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National Button Day

Celebrate National Button Day with a crafty project or DIY fashion statement! Get creative and find the perfect way to show off your style.

Monday

November 2026

Last updated February 7, 2026 · by the Holiday Calendar Team

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YEARLY DATENovember 16

OBSERVED INUnited States

CATEGORYHobbies

SUBCATEGORYCollecting

INTRO

Introduction

PHOTO

Get ready to celebrate National Button Day on Nov. 16! Buttons have been around since ancient times, and were used as adornments by many cultures throughout history. They were also an important part of clothing and served a practical purpose; buttons helped secure garments in place and made them adjustable. Today, buttons are still used for both decorative and practical purposes - so why not take some time out of your day to appreciate the humble button?

TIMELINE

National Button Day Timeline

Button Invention

In the early 1800s, buttons were mass-produced for the first time, transforming the fashion industry.

Sewing Machine's Role

The invention of sewing machine in 1855 led to easier attachment of buttons to clothing, further increasing their usage.

Spanning the Civil War

Uniforms worn by soldiers during the Civil War prominently featured buttons, which became collectible items.

National Button Society Formation

The National Button Society, a non-profit organization aimed at preserving information about button collecting, was founded in 1912.

First National Button Day

National Button Day was first celebrated by the National Button Society in 1938 to honor the functional and decorative aspects of buttons.

Buttons in Pop Culture

Buttons became prevalent as a fashion statement and means of personal expression throughout the 1980s, often used to support various causes or bands.

GET INVOLVED

How to Celebrate National Button Day

Organize a button collection

Gather up all the buttons you have around your house, or even ask your friends and family to donate their button collections. Once you have them all together, organize them by size, shape, color, or any other creative way you can think of.

HOST

Host a button craft night

Invite a group of friends over for an evening of fun with buttons. Use some of the buttons from your own collection, and ask your guests to bring some too. Provide crafting materials like beads, lace, fabric, glue and thread, as well as scissors and needles. Let everyone get creative and make something unique.

HOLD

Hold a button hunt

Hide lots of different buttons around your house or garden. Give each participant a list of clues that will lead them to the hidden treasures. Award prizes for the most creative finder or for collecting the most buttons.

MAKE

Make jewellery with buttons

Create necklaces, earrings and bracelets with buttons of all shapes and sizes. Use one big statement piece or stack up several small ones in different colors. Thread elastic through the holes to create easy to wear bracelets.

SEW

Sew clothing with buttons

If you’re feeling adventurous this National Button Day why not try sewing on some new buttons to an old shirt or pair of jeans? You could also make new clothes from scratch by adding some colorful buttons as decorations.

WHY THIS DAY MATTERS

Why We Love National Button Day

Buttons bring back memories

From Grandma's buttons to those you collected as a child, buttons often bring with them fond memories. Even if it's just picking out your favorite designs from a jar full of assorted ones. Buttons can be cherished keepsakes that remind us of days gone by and the people we love.

Buttons are fun

There's something exciting and perfect about buttons! From the classic four-hole button to the colorful collection of decorative buttons, they offer a variety of ways to add creativity and charm to your wardrobe or projects. Plus, they can be used in all kind of craft activities like making jewelry, card making, scrapbooking, and more!

They have great symbolism

Buttons are not just decorative; they also represent so much more. They symbolize truth, innocence, justice, faithfulness and courage—to name a few things. So the next time you look at a bunch of buttons remember that each one has its own unique story and impact.

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