It’s the first day of May. Birds are singing, bees are on the buzz, and young calves and chicks are gaining their legs.

May Day has a long history and tradition in England, some of which eventually came to America. Children would dance around the maypole, holding onto colorful ribbons. I remember doing this in elementary school.

Did you ever dance around the maypole as a child?

Another tradition is delivering flowers, seeds, or bulbs to neighbors. My mother was big about gifting her abundance to others. Ever heard of the May baskets? People would leave a paper basket or cone containing spring flowers and sweets on each other’s doorsteps, usually anonymously.

The May Day basket is still a cherished tradition for some Americans. To make a simple May basket, fold a piece of colored paper into the shape of a cone. Then fill it with wildflowers! You could also fill a real basket with little gifts such as flower seed packets, baked cookies, candies, and pretty trinkets. 

Why not celebrate May Day? 

Here are some joyful May Day traditions marking the return of spring and the renewed gift of life. 

1. Among the many superstitions associated with May Day was the belief that washing the face with dew on the morning of May 1 would beautify the skin and bring good luck. Now here in Kentucky, sometimes that involves snow, but our family has a long tradition we call the Rules of May. Like planting potatoes or gifting flowers to friends. We get wet.

Our mother always insisted if we jumped in the water on May 1^st, we would not get sick for a whole year. Of course as children after being cooped up all winter, warm or cold, it was a fun challenge. Growing older, I’ve skipped a few years. Years that I ended up sick more often too! So whether folklore or not, I followed tradition this year.  
  

• Kids go barefoot on May Day for the first time. Our Amish friends started a little early on that one, but whatever your age today, walk barefoot in the morning dew (or snow?). Encourage the kids to do the same!
   
• Beekeepers traditionally moved bees on May 1. 
• Traditionally, farmers planted turnips on this day. Other folklore has it that, to protect cucumbers from insects, they should be planted on May 1. For best results, they should be planted naked! For the record, I’ve never done that.
   

Do you celebrate May Day? Share your traditions in the comments below.