In this day and age, there is always someone cashing in on something, whether it’s Apple rolling in the dough with its latest iPod or Saudi Arabia gouging us with increased oil prices.

On a lighter note, Hallmark couldn’t be left out of this shameless money game. They have invented holidays to celebrate, and in turn, Americans buy their merchandise for any such event.

So what is a “Hallmark holiday” anyway? It’s a holiday created for commercial purposes rather than to mark any religious or historic event. The only time a new holiday can be created is when there are enough requests from consumers. Here is a list of some that made the cut, including two that are celebrated this week.

Sweetest Day

Sweetest Day isn’t as popular as Valentine’s Day, but it’s still a single’s nightmare. The only reason someone would think twice about this holiday would be if they had a boyfriend or girlfriend. This year, it falls on Oct. 21, but mathematically it is the third Saturday in October. For the singles, it reminds them to be in a couple. On the other hand, this event wasn’t created with the primary intent of celebrating your significant other.

In 1922 a candy company employee wanted to bring joy to children whose lives were forgotten. Herbert Birch Kingston and his coworkers wrapped candy and small gifts for orphans, showing them that someone cared.

Currently, Hallmark sells 151 different Sweetest Day cards, the majority containing a romantic theme. Corny or cute, these cards sell, even with messages like: “Waffle patterns on your butt never fade. Friendship lasts forever.”

Friendship Day

Friendship cards are also increasing in popularity. Since 1919, Hallmark’s founder, Joyce Hall, recognized the importance of sending friendship cards after a friend suggested he put an Edgar Guest poem on one of his cards. It began “I’d like to be the sort of friend that you have been to me …”

Since 1935, Congress has recognized National Friendship Day on Aug. 7. On the other hand, for Hallmark, Friendship Day is every day. The public agrees. Hallmark sells 160 million friendship cards each year.

Boss Day

Almost everyone has a job. Giving your boss a friendship card will make a good impression if you’re hoping to gain that promotion, or you could send them a Boss Day card to score brownie points. It’s not too late to brownnose—this holiday occurs on Oct. 16 each year. For the 49 percent of Americans in managerial positions, this one’s for you.

In an effort to bridge the gap between employees and supervisors, Patricia Bays Haroski, a then-employee at State Farm Insurance, registered the holiday with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Haroski chose Oct. 16 because that was her dad’s birthday and she thought he was a model boss. Now celebrated in England, Australia and South Africa, this event is no longer a uniquely American tradition.

Parent Holidays

Hallmark makes big bucks exploiting our family members. Mother’s, Father’s and Grandparent’s Day are all considered “Hallmark Holidays.” The biggest of these three is, by far, Mother’s Day. According to Hallmark research, it is the third-largest holiday for card sales, with approximately 150 million cards sent in 2006.

Every second Sunday in May, we get together to celebrate those who have given birth. The relationship extends to not only your mom, but your grandmother, aunts, daughters, neighbors and those you love who are mothers to someone.

Anna Jarvis lost her mother at age 41. It wasn’t until two years later, in 1908, that she decided to publicly have a day honoring her mother. The two-year anniversary marking the death of Jarvis’s mother was the second Sunday in May, thus becoming the day we celebrate Mother’s Day.

Currently Hallmark produces 1,700 different Mother’s Day cards, with the majority conveying a serious theme.

Grandparent’s Day

Even though there are 70 million grandparents living in the United States, Hallmark only offers 59 different cards. Despite our never-ending love for our grandparents, only 2 million cards are sold for them each year.

This Hallmark Holiday sprouts from political roots. Former President Jimmy Carter signed a congressional resolution in 1978 after encouragement by an emerging grassroots movement. Since then, we have been celebrating Grandparent’s Day the first Sunday after Labor Day.

Whether a holiday comes or goes, it’s more important to celebrate the person rather than the day. For free e-cards at any occasion, visit hallmark.com 365 days a year.

Sources: Hallmark.com and Wikipedia encyclopedia

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