May Holidays & Celebrations

May 1^st

May Day

The first day of May is associated with a time of welcoming spring.

Try these Family Fun Activities to Welcome Spring throughout the month of May.

Maypole Day

May 1^st is also called Maypole Day. Dancing around the Maypole is a custom that dates back to the ancient Romans. The Romans had festivals in honor of Flora, their goddess of flowers. They decorated pine trees, which were considered to be sacred, with flowers.

The Maypole custom in England is to decorate the top of a pole with flowers, attach ribbons to the top and allow children to wrap the ribbons around the pole as they sing and dance circling the Maypole.

So today is the day to sing and dance around the trees and frolic among the flowers or create your own Maypole fun tradition.

May 5^th

Boys’ Day in Japan

In Japan, May 5^th is Boys’ Day, a festival that is centuries old. The traditions involve flying a paper or cloth “carp” streamer for each male child in the family. The largest carp is flown on top and represents the oldest son. The carp is a symbol of strength, courage and determination.

Children’s Day in Japan

In 1948 the government declared May 5^th as Children’s Day, honoring both boys and girls.

You can find family fun Free Carp Printables here for printing carp kite kits, bookmarks or stationary.

Cinco de Mayo

Cinco de Mayo is a Mexican celebration that honors the defeat of the French attacks in Puebla, Mexico on May 5^th 1862. Cinco de Mayo is a colorful day of festivals and fun.

Create your own Cinco de Mayo celebrations with these Cinco de Mayo party ideas.

Homemade Cinco de Mayo Party Decorations

DIY Maracas for Cinco de Mayo

Create some cool refreshing family fun for Cinco de Mayo with this recipe for Aqua Fresca, a popular Mexican fiesta drink.

Aqua Fresca Recipe for Cinco de Mayo

4 cups of seedless watermelon

2 tbs. honey

Splash of lime juice

Ice

Put the watermelon in a blender and pour into the pitcher through a strainer. Add in a splash of limejuice and a tablespoon of honey and pour into cups with ice.

This Cinco de Mayo drink recipe has half the calories of most fruit juices and a full day’s supply of vitamin C.

Second Sunday in May

Mother’s Day

In the United States, Canada, and Australia, Mother’s are honored on the second Sunday of May. In years past, it was a common tradition for people to wear a colored carnation if their mother was living and a white carnation if she was not.

Try these fun Mother’s Day crafts.

Homemade Wreath for Mother’s Day using Seed Packets

Vintage Clothespin Magnets for Mother’s Day

May 30th

Joan of Arc Day

Joan of Arc, as she is remembered in English, was Jeanne d’Arc, a young French peasant who heard voices from heaven urging her to save warring France. After freeing the city of Orleans from the English, Joan of Arc led the French army to victory in four other battles. She was captured by the English, thrown into prison and tried as a witch and on May 30, 1431 she was burned at the stake in the market. The Roman Catholic Church declared Joan of Arc a saint and honors her on May 30, the day of her death.

Last Monday in May

Memorial Day

Memorial Day is a day honoring those who died in war. It is a day to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice. It was originally celebrated on May 30, 1868 to honor those who died in the Civil War. Today Memorial Day is celebrated on the last Monday in May, creating a long Memorial Day weekend. It is also called Decoration Day because the graves of the fallen are decorated with flags, flowers or wreaths.

Sources:

365 Days of Celebration & Praise by Julie Lavendar

Holidays and Birthdays, World Book Child Craft, 1988

http://www.activityvillage.co.uk/childrens_day_japan.htm