"Tis like the birthday of the world,
When earth was born in bloom;
The light is made of many dyes,
The air is all perfume:
There's crimson buds, and white and blue,
The very rainbow showers
Have turned to blossoms where they fell,
And sown the earth with flowers."
-   Thomas Hood


Image courtesy of Victorian Traditions, "www.VictorianTraditions.com"

Little girls, dancing around the Maypole, dressed in white in a daisy field. Can't you imagine yourself there?   The hazy sun, birds chirping and the feel of cool earth between my toes.  Happy May Day!  This holiday marks the beginning of Summer in Europe.

Traditions of  May Day  include the Maypole and  May basket.  The Maypole is a tall pole adorned with ribbons and flowers.  A lucky girl is chosen to be Queen of the May.  The May basket or "Bringing in the May", is the gathering of branches and flowers.  They are placed in baskets along with sweets and surprises.  The baskets were placed on doorsteps or tied to doorknobs.  Doorbells were rung and children dashed away, leaving behind a herald of sun drenched days and nature's beauty.


Here's a May basket that's Earth friendly from Skip To My Lou's website: