5/1/09

Did you get your May Day Kiss?

How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.  
Anne Frank

The girls were sneaking around in the our neighborhood, going from door to door, as they didn't want to be caught - lest they get a big kiss!

SMOOCH!

For May Day, my daughter and her friend practiced a random act of kindness. 


Not only did they have a special time together, but using supplies that we had in our home (and a quick run to the market up the street for flowers), they whipped up little May Day flower baskets for our neighbors! They went around our neighborhood and secretly hung them on the front doors. 


The trick is this - you don't want the neighbor to see you! If you get caught, you are supposed to get a kiss.


I love May Day. 


It’s full of giving, love and surprise! As the girls were making their baskets, I read to them about other traditions around the world.


On May 1st, people in Hawaii celebrate their own version of May Day; calling it Lei Day. People give Hawaiian leis to each other. They put them around each other's necks and sometimes give a traditional kiss.

In 
France, cows play an important role in May Day. The cows are led in parades with many flowers attached to their tails. The people watching try to touch the cows; it is believed to be good luck.

In 
Germany, one tradition is for boys to secretly plant a May tree in front of the window of the girl they love.

In 
London, May Day is celebrated with the children going from house to house. They bring flowers and get pennies in return. The pennies are then thrown into a wishing well. Then they are donated to charity.

D
id you get your May Day kiss?

Happy May Day!  Surprise a friend with flowers, or a phone call, or even a big HUG today. Or tell them how much you appreciate them!

Favorite 'Blog' Friday
I'd say Sandy Toes is way too generous with her words, but check out her 4RE Friday feature on Shell in Your Pocket!

The 5 winners!
Congrats to winners of the Kraft crackers and Philadelphia Cream Cheeses: Joy of Desserts, My Five Men, Southern Inspiration, Lynn (no blog), & Melody Warnick.
(A repost from 2008)

19 comments:

Shell in your Pocket said...

How very sweet. I remember when I taught school...I loved May Day and all the fun activities I did with my 2nd graders.
sandy toe

Marci said...

Happy May Day! Sweet baskets~

Jenny said...

This post made me smile! I remember doing the same thing when I was a little girl.

Ruby Red Slippers said...

I didn't know all the stories behind May day...and today is my littlest ones birthday-I passed a big smacker his way...

Ruby Red Slippers said...

(I found you because of Sandy Toes, btw-)

Stacey @ The Blessed Nest said...

How darling! Seriously, I don't think that those two could be any sweeter!! :)

Jules from "The Roost" said...

What a great tradition! That is SO sweet of the girls!

Darlene said...

I came over to visit you from Sandy Toes blog. What a fun, cute tradition. I know everyone will have a big smile on their face after receiving a May Day basket!

Andrea@Sgt and Mrs Hub said...

I LOVE May day... to me, it has always signaled Spring's arrival.

Your girl is just so sweet, Sandy.

-Andrea

Julie Gillies said...

What a sweet post, Sandy. I'm celebrating May Day at my oldest son's home waaaay up in Tennessee...so I'm giving May Day hugs and kisses to my 4 grandkiddos. LOTS of fun! :)

P.S. I'll e-mail you next week after I arrive home.

Jen - Balancing Beauty and Bedlam said...

YEA - I love this. Oh my - Such sweet pictures.
Easter week I did a post on this and included a PDF file to print off the template if anyone is interested. It's under Traditions that Build Character. :)

Betsy Brock said...

I'm so excited to be one of the 5 winners! Thank you so much!

I haven't gotten my May Day kiss yet....better go remedy that before the day is over! :)

Holly Campbell said...

How sweet! I have always wanted to start that tradition with my girls-giving secret treats to friends and neighbors, but I have not. How blessed your girls are to have you as their mom!

Elizabeth said...

This is sweet and something that I wanted to do with my children, but I turned off sick...H.m.m.m.m. I wonder if I could just do it this weekend, even though it isn't May Day anymore.

Lovely pictures! Thanks.
Elizabeth

P.S. (JUST for the record, you are my favorite entertaining blog!!)

ellen b. said...

Such a wonderful act of kindness!! Bet the girls felt great when they were done :0)

~nanashouse~ said...

I can't believe I've been reading your blog for so long. I distinctly rembemer your last May Day Blog entry! Keep up the great work!

Unknown said...

sandy, my 5 year old did the same thing yesterday and what a wonderful tradition of giving. she had a memory making experience that is just so sweet!

Alisa said...

We dropped off many a cone, got caught a few times (during and after the fact) but never got a kiss. I am going to go share that part of the tradition with the kids. That may or may not help keep them from getting caught next year!

Mrs. Cozy Home said...

How wonderful -- I've never celebrated May Day and now I want to start!! I love th eidea of putting flowers on people's doors -- no telling how you might change someone's day.