Put On Your Own Shoes Day

Sounds simple enough – and surely plenty of us do it every day, unless you really feel like braving the walk to work in your socks – but it seems this day might be more to do with shoes themselves and a way of encouraging children to put on and tie their own shoes.

History of Put On Your Own Shoes Day

There is very little information available about this day that we could get our hands on, and the jury’s out on exactly what it means. It could be a metaphor for walking your own way in life, being independent and being an individual. It could be a day to encourage children to tie up their own laces, or it could just be a day meant to observe the benefits, and the style iconography, of the humble shoe.

Strange as it sounds, the history of footwear itself is exceptionally varied and colorful. The first shoes were probably worn around 40,000 years ago, in the Middle Paleolithic period. They weren’t as stylish as the ones you can get hold of today, made from leather and wrapped around the foot. In a pinch, bark and big leaves were probably used, making a rudimentary sandal.

Sandals became popular during the time of the Ancient Romans, whom history recalls using the now recognizable style. Roman sandals were a bit of a game changer at the time due to their lightweight, sturdy and breathable nature which made marching and pillaging a bit easier for their footsoldiers.

Footwear wouldn’t start truly being something fashionable until around the Baroque period, when the design of your shoe was a key indicator of your social class. The higher your heels, the higher your class. Walk around without any shoes on at all and you probably weren’t doing so well.

Throughout the following centuries and across the world, shoes have seen some weird and wonderful designs – both for fashion and practicality. And nowadays, both!

How to celebrate Put On Your Own Shoes Day

If you are a parent of small children, honor the day by allowing them to tie their own laces and put on their own shoes in time for school today. Although we take it for granted, simply putting on shoes can be a little daunting for a toddler, and December 6th is the perfect time for your little one to take the plunge! How great would it be if after this day, they keep putting them on themselves? Not that it will make the school run any quicker…