MAY DAY
On May 1st, May Day ushers in a traditional celebration of flowers and spring. In many ancient calendars, May 1st welcomed the first day of summer. This was truly a cause for celebration.
One of the more popular rituals was harvesting flowers and giving them to neighbors and strangers in cone-shaped baskets. These May Baskets become more commonly known as May Day Baskets. The current tradition is observed by hanging a cone-shaped basket full of flowers or other gifts on the outside doorknob, then knocking or ringing the doorbell and running away.
May Day has been a traditional day of celebration for centuries, with some of the earliest appearing in pre-Christian times. In English tradition, the observance is celebrated by crowning a May Queen and dancing around a maypole. The Finnish recognize a carnival-type celebration in the streets that includes a special type of lemonade made with lemons, brown sugar, and yeast. In France, it is correct to give people either dogwood or lily of the valley while Italians celebrate with a seasonal feast in honor of the arrival of spring.
HOW TO OBSERVE #MayDay
While there are several ways to celebrate the day, don’t limit yourself to just one! Choose several of these spring options:
- Dance! Either dance around a May Pole or just dance with someone near to you.
- Plant flowers. Make a point of planting wildflowers and you will attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies.
- Make a flower crown. When you’ve finished, wear it or put it on the queen in your life.
- Fill a basket with flowers. Then, deliver it to your neighbor, ring the bell, and run!
- You can also deliver flower bulbs that your friends and neighbors can plant in their yards.
- Make a May Basket. Download this design to make and fill it with flowers to share.
Use #MayDay when posting on Social Media.
NATIONA MAY DAY HISTORY
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