If you’re in the mood to spice up your May and banish the mid-month monotony, get ready to embrace the wild, the wacky, and the wonderful world of quirky holidays you never knew you needed in your life. We’re talking a line-up that includes everything from celebrating those chocolatey nuggets of joy lurking in your biscuits, to showing some leafy love to trees, and even raising a pita (or two) to the glory of hummus. If you thought May was just about May Day and bank holiday BBQs, get ready for a rewriting of your diary and possibly your waistline.
Celebrating Superheroes In Scrubs: International Nurses Day
Let’s kick things off by donning our imaginary capes and giving a standing ovation (from the comfort of our breakfast table) to the true superheroes among us—nurses! On international nurses day, 12 May, the world unites to tip its collective hat, stethoscope, or, for the particularly dedicated, a cup of strong coffee, to the legends who hold humanity together, one injection at a time.
If you know a nurse, buy them a treat, offer up an awkward “thank you for injecting me that time,” or just loudly share stories about their superhero strength. For the rest of us, this is the one day it’s completely acceptable to text your GP’s surgery at 7am and hope for the best. Remember, if you ask nicely, your flu jab might come with a side of well-earned sass.
Hummus: A Love Story For The Ages
Rolling on to 13 May, it’s time to dip into international hummus day. Yes, that creamy, dreamy, chickpea-based delight that sparks fierce loyalty and even fiercer debates about whose mum makes the best one. Hummus isn’t just a spread—it’s a lifestyle choice, a soothing balm for late-night cravings, and, quite possibly, the only reason celery exists in the modern era.
Celebrate this day by hosting your own Middle Eastern mezze at home and embarking on a chickpea-fuelled journey of discovery. There are more ways to enjoy hummus than there are cats in a YouTube search—classic, beetroot, spicy, chocolate (controversial, but don’t knock it till you try it). You could even try spreading some diplomatic hummus goodwill by gifting a tub to a neighbour. Nothing says “let’s be friends” quite like extending the olive (oil) branch.
Chocolate Chip Mania: Biscuit Bliss And Beyond
If you hear a mysterious rustling on the night of 14 May, don’t panic—it’s just people getting ready for the most saccharine celebration of the month: chocolate chip day on 15 May. It’s the hero ingredient that makes even the gloomiest Monday bearable. Chocolate chips are the culinary equivalent of finding a fiver in your jeans. Some claim to have self-control around chocolate chip cookies, but those brave souls generally have trust issues.
Step up your snack game with a home-baked marathon. Bake cookies, pancakes, muffins, or just embrace the straight-from-the-bag methodology. Bake for your mates, your colleagues, your dog (dog biscuits exist, don’t judge), or just for your own sofa-dwelling alter ego. If you’re feeling extra, blend them into a milkshake or go wild and toss some into your morning porridge. There’s nothing chocolate chips can’t improve—except perhaps your dentist’s mood.
Hug A Tree, Hug The Planet: Love A Tree Day
Mother Nature gets a turn in the spotlight on 16 May with love a tree day, which is essentially Valentine’s Day for trees but with fewer awkward first dates and far more oxygen. Whether you’re a secret leaf whisperer or you just appreciate the occasional bit of shade, this is your excuse to be that person who stops and hugs a tree in public.
Apart from the obvious advantages (trees can’t run away from awkward conversations), trees offer the benefits of free stress relief, premium-grade air quality, and endless opportunities for imaginative daydreaming. Take a wander in your nearest park, name your favourite tree, or finally attempt that childhood ambition of building a treehouse—because nothing says “responsible adult” like a wooden fort with Wi-Fi. Bonus points if you manage to Instagram your treehug, bonus minus if you encounter squirrels with trust issues.
Cultured And Quirky: International Museum Day
Blessed with the spirit of curiosity or just seeking an escape from hay fever? 18 May marks international museum day—a chance to channel your inner Indiana Jones or just wander through galleries pretending to understand modern art. Museums aren’t just for bored school trips anymore. Today’s museums cater for everyone, from the avid history buff to the closet dinosaur enthusiast and the selfie-hunter alike.
Get adventurous and visit your local museum, or discover a weird one online (yes, there’s a museum dedicated entirely to bread, and another to bad art—it’s as gloriously pointless as it sounds). Strike a thoughtful pose next to an ancient Greek urn, challenge friends to find the silliest exhibit, and don’t forget to exit through the gift shop with enough quirky souvenirs to spark conversation at every future dinner party.
When your calendar’s looking a little too ordinary, remember that May is absolutely bursting with brilliant excuses for snacks, hugs (for trees and people alike), and unusual adventures. So roll up your sleeves, take your nurse friend for a hummus picnic under the trees, bake some chocolate chip cookies, and finish the week by wandering through a museum. Who knew life could be this deliciously odd?