It's Lucky Penny Day according to holidayinsights.com. Perhaps a Lucky Penny will be lucky for you today.
Taken at face value, a penny doesn't buy you much, if anything. It used to. During your parents and grandparents days, a penny bought a lot of things. Most notably, "Penny Candy" got its name because a piece of candy cost a penny. Inflation year after year after year, eroded the penny's value. There has even been some discussion as to whether to discontinue the penny....Heaven forbid!
The penny still serves a very useful purpose... at least some of them are lucky pennies. Lucky pennies are found on the ground. Not all of the pennies you find will be lucky. But, it will only take one lucky penny used to scratch off the mega winner on a a scratch-off ticket.
Are you superstitious? Superstition has it that you should only pick up a penny that is lying face up.
Here are some other uses for pennies:
A penny for your thoughts.
To put your "two cents" in.
A necessity for penny pinchers
A handy screwdriver when nothing else is available
How to Celebrate Lucky Penny Day
It just makes cents according to retailmenot.com
Every year, National Lucky Penny Day is celebrated on May 23. We did some research on the history of this holiday, but alas, no one seems to know where it stems from. But that’s okay. This is one of those unofficial national holidays that is fun to celebrate, even if you are puzzled by its origins.
How to Celebrate Lucky Penny Day
Search for pennies wherever you go on May 23. You know the saying: “See a penny, pick it up. All day long, you’ll have good luck.”
Hide pennies. Host your own hide-and-seek game by placing pennies in unassuming spots around the house. This will make for a nice (and cheap) activity if you have kids.
Collect all the pennies in your house and take them to the bank. Either deposit your findings or use them to take the friends or family out for a treat.
Turn pennies into gorgeous works of art. We put together a list of DIY penny crafts that make for a wonderful way to celebrate Lucky Penny Day.
Make lucky pennies cookies. Yum!
Delicious bite-sized cookies are sure to make you feel luck or at least really happy.
Ingredients
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/4 cup molasses
1 large egg
Granulated sugar (for coating cookies)
Instructions
1. In a large mixing bowl, stir together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves, and salt.
2. In a separate large bowl, use a wooden spoon to cream the butter and brown sugar until smooth.
3. Stir in the molasses and egg and mix until well blended.
4. Gradually stir in the flour mixture until combined.
5. Cover the dough and refrigerate it for at least 1 to 2 hours or until firm enough to roll into balls.
6. Heat the oven to 375.
7. Use a tiny spoon (we used one from a child’s tea set) to scoop the dough out of the bowl, then roll it with your fingertips into balls that are about 1/2 inch in diameter.
8. Roll the balls in a shallow bowl of granulated sugar.
9. Place the balls on an ungreased baking sheet, leaving 2 inches between the cookies.
10. Bake for 7 to 9 minutes or until the cookies are crinkled and set.
11. Cool the cookies on the baking sheets for about 5 minutes.
12. Using a metal spatula, transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
13. Repeat until all the dough is used.
The cookies can be stored in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 1 month and at room temperature for up to 1 week.
Makes about 10 dozen Lucky Pennies.
KIDS’ STEPS: Kids can mix up the dough, shape it into balls, and roll the balls in sugar.
Feeling Lucky? 14 Penny Superstitions
Legend has it that if you toss a penny over your left shoulder into a wishing well, your dream will come true.
Carry a penny for luck. Some say you should carry a penny wrapped in paper in your pocketbook, so you can say you are never broke.
Tossing a penny overboard while traveling at sea guarantees a safe trip.
Keeping a jar of pennies in the kitchen is good luck.
To secure good luck, carry a penny or coin that was minted in the year you were born.
Keep a coin in a baby’s crib, and the baby will grow up to be healthy, wealthy and wise.
Finding a penny means more money is coming your way.
Putting the first penny you receive each day into your pocket will attract more throughout the day.
Coins with holes in them are especially lucky.
Tossing a penny when you have a problem lets fate take care of the problem for you.
Tossing a penny over your left shoulder into water or a wishing well will make your wish come true.
Carrying three pennies with you will bring good luck.
Place a penny in your shoe to bring good fortune.
Do not spend a penny that you find, but save it for luck.
When you find a penny, only keep it if it’s heads-up; otherwise, it’s not lucky. If it’s tails-up, turn it over for the next person to find. Note: Some people don’t believe this. They say all found pennies are lucky.
