

Hugging is thought to have evolved as a way to reinforce social bonds. When we hug someone, we release oxytocin, the “cuddle hormone” that promotes feelings of love and trust. Oxytocin is also released during childbirth and breastfeeding, furthering the connection between mother and child.  National Hug a Bear Day National Hug a Bear Day National Hug a Bear Day National Hug a Bear Day National Hug a Bear Day Celebrate

100 WAYS TO CELEBRATE NATIONAL HUG A BEAR DAY

1. Teddy Bear Picnic: Host a picnic outdoors and invite friends to bring their favorite teddy bears.
2. Bear-themed Story Time: Gather children for storytelling featuring tales about bears.
3. Bear Crafting Workshop: Create DIY teddy bears using fabric, stuffing, and sewing materials.
4. Bear Dance Party: Play music and dance around with teddy bears as dance partners.
5. Bear Yoga: Practice gentle yoga poses with teddy bears as companions.
6. Bear Hike: Go for a nature walk or hike with a teddy bear in tow for company.
7. Bear Adoption Event: Organize a fundraiser where participants can “adopt” teddy bears for charity.
8. Bear-themed Movie Marathon: Watch movies featuring bears such as “Paddington” or “Winnie the Pooh.”
9. Bear Puppet Show: Put on a puppet show using bear-themed puppets made from socks or paper bags.
10. Bear-themed Arts and Crafts: Create bear-themed artworks using various materials like paint, paper, and clay.
11. Bear Bake-off: Host a baking competition featuring bear-shaped cookies, cakes, and treats.
12. Bear Scavenger Hunt: Hide teddy bears around the house or yard and have kids find them.
13. Bear Costume Party: Dress up as bears and have a costume party with bear-themed snacks and games.
14. Bear Story Writing: Write short stories or poems featuring bears as the main characters.
15. Bear Coloring Contest: Have a coloring contest with bear-themed coloring pages.
16. Bear Puppet Making: Create hand puppets shaped like bears using felt and glue.
17. Bear Bedtime Stories: Gather around for bedtime stories featuring cuddly bear characters.
18. Bear Origami: Fold paper into bear shapes and decorate them creatively.
19. Bear Nature Walk: Explore the outdoors while learning about bears and their habitats.
20. Bear-themed Art Exhibition: Display artworks featuring bears created by local artists.
21. Bear-themed Music Jam: Play songs on instruments or sing bear-related tunes together.
22. Bear Planting: Plant trees or flowers in honor of bears and their conservation.
23. Bear-themed Cooking Class: Learn to cook bear-themed dishes like bear paw cupcakes or bear-shaped pancakes.
24. Bear Pajama Party: Host a pajama party with teddy bears as guests for a cozy evening.
25. Bear Photography Session: Take photos with teddy bears in various poses and settings.
26. Bear Tag: A game of tag where players pretend to be bears chasing each other.
27. Bear Toss: Toss bean bags or stuffed bears into a designated target area.
28. Bear Relay Race: Divide into teams and race while carrying a stuffed bear to the finish line.
29. Bear Balloon Pop: Pop balloons to find hidden treats or prizes inside.
30. Bear Bowling: Set up bear-themed pins and roll a ball to knock them down.
31. Bear Limbo: Limbo under a bear-shaped stick without touching it.
32. Bear Puzzle Race: Race to complete bear-themed puzzles against opponents.
33. Bear Charades: Act out bear-related words or phrases for teammates to guess.
34. Bear Memory Game: Flip over cards to find matching pairs of bear images.
35. Bear Tic-Tac-Toe: Play tic-tac-toe with bear-shaped markers on a grid.
36. Bear Bean Bag Toss: Toss bean bags into bear-shaped targets for points.
37. Bear Hopscotch: Draw bear paw prints as hopscotch markers and play the classic game.
38. Bear Musical Chairs: Walk around stuffed bears arranged in a circle and sit when the music stops.
39. Bear Relay Puzzle: Race to complete a bear puzzle, passing pieces between teammates.
40. Bear Scavenger Hunt: Search for hidden bear-themed items or clues.
41. Bear Simon Says: Follow instructions given by the leader, adding “bear” to each command.
42. Bear Memory Challenge: Take turns reciting a growing list of bear-related items without forgetting any.
43. Bear Bingo: Play bingo using bear-themed cards with images or words.
44. Bear Hide and Seek: Hide stuffed bears around the playing area for others to find.
45. Bear Egg and Spoon Race: Balance a bear-shaped object on a spoon and race without dropping it.
46. Bear Coloring Contest: Compete to color bear-themed coloring pages the most creatively.
47. Bear Relay Obstacle Course: Navigate through obstacles while carrying a stuffed bear.
48. Bear Trivia: Answer questions about bears and wildlife to earn points.
49. Bear Craft Competition: Create bear-themed crafts using provided materials within a time limit.
50. Bear Storytelling Circle: Take turns telling stories about bears or sharing bear-related anecdotes.
51. Bear Paper Plate Masks: Craft bear masks using paper plates, paint, and craft supplies.
52. Sock Bears: Transform old socks into adorable stuffed bears with buttons and felt.
53. Bear Ears Headband: Make cute bear ear headbands using felt, headbands, and glue.
54. Bear Pom-Pom Keychains: Create fluffy bear-shaped pom-poms and attach them to keychains.
55. Bear Paw Print Art: Use paint to create bear paw prints on paper or canvas for artwork.
56. Teddy Bear Magnets: Craft miniature teddy bears using felt and attach magnets to the back.
57. Felt Bear Finger Puppets: Sew felt finger puppets shaped like bears for storytelling fun.
58. Bear Origami: Fold paper into origami bears with simple folding techniques.
59. Bear Paper Bag Puppets: Decorate paper bags to look like bears and use them for puppet shows.
60. Bear Tote Bags: Paint or stencil bear designs onto canvas tote bags for a fun accessory.
61. Bear Clay Figurines: Sculpt small bear figurines using air-dry clay and paint them in vibrant colors.
62. Bear Button Art: Create bear-shaped designs using colorful buttons on canvas or paper.
63. Bear Ribbon Bookmarks: Craft bookmarks with bear charms using ribbons and beads.
64. Pinecone Bears: Use pinecones as the base to make adorable bear figures with felt and glue.
65. Bear Dreamcatchers: Construct dreamcatchers with bear-themed elements like feathers and beads.
66. Bear Wall Hangings: Sew or glue together fabric pieces to make bear-shaped wall hangings.
67. Bear Friendship Bracelets: Weave friendship bracelets with bear charms using embroidery floss.
68. Bear Pencil Toppers: Make bear-themed pencil toppers using polymer clay or felt.
69. Bear Sock Puppets: Turn socks into cuddly bear puppets with felt features and googly eyes.
70. Bear Mason Jar Lanterns: Decorate mason jars with bear silhouettes and use them as lanterns.
71. Bear Beaded Keychains: String together beads to form bear-shaped keychains.
72. Bear Paper Garland: Cut out bear shapes from colored paper and string them into garlands.
73. Bear Stuffed Animal Clothes: Sew tiny outfits for stuffed bears using fabric scraps.
74. Bear Wood Slice Coasters: Paint bear designs on wood slices to make unique coasters.
75. Bear Tissue Box Covers: Crochet or sew covers shaped like bears to disguise tissue boxes.
76. Bear Pancakes: Create pancakes in the shape of bears using pancake molds or freehand pouring.
77. Bear Toast: Use toast as a canvas to create cute bear faces using spreads like peanut butter and fruit.
78. Teddy Bear Sandwiches: Make sandwiches with bear-shaped cookie cutters and fill them with favorite ingredients.
79. Bear Cupcakes: Decorate cupcakes with frosting to resemble bear faces, complete with chocolate chip eyes and noses.
80. Bear-shaped Cookies: Bake cookies in the shape of bears and decorate them with icing and sprinkles.
81. Bear Pizza: Arrange pizza toppings into a bear face shape before baking for a fun and tasty treat.
82. Bear Fruit Salad: Arrange various fruits into a bear face shape on a plate for a healthy and adorable snack.
83. Bear-shaped Cheese Slices: Use a bear-shaped cookie cutter to cut cheese slices for sandwiches or snacks.
84. Bear Rice Balls: Mold rice into bear shapes and decorate with nori seaweed for facial features.
85. Bear Paw Print Cookies: Make cookies shaped like bear paws and imprint them with chocolate paw prints.
86. Bear Cupcake Toppers: Create fondant or chocolate bear toppers to adorn cupcakes.
87. Bear Bagels: Use bagels as a base and add cream cheese and toppings to create bear faces.
88. Bear Fruit Pops: Skewer fruits like strawberries and bananas to make bear-shaped fruit popsicles.
89. Bear-shaped Jello: Pour Jello into bear-shaped molds and refrigerate until set for a wiggly bear dessert.
90. Bear-shaped Cheese Crackers: Use a bear-shaped cookie cutter to cut out cheese crackers for a playful snack.
91. Bear Trail Mix: Combine nuts, dried fruits, and chocolate chips in a bowl, adding bear-shaped graham crackers for a thematic touch.
92. Bear Waffles: Make waffles in the shape of bears using a waffle maker and top with syrup and berries.
93. Bear Rice Krispie Treats: Mold Rice Krispie treats into bear shapes and decorate with chocolate and candies.
94. Bear Fruit Kabobs: Thread bear-shaped pieces of fruit onto skewers for a fun and healthy snack.
95. Bear-shaped Veggie Platter: Arrange sliced vegetables like cucumbers and carrots into a bear face shape on a platter.
96. Bear Sushi Rolls: Roll sushi ingredients into sushi rolls and cut them into bear shapes for a creative twist.
97. Bear-shaped Pancake Stacks: Stack small pancakes to resemble a bear’s body and decorate with fruit features.
98. Bear Cake Pops: Shape cake pops into bear faces and dip them in chocolate or candy melts.
99. Bear Oatmeal: Use oats as a base and add fruit slices to create a bear face on top.
100. Bear Ice Cream Sundaes: Scoop ice cream into bowls and add toppings to create bear faces, using candies for features.

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Do you have any ideas about how to celebrate National Hug a Bear Day?  Please share them!