31 Reasons to Celebrate in May

May Day celebrations, or major outdoor parties thrown to celebrate the coming of spring season in the Northern Hemisphere, go back thousands of years. Party goers would dance around the maypole, indulge in treats and shower their loved ones with gifts. 

In the 19th century, however, May Day took on a totally new meaning. Born out of the movement for better working conditions (and an eight hour workday) 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. 

So, how can you celebrate this May Day? Ditch work a little bit early and enjoy some dining (or imbibing) al fresco. 

Traditionally, truffles are made with a chocolate ganache center and are coated in chocolate, icing, and cocoa powder. Untraditionally (but still deliciously), they can be filled with marshmallow, liqueur, fruit, or caramel. 

So, if you want to feel a little extra fancy today, raise that pinkie and enjoy some chocolatey truffles. 

The press tells us a lot–from stories about corruption, injustice, and cruelty, to stories about sweet service animals or cute babies. World Press Freedom Day was started to raise awareness of the importance of freedom of the press and freedom of expression. No matter your political leanings or news outlet of choice, free press is vital to people–and their knowledge of world happenings–everywhere. 

Birds are pretty amazing. Why? 

1. They can fly! 
2. Some species of birds can develop a pretty robust vocabulary. 
3. They migrate south (and home) each winter. (How do they know where to go?)
4. They're descendants of dinosaurs!

If you're a bird owner, celebrate Bird Day with some tasty (but healthy!) treats for your feathered friend. If you're not a bird owner, read up on some fun facts about baby birds. They're super cute and fascinating!

Cinco de Mayo has some serious historical origins–it's observed to commemorate the Mexican victory of the French Empire during the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. Over time, however, it has evolved into a day of honoring Mexican culture and celebrating all of the wonderful things about the country. 

So, 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), trade your burrito (which, arguably, isn't really a Mexican food!) for corn tamales with tomatillo salsa, and fry or bake yucca root for a crunchy, salty side. 

Yet another day of indulging may seem unnecessary after noshing on corn tamales and fried yucca, but trust us: It totally is necessary. Swap your sad desk salad for a gooey grilled cheese with fries, a burger piled high with your favorite fixings, or even a packed ice cream sundae.

You've earned it. 

The true origin of cosmopolitans is a subject of debate–many believe it originated in Miami some time during the 1980s–but we all know who made the cosmo the famous cocktail it is today: Carrie Bradshaw from the HBO show Sex and the City, of course. 

Traditionally made with vodka, orange liqueur, lime juice, and cranberry juice, cosmopolitans can be a little too sweet for many tastes. Check out this recipe for a cosmopolitan that's perfect for your preferences, grab your Manolos (or, if you're like most of us, a regular old pair of heels) and channel your inner-Carrie Bradshaw for a trip back to 1990s New York City.

March winds and April showers bring forth May flowers! After two months of wind and rain, it's finally time to celebrate spring blooms. Although irises really begin to bloom in late winter to early spring, they can add some major color to your spring floral arrangements, flower boxes or hanging flower baskets.

As adults, there are so few times to be truly rebellious. But today, my friends, is that day. Be bold and tear the tags off your mattress! It's not like the manufacturer is going to know, anyway. 

You don't have to be a regular Ernest Hemingway or Jane Austen to create a book that's all your own. From self-published novels, to ornate family scrapbooks, to super organized bullet journals, there are hundreds of ways to put your words (or pictures, or both!) to paper.

Plus, having a book you created with your own hands on your bookshelf is a totally cool brag.

Free parks and gardens are an incredible gift to the public. They provide a (free!) place to play with the family, exercise, picnic, take an afternoon snooze, or just kick back and admire your surroundings. Today, pack a picnic lunch and enjoy all of the beauty of your town's public parks or gardens. 

No other activity says "summer is so close!" like a few rounds of miniature golf. Even if your golf skills don't rival those of Tiger Woods, we say: Hit the course, eat an ice cream cone (or drink a beer!) and bask in the late spring sun. A little friendly competition with friends and family never hurt anyone, anyway. 

From giving us the emotional, mental and physical support we need to traverse everyday life, to teaching us important life skills (like shaving, doing taxes, and scheduling dentist appointments), there are literally millions of reasons why moms are the dang best.

Treat your mom to a homemade brunch, floral arrangement, or gift (or all three!) to show her how much you appreciate everything she does. 

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!

Even if you're not a scientist (or little kid), there's no denying it: Dinosaurs are awesome. But how does one actually celebrate Dinosaur Day? By making dinosaur crafts, dinosaur eggs, and dinosaur balloon animals, obviously! You might as well eat some dino kale while you're at it, too. 

Even though it's only celebrated once a year, we should really love trees every single day. Why? They enable us to breathe. Now, go hug a tree and express your gratitude. 

Hummus is so simple–it's just a blend of chickpeas, garlic, tahini, and lemon juice–but it's so delicious on veggie sticks, chips and pretzels, sandwiches, burgers and more. Plus, it's a great source of plant-based protein!

Want to jazz up your regular hummus recipe? Try adding pickled jalapenos, chopped olives, roasted garlic, or even everything bagel seasoning to your blend for some extra flavor. 

No matter how you slice it, fold it, and nom it, it's hard to argue that there's a more perfect food than pizza. It combines the three most important food groups (bread, cheese, and sauce), it's handheld and portable, and the possibilities for toppings are endless! 

Whip up a classic Margherita with sauce, mozz and basil, or try a more inventive pizza recipe like pulled pork with barbecue sauce, Mediterranean-inspired pizza, or pizza topped with Spanish chorizo. 

Like the craft beer movement, whisky is getting more and more popular with craft drinkers. And for good reason! Tons of distilleries around the country are crafting flavorful, complex whiskies, and developing some pretty inventive cocktails, too. 

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

If you've ever baked from scratch, you know how hard it can actually be! The chemical reactions that occur between baking ingredients actually make it more like a science. So next time you take a big bite into a gooey brownie, massive chocolate chip cookie, or fruit-packed pie, take a moment to appreciate the science behind the deliciousness!

Skip the boring work memo and leave a friend or family a fun note today! Put a note in your kids' lunches, leave a sweet (but short!) love note for your partner or send one to your best bud. 

Love it or hate it, this polarizing dessert has its very own day in May. Whether you prefer it straight out of the bowl (or plastic cup), in the center of a cake or paired with fruit, vanilla pudding makes a sweet, easy-to-make and affordable addition to many desserts. 

Did you know, with proper care, the average turtle can live between 30 and 40 years? Today, read up on some of nature's oldest–and slowest–reptilian creatures. 

We're just going to come out and say it: Asparagus makes many peoples' pee smell funny.

But that doesn't mean you shouldn't eat it! Try it roasted with garlic and your favorite seasonings, blended into a creamy soup, or scalloped with creamy cheddar sauce. 

Many of us don't actually need a national holiday to drink a glass of wine (or two). But if you do, National Wine Day is a pretty good reason to knock a few back!

If you celebrate a little too hard, however, you might want to check out these hangover remedies.

If you put some fruit on top of a cheesecake, is it really a dessert anymore? We argue that blueberry cheesecake is actually a breakfast item–or, if you want to get very technical, one of your daily servings of fruit.

You can get really fancy and try it as a fudge flavor!

Summer is upon us! That means it's time for dining al fresco, vacations and slathering on the SPF. Considering skin cancer is the most common form of cancer among Americans, you need to start protecting your skin–today! 

Nothing quite says "it's summertime and also we're in America" like 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, it's the season for kicking back on the deck and nomming. 

Did you know there's a super easy, affordable way to help the environment... using your trash? 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. Here's how to start your own compost!

Keep your May flowers looking fresh by giving them a little extra TLC today! (Just don't get overzealous and give them too much H2O.)

Some consider the macaroon a delicious dessert, while others consider it the perfect Instagram fodder. No matter your stance, don your beret and indulge in a few of these sweet treats today. 

Still confused by the differences between macaroons and macarons? You're not alone–but here's how to distinguish between the two tasty desserts.