MAY: CELEBRATIONS & FESTIVALS

People like to celebrate things that are important to them. Some celebrations are individual celebrations e.g. Birthdays and others are shared by large social groups e.g. Christmas.
At the top of this page you will see a list of possible celebrations and festivals.

When writing about a festival or/and celebration you may like to consider the following:



Customs/Traditions/Rituals:

Many celebrations and festivals contain expected activities.

Examples:

• At a wedding it is traditional for the bride to carry a bouquet of flowers and for the best man to give a speech at the wedding reception.
  
• At a christening the priest will wet the baby with water from the font.
  
• A big part of many celebrations involves people taking photographs or film of the events and people involved to act as a keepsake and record.
  

Food & drink:

Celebrations and festivals often involve certain foods and drinks.

Examples:

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On a person’s Birthday it is usual to have a Birthday cake with candles to blow out.

At a Harvest Festival people often bring offerings of fruit, vegetables and bread.

At many celebrations people toast the honoured person/people with a glass of champagne.

Costumes & dress code:

Many celebrations and festivals require people to dress a certain way.

Examples:

• At a Halloween party people dress up as ghosts, skeletons, witches and wizards.
• At a wedding it is usual for all guests to be dressed smartly. The bride and bridesmaids will often have elaborate dresses and the groom will wear a suit. (Although this is not true for all weddings)
• A historical festival may see everyone dress in historical costumes.
• At a University graduation the graduates wear special caps and gowns.
  

Decorations:

Most celebrations and festivals use decorations.

Examples:

• A Birthday party often has balloons & banners.
  
• A May Day celebration may include flags and flowers. Posters may be put up to advertise the event.
  
• At Christmas we decorate trees and rooms with colourful ornaments.
  
• Certain symbols are often used in decorations such as a cross being used in Christian festivals.

Awards & competitions:

Some festivals and celebrations include competitions and the presentation of awards. A celebration of achievement may involve a ceremony where a medal, certificate or trophy is given.

Examples:

• When a person retires from a job a party may be held and the person may be presented with an engraved tankard.
  
• A student who has worked particularly hard at school may be awarded a certificate at an end of term party.
  
• A flower festival may have a competition for the best flower arrangement.
  
• A horticultural festival may include a prize for the largest vegetable in a category.
  
  
  Music:

Music frequently plays a part in celebrations and festivals.

Examples:

• At a Birthday party people will sing ‘Happy Birthday’ to the person whose Birthday it is.
  
• At ‘obby ‘oss day in Padstow there are traditional songs.
  
• At Christmas we sing Christmas songs and carols at school, church and community events.
  
• All around the country, especially in the Summer, festivals are held to celebrate music. This music may be popular music (e.g. Glastonbury) or classical (e.g. proms in the park).
• There may be local summer fetes in honour of summer that feature a brass band or school rock group.
  

Dance:

Dancing often plays a part in celebrations and festivals.

Examples:

• May Day celebrations and festivals traditionally include dancing around a Maypole.
  
• Parties will often include dancing to a disco or live music.
  
• At a wedding it is customary for the bride and groom to have the first dance at their wedding reception.
  

Gifts & cards:

To commemorate a celebration gifts and greetings cards are sometimes given.

Examples:

• At Christmas we give friends and family presents and cards.
  
• If someone has moved into a new home they may hold a house warming celebration. In this case we may take them a ‘New Home’ card and perhaps a plant or bottle of wine.
  
• It is common to receive chocolate eggs as an Easter gift.
  
  

Displays/Exhibitions/Processions:

Special displays and presentations are often organised to enhance a celebratory event.

Examples:

• A town’s summer celebration may include a procession with floats. Each float may be decorated to reflect a certain theme e.g. the local playschool may decide to make their float look like a ship and then all dress up as pirates.
  
• On New Year’s Eve part of the festivities often include fireworks.
  
• A celebration of achievement may include a display of someone’s work or a film of their life.
  
• Festivals sometimes include a marching band or dancers that will proceed through the streets of the town/city.
  
  
  
  

Entertainment:

Some celebrations and festivals include organised entertainment.

Examples:

• A children’s party may include a clown or magician.
  
• A festival may have a stall with a face painter or balloon artist to help keep children entertained.
  
• A band or orchestra may entertain people at parties and events.
  
• At a school celebration the drama club may perform a sketch.
  

Perhaps you may like to write about a special celebration you were part of.

Or maybe you’d like to imagine what your ideal Birthday celebration would include.

If you’re writing a story, perhaps it can be set at a festival or celebration.

Remember to consider all the sights, sounds, smells and tastes involved.

Did you eat too much Birthday cake or feel really hungry when you smelt the onions frying on the hotdog stand?

What were the feelings surrounding the celebrations? E.g. excitement or anxiety.
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We look forward to reading your writing.

Send your writing to bodminbookworm@aol.com .