💋 August 25 – Kiss and Make Up Day: Pucker Up, Buttercup (It’s Time to Bury That Drama) 💄

Let’s face it—life’s too short to hold grudges, especially when there’s lipstick, hugs, and awkward apologies waiting on the other side. That’s right, August 25 is Kiss and Make Up Day, the unofficial holiday that gives us all permission to stop being petty and start patching things up (preferably with chocolate, compliments, or a dramatic rom-com-style reconciliation scene).

Whether you're feuding over who really stole the last cookie or still low-key mad your BFF watched your favorite show without you (rude), today’s the day to let it go. Forgiveness: it’s cheaper than therapy and way cuter with a kiss.

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Just so you know, this post may contain affiliate links. That means if you click through and buy something, I might earn a tiny commission—enough to keep the lights on and maybe snag a celebratory cupcake. It doesn’t cost you anything extra, pinky promise.

💘 Origin Story: Where Did This Make-Up Magic Begin?

As with most made-up-but-delightfully-necessary holidays, the exact origins of Kiss and Make Up Day are a little fuzzy. It likely sprouted from the same tree that gave us National Hug Day and Eat Chocolate for Breakfast Day—a deeply relatable desire to sprinkle a little love and emotional cleanup into the chaos of life.

What we do know? The phrase “kiss and make up” has been around since at least the 14th century and has been helping couples, siblings, and mortal enemies awkwardly hug it out ever since.

😘 Fun (and Slightly Spicy) Facts About Making Up:

• Apology science is real. Studies show sincere apologies release oxytocin—a.k.a. the “hug hormone.” So yes, saying sorry literally makes you feel warm and fuzzy inside.

• The “make up kiss” is basically mythologized. Pop culture LOVES a good reconciliation smooch. From Ross and Rachel to Jim and Pam, it’s like emotional superglue with lip balm.

• Holding grudges is exhausting. Not just emotionally—it can mess with your immune system, too. Forgiveness: the free spa treatment your nervous system didn’t know it needed.

• Ancient Romans used kisses to sign contracts. So yes, sealing it with a kiss is historically legit.

💄10+ Quirky Ways to Celebrate Kiss and Make Up Day:

1. Write a dramatic apology letter… in calligraphy. Bonus points for wax seals and Shakespearean flair.

2. Host a “Make Up & Mocktails” night. Invite friends over for makeup tutorials, mocktails, and mild emotional breakthroughs.

3. Send a peace offering. Cookies, flowers, or a playlist titled “Sorry I Was a Jerk, Vol. 1.”

4. Recreate a cheesy movie reconciliation scene. Bonus points for running in slow motion through a field or airport terminal.

5. Create a forgiveness jar. Drop in the names of people (or pizza places) you need to forgive and set them free, Marie Kondo-style.

6. Apologize via meme. A little humor goes a long way in patching things up.

7. Lipstick art challenge. Try drawing your bestie or partner using only kiss prints. Is it weird? Yes. Will it be hilarious? Also yes.

8. Reenact a petty fight—with sock puppets. Because if you can laugh about it, you’re already halfway to healing.

9. Buy yourself some makeup. Even if you’re not feuding, treat yo’ face. It’s Kiss AND Make Up Day, after all.

10. Forgive yourself. Seriously. Write down one thing you’re still beating yourself up over, then let it go. You’re doing great.

11. Record a karaoke duet with someone you’ve beefed with. Because nothing says “we’re cool now” like off-key harmonies and emotional catharsis.

Kiss and Make Up Day Dinner Theme - "Peace Offering Picnic"

🍝 Main Dish: Truce Tagliatelle with Roasted Garlic & Tomato Cream Sauce

Ingredients:

• 12 oz tagliatelle or pappardelle

• 1 head garlic, roasted

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• 1 small shallot, minced

• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved

• 1/2 cup heavy cream

• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan

• Fresh basil, torn

• Salt & pepper

• Optional: crushed red pepper for a little drama

Instructions:

1. Roast your garlic: Slice off the top of the head, drizzle with oil, wrap in foil, and bake at 400°F for ~30 min.

2. Boil pasta in salted water until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water.

3. In a pan, heat olive oil. Sauté shallots until soft. Add cherry tomatoes and cook until they begin to burst.

4. Squeeze in roasted garlic, stir into the sauce like you're blending back into harmony.

5. Add cream, cheese, and pasta water. Stir until luscious and creamy.

6. Toss pasta into sauce, top with basil, and serve to your favorite frenemy.

🥗 Side: Mixed Greens with Peach Slices & Goat Cheese ("Make It Sweet" Salad)

• Mixed baby greens

• 1 ripe peach, thinly sliced

• Crumbled goat cheese

• Candied pecans or walnuts

• Balsamic honey dressing (balsamic + honey + olive oil + Dijon + pinch of salt)

Throw it all together like a fresh start.

🍸 Drink: "Forgive Me Fizz" – Blackberry Basil Sparkler (Mocktail or Cocktail)

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup fresh blackberries

• 1 tbsp honey or agave

• 1 tsp lemon juice

• Fresh basil leaves

• Sparkling water (or prosecco if you're feeling spicy)

• Optional: splash of gin or vodka

Muddle blackberries, basil, honey, and lemon juice in a glass. Fill with ice and top with bubbles. Stir gently. Sip slowly, like you're letting go of a grudge.

🍓 Dessert: "Peach Please" Shortcakes with Whipped Mascarpone

Ingredients:

For the shortcakes:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour

• 1 tbsp sugar

• 1 tbsp baking powder

• 1/2 tsp salt

• 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter, cubed

• 2/3 cup heavy cream (plus more for brushing)

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

For the filling:

• 2–3 ripe peaches, sliced

• 1 tbsp honey or brown sugar

• Squeeze of lemon juice

For the whipped mascarpone:

• 1/2 cup mascarpone cheese

• 1/2 cup cold heavy cream

• 1–2 tbsp powdered sugar

• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions:

1. Make the shortcakes:
   Preheat oven to 400°F. In a bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
   Cut in the butter until it resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in cream and vanilla until just combined.
   Pat into a 1-inch thick round, cut into circles (or rustic shapes — we’re not mad).
   Brush tops with a bit of cream and bake for 15–18 minutes until golden.

2. Prepare the peaches:
   Toss slices with honey and lemon juice. Let them sit and get syrupy while the shortcakes bake.

3. Whip the mascarpone:
   Beat mascarpone, cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla together until soft peaks form.

4. Assemble:
   Split the shortcakes, spoon in whipped mascarpone, pile on peaches, top with the lid and a little extra cream or syrup if you’re feeling dramatic.

🕯 Vibe Notes:

• Indoor picnic blanket again? Obviously.

• Add a soft playlist (think indie love songs or gentle jazz).

• Maybe a little handwritten note at each place setting that says “I’m glad we’re okay.”

🍭 For Elementary Classrooms: "The Friendship Fix-It Factory" 🛠️❤️

🧠 Learning Focus:

• Conflict resolution

• Empathy and perspective-taking

• Expressing emotions and apologies appropriately

🧰 Materials:

• Printable Friendship Fix-It Toolkit (see below)

• A box or small bin decorated like a “Fix-It Factory”

• Emotion cards or simple emojis (optional but helpful)

• Chart paper or whiteboard

• Glue sticks, crayons, scissors

🪄 Activity Instructions:

1. Morning Message Intro 📝:
   Greet your students with a cheerful note on the board:
   “Today is Kiss and Make Up Day! Did you know it’s a day all about saying ‘I’m sorry,’ fixing friendship mix-ups, and giving hugs or high-fives to start fresh?”

2. Read-Aloud + Chat 📖:
   Choose a short read-aloud with a reconciliation theme like:

   • “Enemy Pie” by Derek Munson

   • “Llama Llama Time to Share” by Anna Dewdney
     Pause to ask questions like:

   • “How do you think [character] felt before and after the apology?”

   • “What would you have done in that situation?”

3. Create the Fix-It Factory 🏭:
   Set up your box and explain that anytime someone feels a friendship needs fixing, they can use a tool from the toolkit to help. Tools include:

   • “I Message” cards 🗣️ ("I feel ___ when ___. I would like ___.”)

   • “Magic Words” slips ✨ ("I’m sorry", “Let’s try again”)

   • “Hug, High-Five, or Handshake” choice cards 🤗🖐️🤝

   • “Draw It Out” sheets 🎨 for those who prefer expressing with pictures

4. Role-Play Scenarios 🎭:
   In partners or small groups, model how to use the tools to solve made-up friend conflicts (e.g., "Someone cut in line," or "Someone said something unkind").

5. Wrap-Up Reflection 🧘‍♀️:
   Close the day with a circle chat: “What does making up feel like? Why is it important to say sorry or forgive?”

📎 Printable Toolkit Includes:

• “Fix-It Factory” sign

• Emotion faces

• I-message templates

• Magic Words cards

• Draw-It-Out worksheet
  

🎭 For Secondary Classrooms: "Unsent Apologies & Forgiveness Letters" ✉️💌

🧠 Learning Focus:

• Reflective writing

• Emotional intelligence & empathy

• Healthy conflict resolution

🧰 Materials:

• Lined paper or notebooks

• Envelopes (optional, for aesthetic flair)

• “Unsent Letter Prompts” printable

• Quiet music (optional, for tone setting)

🪄 Activity Instructions:

1. Discussion Warm-Up 🗣️:
   On the board: “Is it more powerful to say ‘I’m sorry’ or ‘I forgive you’?”
   Let students journal for 5 minutes, then discuss as a class. Use this to segue into how both sides of reconciliation matter.

2. Introduce Kiss and Make Up Day 💋:
   Share the concept: “Today’s not about romantic kisses—it’s about those emotional clean slates we sometimes need. We’re going to explore the power of repair.”

3. Writing Prompt Options ✍️:
   Hand out the Unsent Letter Prompts and let students choose one:

   • Write an unsent apology to someone you may have hurt

   • Write a forgiveness letter to someone who hurt you

   • Write to your younger self, forgiving a past mistake

   • Write to your future self, apologizing for a current pattern

4. Set the Mood 🎶:
   Let students write silently for 15–20 minutes. Optional: play soft instrumental music or nature sounds to foster a reflective vibe.

5. Optional Sharing Circle 🪑:
   Offer a chance for volunteers to share their letters (or just the emotions behind them). Remind students this is a space of safety and zero judgment.

6. Closing Ritual 🕯️:
   Let students choose:

   • Tear it up 🔥 (symbolic release)

   • Seal it in an envelope for safekeeping ✉️

   • Or tuck it into a classroom “Vault of Closure” box 📦

📎 Unsent Letter Prompts Handout Includes:

• 4 themed writing starters

• Brief journaling guidelines

• “Keep It or Release It?” reflection slip

💋 Quirky in the Workplace

A.K.A. “Hug it out? Maybe. Passive-aggressively gift each other apology snacks? Definitely.”

The “I’m (Probably) Sorry” Apology Exchange

Set up a lighthearted, anonymous apology station. Everyone writes a weird or whimsical apology note and drops it in a “Make Up Mailbox.” Think of it like workplace Valentine’s Day—but for emotional baggage.

✨ Instructions:

• Write an anonymous note that starts with:

  “To whomever I may have mildly inconvenienced during the last fiscal quarter…”

• Add an odd little peace offering inside the envelope:

  a snack-sized candy bar, a googly-eyed paperclip pal, or a sticker that says “I’m emotionally available for feedback now.”

💡 Bonus: Post the most ridiculous (and wholesome) apology blurbs on a “Wall of Workplace Healing” bulletin board. Think:

“Sorry I stole your lunch that one time. I panicked. It was quinoa.”
“My bad for replying-all. May your inbox recover in peace.”

🎁 Reward for participation: A “Certificate of Emotional Growth” and first dibs on snacks in the breakroom.

Tagline for the day:
"Kiss and Make Up Day: Because nothing says professional maturity like an apology wrapped in bubblegum and glitter glue."

Movie: "The Break-Up" (2006)

Why it fits:
This romantic dramedy explores a couple’s messy breakup—and all the emotional tension, petty fights, and stubborn pride that come with it. While not a traditional “make-up” movie, it brilliantly captures the complexities of relationships and the difficulty of reconciling. It's the perfect Kiss and Make Up Day watch because it leaves you thinking about how much effort forgiveness and understanding take.

📺 TV Episode: "Friends" – The One with Ross's Sandwich (Season 5, Episode 9)

Why it fits:
While it’s remembered for Ross’s iconic sandwich meltdown, this episode also features Monica and Chandler working through the challenges of keeping their secret relationship hidden. But more importantly, it shows Ross’s coworkers and friends coming together to support him after his emotional outburst. It blends humor with the underlying message of support, reconciliation, and giving people a second chance.

💬 Final Thought:

Today’s not just about smoothing things over with others—it’s also a great excuse to check in with yourself. Are you holding onto something that doesn’t serve you? Is there someone (including you) who could use a little grace, a little humor, and a metaphorical (or literal) smooch on the cheek?

Put down your pride, pick up your phone, and start mending those fences, honey. Bonus if you do it in red lipstick.

✨#KissAndMakeUpDay Vibes:

#PuckerUp #SorryNotSorry #MakeUpMagic #ForgiveAndFlourish #LetItGo #HugItOut #CelebrateQuirky #ReconciliationGoals #EmotionalGlowUp #KissKissHooray 💋