Baba Marta and Martenitsa

"Holidays"...In this category, I will be telling you about different holidays, celebrated in the US (where I live now), Bulgaria (where I am from) and some other Eastern European traditions and celebrations. I am staring with the holiday of Baba Marta and Martenitsa.
The first day of March is a traditional holiday in Bulgaria associated with sending off winter and welcoming spring. Baba Marta is one of the most anticipated characters in Bulgarian folklore tradition. “Baba” is the Bulgarian word for “grandmother”, “Marta” means “March”. Baba Marta is a grumpy old lady whose mood swings change very rapidly, almost as the weather in Bulgaria in March. The common belief is that by wearing Martenitsas, people are welcoming her and the upcoming Spring.
Martenitsas are small ornaments of red and white woven threads and they symbolize the hope for good health. They are carried on until the first storks come. When you see a stork, you can take your martenica off and put it on a blossomed tree. Martenitsas are usually pinned on the clothes, sometimes worn around wrists, or neck with Pijo and Penda (2 small dolls). They are always given as a gift. People give them to love ones and friends.