Celebrate May Day

Today is May Day, so here's a little guide to what that means and what you can do to celebrate: 

May Day is an old pagan holiday that has been celebrated since ancient Roman times, when revelers would celebrate the upcoming growing season and honor Flora, the goddess of flowers.

The best-known May Day tradition is the maypole, a tall pole with ribbons attached at the top. Dancers, each holding a ribbon, weave their way around the base of the pole, making a unique, braided pattern. You need not make your own maypole at home, however, to celebrate the holiday — try this tradition from the The Original Girl's Handy Book published in 1887: There is "a very pretty custom observed in Merrie England of fastening bunches of flowering shrubs and branches upon the doors of neighbors," the author writes of the (then) surviving tradition in New England, of "hanging upon the door-knobs of friends spring-offerings in the shape of small baskets filled with flowers."

Why not fill the baskets with flowers and food? Get crafty and create little baskets filled with the favorite snacks of your family, friends, and co-workers and hang them upon their doors at home or at work to celebrate the turn of the season! 

For a few May Day crafting tips, head to A Field Journal.