MAY DAY: Today is May Day, not the emergency call for help, but the first day of May which ushers in the celebration of flowers.

“May Day has been a traditional day of celebration for centuries, with some of the earliest appearing in pre-Christian times. 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,” said the National Day Calendar.

We remember as children making a small, cone-shaped basket with construction paper, picking a few wildflowers to put in it, and hanging it from the doorknob of the elderly lady next door.

There’s a few other celebrations around the world to mark the day.

“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.”

Here’s some fun ways to celebrate. 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. Fill a basket with flowers. Deliver flower bulbs to friends and neighbors. Make a May basket. Have fun with it and celebrate!