Today, May 1st, is Labor Day in France (Fête du Travail). It is also the “Fête du Muguet” (Lily of the Valley Day). The tradition is to give a sprig of lily of the valley to your loved ones to wish them happiness for the rest of the year. The lily of the valley lucky charm (porte-bonheur) is exchanged between people of all ages but it is especially endearing to see children wake up early to go cut a few sprigs of lily of the valley in the garden. And if they don’t have lily of the valley outside their home, they’ll get a few coins from their piggy banks and their papa will take them to a nearby “lily of the valley stand” which can be found at many street corners all over France on May 1st.
We are sending you a lucky charm sprig of lily of the valley with many wishes of happiness all year long — happy May 1st!