Best 5 Ways to Celebrate the First Day of Spring 2021
Winter is over, excited about spring? Check Zulily’s ideas for the top 5 things to do on the 20th March of 2021 spring. Try these fun ideas with your family!
The first day of spring, the vernal equinox, is on Saturday, March 20th this year. A time for rebirth and renewal, the first day of spring in the Northern Hemisphere is when the Sun crosses the equator line and begins heading north. On the first day of spring, the day and night are (approximately) equal in length. After the equinox, those of us in the Northern Hemisphere become more tilted to the sun, resulting in warmer temperatures and more hours of daylight. As plants begin to bloom, appreciate the longer, warmer days. And with the fresh start of a new season, take the opportunity for new beginnings in many areas of your life with some ideas on how to celebrate the first day of spring.
01.
Pick Up a New Sport
After being cooped up all winter, find an activity you can enjoy outside. Even if you aren’t athletic, sports can be an easy way to try something new. Playing catch with your kids, learning to play tennis, or a game of horse at the basketball court can get you moving. If you have a bike, this is a great opportunity to check on the gears and get it ready to ride on the first day of spring!
Or, go for a hike. There are often trails that range from beginner to advance within a reasonable driving distance from home – scout out a new one! Try the ritual of grounding yourself by taking off your shoes and socks and connecting barefoot to the Earth. While there are many theories on why this is an important process, it is likely to make you feel more connected to nature with the few minutes of mindfulness that goes along with grounding.
02.
Spring Cleaning
Open up your windows and let the fresh air in on the first day of spring! As you start to switch out your winter clothes with spring apparel, take the opportunity to get rid of anything that doesn’t fit or is worn out. Go a step further and purge any infrequently used possessions, donating to a thrift store. Set aside any broken items to determine whether to fix them or toss them. After a short time, you’ll find cabinets more orderly, drawers less cluttered, and your closet a welcoming sight. You don’t need to go full “Marie Kondo” to make a big difference in how your home looks and feels, just get rid of anything you don’t regularly use.
Once you’ve done your purge, time to dust away the winter and give your home a deep clean. Use the warm afternoons following the first day of spring to open up doors and windows so you aren’t inhaling cleaning chemicals. Since many people don’t get excited about cleaning, approaching it with a good attitude will help make it pass quickly. Plan a reward for yourself after you complete major tasks, whether it’s a walk, piece of chocolate, or long bath.
03.
Plant a Garden
Even if there is still some frost on the ground, you can start planning a garden on the first day of spring. Look to brightly colored flowers to cheer up the outdoor space this spring, like Petunias or Primrose. Get fruits and vegetables started that thrive in cool temperatures, like peas or leafy greens. If you’re waiting out a cold front, try starting seedlings inside in pots to grow under your watchful eye before transferring out into your garden.
04.
Try a New Recipe
Use the vegetables and fruits that are in season right now to try out new dishes. Find out if your area has a CSA (community supported agriculture) box or farm box. These are a great way to get fruits and vegetables that are at their peak of freshness while exploring some items that might be new to you! Or, just try out a new way to prepare old favorites, like asparagus, artichokes, and cherries. A new recipe is an easy way to celebrate the first day of spring.
05.
Spring Crafting
Those bright, beautiful spring wildflowers can be the inspiration for your next craft project! For a craft that is simple enough for the kids, make bookmarks with pressed flowers. Homemade bookmarks are also a nice gift to mail to family and friends in other cities, since they don’t take up much room and are a nice way to mix it up from hand-drawn cards. Most spring flower crafting will involve the same base step of pressing flowers. You can press flowers in a couple of weeks with the book method, but for a faster craft, try the iron method.
How to Press Flowers with an Iron
- Start with fresh, unblemished flowers and foliage. Start the pressing process soon after you collect them, before they start to turn brown.
- Flowers with flat blooms are the easiest to press, but you can also use rounded buds by cutting them in half. Chucky flowers are still possible to press, they will just take a little longer and require more diligence!
- Remove the leaves from the flowers and buds, to press separately.
4. Firmly press the flowers between two absorbent pieces of paper. Avoid paper towels as these can leave a texture on the petals.
5. Heat your iron on low, making sure there is no water in the iron to create steam.
6. Press the iron on the top piece of paper for 10-15 seconds. Wait for the paper to cool, then repeat this process.
7. Once the flowers are still and dried, you can use them for crafts!
We hope you enjoy yourself today and keep checking back for ongoing tips, guides and great shopping!
