​Cinco de Mayo is a traditional Mexican holiday with a fascinating history—but perhaps even more interesting is the fact that it's now become more popular in the United States than in Mexico. The holiday commemorates the Mexican army's victory over France at the Battle of Puebla in 1862, but it's primarily celebrated in Puebla, which is just one of Mexico's 31 states. So how did the holiday come to be such a large celebration in America? 

After the Mexican Civil War in 1915, many Mexican people came to the United States and settled in the southern states. When they came to America, they brought with them their customs, traditions, and holidays—including Cinco de Mayo. 

So the American people began celebrating Cinco de Mayo alongside their Mexican neighbors, but oftentimes they didn't really understand what they were celebrating; to them it was just a fun celebration of Mexican culture. Over the last hundred or so years, the holiday has taken off in America, with many people using it as an excuse to eat tacos and drink margaritas, rather than celebrating what the holiday actually stands for.  

​If you've celebrated this way in the past, don't sweat it: Take this as an opportunity to learn more about the history of the holiday and plan a more appropriate celebration this year. 
 

​1. Share the Real Story
Many Americans are quick to celebrate with tacos and margaritas without understanding the cultural significance of the holiday. Before partaking in any celebrations, take a few minutes to learn about the holiday and educate others you're celebrating with. "Changing stereotypes is something that we need help with, and if you do your part, we can share how awesome the truth behind Cinco de Mayo is," Sandoval says.

​2. Support Mexican Businesses 
While there are plenty of chain restaurants that offer Cinco de Mayo deals, Sandoval suggests supporting locally instead: Skip the Taco Bell drive-thru and order carry-out from a local Mexican-owned business in your area. "Whether it's your local Mexican Restaurant, or a local Mexican pottery store, supporting small business owners helps not just your local economy but it helps to support the Mexicans who's culture you enjoy celebrating," she says.

3. Support Mexican Arts and Museums 
This holiday isn't just about the food! "So often we dismiss the value of true Mexican artesanías," Sandoval says. "If you have a local art gallery, museum, or artist, show up and support those artists and museums that are honoring Mexican history and culture." If you're not familiar with any in your area, a quick internet search can help you find local venues. 

​4. Eat the Food!
It's important to make sure you're celebrating Mexican heritage and not treating the day as just an excuse to go out for margaritas—but food is such a large part of the Mexican culture, that it can be one of the best (and tastiest!) ways to celebrate. Order carry-out at a local restaurant, or try making your own at home. Sandoval recommends Mole Poblano, a spicy and delicious traditional Mexican dish that originates from the city of Puebla, or Enchiladas Poblanas that are made with poblano chiles.

​5. Create A Cinco De Mayo Playlist
Tune into the hottest Mexican musical artists using Amazon Music Unlimited or Spotify. Find a playlist that already exists or create your own. This is a great way to have some seriously fun music in the background while also supporting Mexican musicians at the same time!

6. ​Set Out Some Festive Decor
Hang some papel picado, set up streamers, go crazy! There are plenty of ways to decorate your home for Cinco de Mayo while still respecting Mexican culture—Just think or do some research before you toss sombreros everywhere. If you’re looking for generally cheerful, colorful decorations, the Auihiay 32-Piece Fiesta Party Decorations Kit is a great option.

7. Cook Your Own Mexican-Inspired Recipe
​If you’d rather create your own fiesta dishes, try out some classic Mexican-inspired recipes. This is a fun way to get in the kitchen and make a delicious meal that also celebrates Mexican culture. Try researching some authentic recipes, too, if you want to really lean into the day. You might be surprised just how much you love traditional Mexican cuisine.

8. Learn Some Traditional Mexican Dance Moves
Take some time—maybe while listening to that Cinco de Mayo playlist you just made—to learn some traditional Mexican dance moves. Jarabe Tapatío (the Mexican Hat Dance) or La Conquista (which narrates the story of the Spanish conquest) are good places to start. Or, if you’d rather just sit on your couch, you can always watch videos of the dances as well. We reccomend the Los Voladores de Papantla dance, where participants scale a 30-foot pole. (!!!)

9. ​Make A Margarita Bar
Break out the margarita glasses, some margarita mix, your fruits of choice and (of course) some tequila. Set out all the ingredients and let everyone in your household design their own ideal margarita. From strawberry and mango to pineapple and blueberry, there’s no limit to the fun combinations you can create for a night filled with margaritas. BTW, if you’re low on supplies, the Thoughtfully Skinny Margarita Set is the perfect all-in-one buy.

10. Have A Zoom Fiesta
If you don’t have people to celebrate with at home—or even if you do—gather your friends on a group Zoom call, set some fun Zoom backgrounds and have a margarita toast. You can play some fun music, create a Mexican-themed drinking game or just chat while eating Mexican food. Cinco de Mayo is better celebrated with others—even if it’s virtually.

11. DIY A Piñata
If you’re feeling a little crafty, why not try making your own piñata? You just need cardboard, poster board, tissue paper, glue and tape for this easy and fun DIY. Plus, once it’s created, you can fill it with candy and let everyone in your home take a stab at breaking it.

12. Learn About The History Of Cinco De Mayo
Take some time this Cinco de Mayo to learn about why it’s celebrated. Sure, this might not sound like a fun party activity, but it totally can be. You can create a trivia drinking game out of it or watch videos that explain the history in an entertaining way. Knowing the history behind Cinco de Mayo can help you celebrate the holiday in a thoughtful and educated way (that definitely still includes tequila).

Sources: Better Homes & Gardens by Emily VanSchmus March 4, 2021 and StyleCaster by Maggie Griswold April 30, 2020.

Want to make your own gorgeous green and gold St. Patrick's Day decorations? In search of easy St. Patrick's Day crafts for kids? Lucky you! These easy projects will look adorable on display in your home and keep both kids and adults entertained and in crafting bliss. There are ideas here for all skill levels, from beginner to the semi-professional. Whether you’re looking for a quick, easy craft like printable lunch box jokes to brighten your child’s day, or an elegant DIY shamrock wreath to hang on your door this is something is this gallery for all types.

Pot of Gold Hanging Mobile: Gold, or mini yellow pom-poms? Either way, craft this DIY hanging mobile and lots of luck and riches will surely come your way!​

​To make: Cut 1-inch-wide strips of paper from colored craft paper. Use a hole-punch to make a hole in the middle of each strip of paper; stack paper in the order of the rainbow. Thread a piece of twine through holes, knotting it just above and below the paper to hold paper in place. Fold a piece of black craft paper in half and cut out a pot shape, so that you have two identical pieces. Cut out two dome-shaped pieces of yellow craft paper and sandwich between the black pieces, gluing everything together. Glue mini yellow pom-poms to the yellow paper. Punch a hole at the top of the yellow dome, and thread twine through, securing with a knot. Cut out mini clovers from green craft paper and glue to the front and back of the pot; outline with a white pen if desired.

Mini Four-Leaf Clover Pin: Proudly display your Irish pride with this DIY clover pin.

To make: Roll out green oven-bake clay to 3/8-inch thick. Cut out shape with a mini shamrock cookie cutter. Bake per manufacturer's instructions. When cool, brush a light layer of craft glue on the shamrock and sprinkle with green glitter. Glue a brooch pin on the back.

​Tissue paper Four-Leaf Clover Ornament: This sweet four-leaf clover ornament will look equally cute hanging from a magnet on the fridge or on the front door. Make it as small or large as desired.

To make: Tear light green, dark green, and white tissue paper into small pieces. Lay pieces in between self-sealing laminating pouches; seal. Cut out a four-leaf clover shape. Punch a small hole in the top of the clover with a small hole-punch. Thread ribbon through the hole and hang.

Pot of Gold Mason Jar Gift Idea: Fill up these cute Mason jars with chocolate coins to remind your loved ones that they make you feel lucky every day.
Get the tutorial at Polka Dot Chair.

Rainbow & Gold Lucky Sign: You'll want to keep this adorable sign up all year, especially with the fun gold accents.
Get the tutorial at Landeelu.

​Paper Shamrock Wreath: All you need are different scraps of paper to create this cute shamrock wreath.
Get the tutorial at The Craft Patch.

St. Patrick's Day Lunch Box Jokes: Brighten your child's day with these silly St. Patrick's Day jokes and riddles that will have them giggling until they get home from school.
Get the tutorial at Artsy Fartsy Mama.

​Paper Potted Shamrocks: Give your nearest and dearest a little luck of the Irish with some paper four-leaf clovers in matching mini pots.
Get the tutorial at Design Improvised.

​St. Patrick's Day Pencil Toppers: At last, the magical homework incentive your little ones will love—green clover pencil toppers.
Get the tutorial at Laura Looloo.

​DIY Fabric Wreath: You only need a bit of green fabric and a wire frame to bring this wreath to life... because even your front door could use some holiday love.
Get the tutorial at A Mom's Impression.

Source: Country Living Magazine by Charlyne Mattox Mar. 10, 2021

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​It’s not just your significant other who should get a special Valentine’s Day wish or message this
February 14. Pass thoughtful, warmhearted notes and sentiments to your friends and family members with one of these DIY Valentine’s Day cards. They are sure to warm their hearts and bring a smile to their faces. If you’re looking to get your kids involved with crafting a heartfelt card, there are lots of ideas that fill the bill. 

​Button Heart Photo Card: Tell your partner how much you love them by transforming a plain note card into a heartwarming photo card that's embellished with sweet buttons. To make: cut a heart shape in the front of a plain note card. Glue a photograph to the inside of the card, centering it in the opening. Glue buttons around the outline of the heart cutout.

​Vegetable Watercolor Valentine's Cards: Tell them you love them with a hand -painted card and clever saying. Make a loose watercolor drawing of fruits or vegetables on the front of blank note cards and add a quippy sayings—such as "You are Rooted in My Heart," "Olive You," and "I Love you From My Head Tomatoes."

​Fingerprint Heart Tree Card: Your kids will love getting a little messy making this creative card that will look so beautiful, you'll want to hang it up. Get the tutorial at Easy Peasy and Fun.

​Heart Confetti Cards: Use a heart-shaped hole puncher to make your own confetti hearts to sprinkle on the front of these sweet cards. Get the tutorial at Design Improvised.

Tulip in a Heart Pop-Up Card: Enlist the help of your kids to make these beautiful pop-up cards that will make any recipient smile. Get the tutorial at Easy Peasy and Fun.

Printable Pin Cards: Use these colorful pin cards to give your Valentine a sweet memento for the holiday. You can gift these to your "galentines" with some fun pins, like this blogger did. Get the tutorial at Club Crafted.

Funny Valentine's Day Cards: Show your partner that you care with a hilarious Valentine's Day card. These messages are too relatable! Get the tutorial at Landeelu.

Love Bug Valentine's Day Card: Your kids will love putting this little love bug card together and writing messages to their friends under the wings. Get the tutorial at Kid Friendly Things to Do.

Valentine's Day Necklace Cards: Add a special touch to your Valentine's Day cards by attaching a DIY necklace. Get the tutorial at Sarah Hearts.

​Printable Bee My Valentine Cards: These instructions offer a few different bee-themed Valentine's Day cards, like this one with a bee pencil, as well as one with Burt's Bees lip balm. Get the tutorial at The Polka Dot Chair.

Source: Country Living Magazine by Charlyne Mattox Jan 7, 2021

May Day is the perfect holiday to celebrate during our time in quarantine. All you need to do is leave someone a May basket and then be on your merry way! Often overlooked, the May Day holiday (this Friday) used to be celebrated in communities across America. The fun (and timely) point in anonymously leaving a May basket at the door of a relative, friend or neighbor is to trot away without having been seen. Bringing May baskets back is a perfectly inspired way to let your peeps know you're thinking about them from a safe distance. 

The May 1st tradition of welcoming the arrival of warmer weather in the Northern Hemisphere dates back many hundreds of years and has been observed in different ways. In Medieval times people danced around a maypole, a pole decorated with ribbons and streamers, and placed baskets of flowers at the base in what historians believe was a fertility ritual. A more recent way to celebrate is by leaving a May basket. A May basket is something to be hung on the door or left on the porch. Made of paper generally, it can contain almost anything.  Some ideas are to fill it with small presents such as flowers, candy or notes. May baskets are a sweet way to convey your best wishes and love. It is hung at the door of anybody you want to spread cheer to. When done the hanger simply knocks and departs. 

To create a May basket you can use a basket you have on hand, or make one out of paper. If you have little ones at home get them involved too. Decorate the basket with crayons, markers or paint in bright colors. Then fill the basket with whatever small presents you'd like. Flowers are a traditional favorite. You can pick dandelions or any other flowers in your yard that are springing up now. Next simply deliver your basket to your loved one's door. Happy May Day! 
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