May Day, also known as International Workers' Day, is celebrated on the first day of May and holds historical significance as a day for workers' rights and labour movements.
Although May Day celebrations are traditionally marked with large gatherings and parades, maybe because of the distance some teams celebrate May Day together, even if it's in the virtual activities.
Many creative ideas exist for remote teams to celebrate May Day virtually from sharing May Day recipes to organising a virtual May Day trivia game. There are options for remote teams to come together and celebrate the holiday.
Let’s take a look at the May Day history and the list of virtual May Day ideas below.
International Workers' Day or May Day History
Labour Day, also known as International Workers' Day or May Day, is celebrated on May 1st each year in many countries around the world. The day originated in the late 19th century when workers in the United States began protesting against poor working conditions, long hours, and low pay.
The protests culminated in an incident at Haymarket Square in Chicago on May 4th, 1886.
Since then, Labour Day has been a day to celebrate the achievements of the labour movement, including establishing workers' rights and social protections, and to advocate for further progress towards a more just and equitable society.
List of Activities for Celebrating May Day Virtually
Here are some creative ideas for remote teams to celebrate May Day or another holiday:
1. Sharing May Day Recipes
Sharing May Day recipes and hosting a virtual potluck can be a fun way to celebrate May Day virtually. May Day has a rich history of traditional foods associated with it, such as May Day bread, pies, and cakes.
Some traditional May Day recipes you might want to try include honey cakes, flower-shaped cookies, and strawberry desserts. By sharing these recipes with your team, you can learn about different cultures and traditions while enjoying delicious food.
To host a virtual potluck, you can ask your team members to prepare a May Day dish and share the recipe with the group. You can then organise a virtual holiday meeting or video call to enjoy the food together and discuss the recipes. It is a great way to bond with your team and learn about each other’s culinary skills.
2. May Day-themed Virtual Backgrounds
Sharing May Day-themed virtual backgrounds and filters are a great option to celebrate May Day virtually. These digital assets can be used to add a festive touch to virtual meetings, events and messages.
There are many options for May Day-themed virtual backgrounds and filters that you can create and share with your team. For example, you create a virtual background with a May Day flower garland or a filter that adds colourful ribbons to team members' faces during video calls.
Creating a virtual background that features a May Day parade, or a filter that adds virtual confetti to team members' screens can be your option. You can use design tools like Canva or Adobe Spark to create your virtual backgrounds and filters.
3. May Days Greetings And Messages
There are many examples of May Day greetings and messages that you can share with your team. For example, you can share a quote or saying that encapsulates the spirit of May Day, such as "April showers bring May flowers", or "May your day be filled with sunshine and happiness".
You can share a message of appreciation and gratitude for your team, thanking them for their hard work and dedication.
You also can send an email or message to the team, or create a virtual card or graphic that can be shared on social media or messaging apps. Organising a virtual meeting or video call to share May Day greetings and messages with the team in person also can be a great idea.
4. Labour Day Word Search
A Labour Day word search is a simple but effective game that can be enjoyed by people of all ages and skill levels. It involves finding a list of Labour Day-related words hidden within a grid of letters.
The words can be hidden vertically, horizontally, diagonally, and backwards, adding an element of challenge and excitement to the game.
You can find pre-made word search puzzles online or create your own using a word search generator tool. Once you've created or found a suitable word search, you can share it with your team via email, messaging apps, social media, or via a project management tool using VirtualSpace.
5. Movie Nights
Movie nights are a popular way to unwind and relax, and they can be a great way to celebrate Labour Day with your remote team. Whether you choose to watch a classic labour-themed movie or a light-hearted comedy, a movie night can be a fun and engaging way to bring your team together.
You can use streaming platforms, such as Netflix, Amazon Prime, or Disney+ that allow you to share your screen and watch movies with your team. You can also use video conferencing platforms, such as Zoom, to host a virtual watch party and chat with your team during the movie.
6. Sharing May Day History
Sharing May Day traditions and history with your remote team is a great way to promote cultural understanding and appreciation.
You can start by explaining the history of May Day and how it is celebrated in different parts of the world. Then share stories, songs, and other cultures that are associated with May Day.
There are many benefits to learning about and sharing cultural traditions. It can help promote empathy and understanding among team members from different backgrounds. Further, it helps create a sense of belonging and community, as team members learn about and celebrate each other's cultures and traditions.
Wrapping Up
There are many creative ideas for remote teams to celebrate May Day virtually. From sharing May Day recipes to organising virtual holiday games, such as a Labour Day word search, and movie nights, there are many ways to celebrate the holiday together.
Additionally, sharing the history and traditions of May Day with remote teams is a great way to promote cultural understanding and appreciation. Despite the challenges presented by the distance, the importance of celebrating May Day as a team remains, even if it's in a virtual setting.
We hope this article can help you celebrate labour day virtually with your remote teams.
