May Day, celebrated on May 1st, is an ancient holiday that welcomes the change of seasons. In the Northern Hemisphere it marks the return of spring (it takes awhile for spring to get to the Northern United States) and often involves dances around a maypole, the crowning of a May Queen and the creating of May Baskets. This holiday is still celebrated around the world but it is mostly forgotten in the US. It is my hope that this will change.
May Baskets are my favorite part of May Day. For the past few years, the children and I have left May Day Baskets anonymously on the doorsteps of friends and family. These simple baskets are made out of construction paper and contain spring treasures that we collect (flowers, rocks, pinecones, shells etc.), homemade cards that say, “Happy May Day” and treats that we bake. The kids love ringing the doorbell and running away before being seen.
May Day is a fun and simple holiday that is all about KINDNESS and celebrating the beauty of spring. Check out this post from Skip to My Lou for 10 May Day Basket ideas. If you want to learn more about the history of May Day Baskets, check out this NPR post.
Do you celebrate May Day? We’d love to see photos of your celebration.
Kids in Service 