One of my favorite classes I took in high school was Humanities - two semester-long English courses where we studied the literature, music, art, architecture, dance, and religions of Western cultures throughout history. It was a very hands-on class, where we often danced, sang, performed plays, and dressed up in historical costumes. Of course, it wouldn't have been Humanities without recognition of the traditions of May Day, a big celebration was planned for May first.
By a stroke of luck, the day the Advanced Placement Studio Art portfolios were due that year was the same day as our May Day event, and as I was also taking AP Art, I was excused from school for the entire day and didn't need to attend any of my classes. Unlike many of the AP tests, it doesn't take several hours to turn in a simple portfolio, so after I turned in it, I had the whole day to myself. And instead of choosing to spend it at home, I went back into school for the last two hours of the day, just to be there for the May Day celebration. I had Humanities sixth hour that semester, but I also had many friends who had it fifth hour, and because I was excused from my fifth hour class, I got to be there for both hours.
It was a beautiful (if slightly chilly) spring day. We were encouraged to wear Renaissance-inspired clothing - or at least springtime colors and floral prints if we didn't have anything else. A May Pole was erected, and everyone spent turns holding the long colored ribbons and weaving in and out of each other's paths in time to the music. There were also jousting matches. Somehow our teachers had procured two shopping carts and foam "swords," and we took turns riding in the carts (our "horses"), trying to poke each other with the foam swords as we flew past. It was one of the most fun days I'd ever had at school. :)
So this May Day, why not have your own party? Invite some friends over to enjoy the nice weather. If you're crafty, it's easy to make your own May Pole. Other fun ideas are to create an outdoor spring-themed scavenger hunt to celebrate the season, or play blindfolded guessing games, where you have smells and tastes of spring for your guests to figure out. Try fresh fruit, scented oils, fragrant flowers, spices, jellybeans, grass clippings, rainwater, mud, and anything else that reminds you of springtime.
Pick light springtime dishes to serve, such as fresh vegetables and fruits that become available in spring. Inexpensive appetizers of crackers and nuts are other great May Day choices. To drink, serve herbal teas and fruit punch.
Decorating is also easy for a May Day party. Gather fresh or fake flowers, pine cones, acorns, herbs, and vines to make garlands, wreaths, and table centerpieces. Use ribbons to decorate the backs of chairs. May Day is all about enjoy the weather, but if it happens to rain on the day of your party, there are plenty of ways to bring the outside indoors through decor. Hang parasols or umbrellas from the ceiling, and make sure to use plenty of greenery in your decorating!
By a stroke of luck, the day the Advanced Placement Studio Art portfolios were due that year was the same day as our May Day event, and as I was also taking AP Art, I was excused from school for the entire day and didn't need to attend any of my classes. Unlike many of the AP tests, it doesn't take several hours to turn in a simple portfolio, so after I turned in it, I had the whole day to myself. And instead of choosing to spend it at home, I went back into school for the last two hours of the day, just to be there for the May Day celebration. I had Humanities sixth hour that semester, but I also had many friends who had it fifth hour, and because I was excused from my fifth hour class, I got to be there for both hours.
It was a beautiful (if slightly chilly) spring day. We were encouraged to wear Renaissance-inspired clothing - or at least springtime colors and floral prints if we didn't have anything else. A May Pole was erected, and everyone spent turns holding the long colored ribbons and weaving in and out of each other's paths in time to the music. There were also jousting matches. Somehow our teachers had procured two shopping carts and foam "swords," and we took turns riding in the carts (our "horses"), trying to poke each other with the foam swords as we flew past. It was one of the most fun days I'd ever had at school. :)
So this May Day, why not have your own party? Invite some friends over to enjoy the nice weather. If you're crafty, it's easy to make your own May Pole. Other fun ideas are to create an outdoor spring-themed scavenger hunt to celebrate the season, or play blindfolded guessing games, where you have smells and tastes of spring for your guests to figure out. Try fresh fruit, scented oils, fragrant flowers, spices, jellybeans, grass clippings, rainwater, mud, and anything else that reminds you of springtime.
Pick light springtime dishes to serve, such as fresh vegetables and fruits that become available in spring. Inexpensive appetizers of crackers and nuts are other great May Day choices. To drink, serve herbal teas and fruit punch.
Decorating is also easy for a May Day party. Gather fresh or fake flowers, pine cones, acorns, herbs, and vines to make garlands, wreaths, and table centerpieces. Use ribbons to decorate the backs of chairs. May Day is all about enjoy the weather, but if it happens to rain on the day of your party, there are plenty of ways to bring the outside indoors through decor. Hang parasols or umbrellas from the ceiling, and make sure to use plenty of greenery in your decorating!
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