31 Days to Celebrate in the Month of May

May Day celebrations are thrown to honor the coming of the spring season in the Northern hemisphere. Some traditions included partygoers dancing around the maypole, indulging in treats, and showering their loved ones with gifts. 

During the 19th century, May Day took on a new meaning. Born out of the movement for better working conditions in the United States, International Workers' Day was created to raise awareness of the appalling conditions men, women, and children worked under. On May 1, 1886, the American Federation of Labor officially mandated an eight-hour workday. 

Traditionally, truffles are made with a chocolate ganache center and are coated in chocolate, icing, and cocoa powder. Nontraditionally (but still deliciously), they can be filled with marshmallow cream, liqueur, fruit, or caramel. To celebrate this day in style, invite your friends over to sample some chocolatey truffles. 

The press informs the public, and World Press Freedom Day was started to raise awareness of the importance of freedom of the press and expression. No matter your political leanings or news outlet of choice, a free press is vital to all people and their knowledge of world happenings.

Birds are pretty amazing—some species can even develop a robust vocabulary. Many birds fly thousands of miles as they migrate, and they're even descendants of dinosaurs.

If you're a bird owner, celebrate Bird Day by giving some tasty treats to your feathered friend. If you don't have a bird for a pet, you can still learn some fun facts about baby birds.

Cinco de Mayo has some significant historical origins. The holiday commemorates the Mexican victory over the French during the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. Over time, it has evolved into a day of honoring and celebrating Mexican culture. 

If you want a more authentic way to celebrate Mexico on Cinco de Mayo, skip the margarita and sip on a Paloma (a cocktail made with tequila, grapefruit, lime, and soda water). You can also enjoy some corn tamales with tomatillo salsa, and fry some yucca root for a crunchy, salty side dish. 

International No Diet Day is the perfect time to indulge in some of your favorite foods. Swap your sad desk salad for a gooey grilled cheese with fries, a thin-crust pizza with your favorite toppings, or even a packed ice cream sundae.

Cosmopolitans were made famous by the HBO show "Sex and the City." Traditionally made with vodka, orange liqueur, lime juice, and cranberry juice, these shaken cocktails are the perfect combination of sweet and tart flavors. Order a cosmopolitan (or try making your own), and channel your inner Carrie Bradshaw for a trip back to 1990s New York City.

After weeks of spring wind and rain, it's finally time to celebrate May blossoms. In particular, irises deserve a special day—they are stunning flowers that add drama to a spring floral arrangements or perennial flower garden.

As adults, there are so few times to be truly rebellious, so you may as well take advantage when the opportunity presents itself. Be bold and use this day as a reason to tear the tags off your mattress.

Just before Mother's Day, it's time to celebrate anyone who helps raise your children. Use this day as a reminder to say thank you for the hard and important work they do.

Free parks and gardens are an incredible gift to the public. On National Public Gardens Day, pack a picnic lunch, take an afternoon snooze, admire your surroundings, and enjoy all of the beauty of your town's public parks or gardens.

From giving emotional, mental, and physical support to teaching important life skills, there are millions of reasons why moms are the best. Treat your mom (or a maternal figure in your life) to a homemade brunch, floral arrangement, or gift to show her how much you appreciate everything she does. 

Fair trade is an arrangement designed to help producers (usually in developing countries) achieve better trading conditions. These agreements typically include higher prices paid for goods and improved environmental and social standards for the workers. Many products will indicate that they are fair trade by adding special labels on their packaging. Fair Trade Day is the perfect time to examine what you buy and think about fair trade practices.

Whether it's covered in butter, stuffed with bacon and eggs, or filled with ice cream, there's no wrong way to eat a buttermilk biscuit. Plus, they're super easy to make at home.

Enjoy this day by indulging in chocolate chips. Whether eaten by the handful or baked into cookies, chocolate chips make everything better.

Even though Love a Tree Day is officially celebrated once a year, you should love trees every single day because they enable us to breathe. To show your appreciation, give your favorite tree a hug or plant a new one to be enjoyed in your yard.

Hummus is so simple—it's a delicious blend of chickpeas, garlic, tahini, and lemon juice. It tastes delicious on veggie sticks, chips and pretzels, sandwiches, burgers, and more. Plus, it's a great source of plant-based protein. You can jazz up your regular hummus recipe by adding pickled jalapenos, chopped olives, or roasted garlic to your blend for some extra flavor. 

In 1961, Armed Forces Day was declared a national holiday by John F. Kennedy. Use this day to thank a military member, past or present, for their service to our country.

Like the craft beer movement, whiskey is getting more and more popular. Tons of distilleries around the country are crafting flavorful, complex whiskeys, and developing some pretty inventive cocktails, too. 

Whether you like your whiskey neat or on the rocks, straight or paired with a mixer, treat yourself to two fingers in celebration of America's favorite brown liquor. 

Quiche Lorraine is made by combining eggs, bacon, swiss cheese, and onions and baking them in a golden crust. Enjoy this eggy delight for a savory brunch, paired with a bright salad for dinner, or sliced for a tasty lunch.

On National Memo Day, flex your leadership skills and send out a helpful work memo. You can even celebrate just for fun by writing a newsletter for friends and family. Or you could put some sticky notes in your kids' lunches, informing them of some fun facts about their food.

Whether you prefer it straight out of the bowl (or plastic cup) or in the center of a cake, vanilla pudding is a sweet, easy-to-make addition to many desserts.

With proper care, the average turtle can live between 30 and 40 years. Take some time on World Turtle Day to learn more about nature's oldest, and slowest, reptilian creatures. 

Asparagus is one of the first veggies to appear at the springtime farmer's markets. Try it roasted with garlic and your favorite seasonings, blended into a creamy soup, or scalloped with creamy cheddar sauce. 

Many people don't need the excuse of a holiday to drink a glass of wine. But if you do, National Wine Day is a pretty good reason. Pour a glass from your favorite bottle, or try a completely new varietal. You could also have fun serving themed flights (a sampling of various wines) from specific regions of the world.

Blueberry cheesecake is a decadent treat that should definitely be enjoyed on this day. Pick up a New York-style variety from your favorite bakery, or experiment with creating your own mini blueberry cheesecakes at home.

It's time for dining al fresco, vacations, and slathering on sunscreen. Considering skin cancer is the most common form of cancer among Americans, don't forget to protect your skin on this day and every time you're in the sun.

Nothing tastes as good as a juicy burger piled high with all the fixings. Whether you prefer classic beef patties with American cheese, creative Italian-style burgers, or delicious meatless burgers, this is the season for kicking back on the deck and enjoying.

Composting, or letting food and yard waste break down over time, can create super fertile soil to use in your backyard, garden, or potted plants. Give those earthworms a place to thrive and set up a composting station for your yard.

Use this day as a reminder to keep your May flowers watered when they're in need of a drink. Don't get overzealous and give them too much H2O as it could be their downfall.

If you're confused by the differences between macaroons and macarons, you're not alone. Fortunately, there is an easy way to distinguish between the two tasty desserts. Macaroons are coconut-based and limited in variety. Macarons are meringue-based and can be made in a wide range of colors and flavors.