May Day Baskets
One of my earliest childhood memories is of my mother showing me how to make a May Day basket. The plan was to make the simple basket, put a few flowers in it, and hang it on a neighbor’s door. Then you ring the doorbell and run away before they answer the door and find your little bouquet of flowers.
The design of this basket is simple. Create a square by folding one corner of a sheet of paper bringing the two adjacent sides together as shown in this illustration. Ignore the scribble. It is there so you can see the edge of the paper on top. Cut along the edge of the paper. When you unfold the paper you should have a square and a strip of paper.
To make the basket bring the creased points together with the paper unfolded. Overlap the folded edges slightly. Doing this will shape the rest of the paper into two cones. Use the strip of paper that was cut away to make a handle. Either cut a strip or fold the paper once or twice lengthwise to make a stronger handle. Place the ends of the handle over the tips of the basket cones and staple through all the layers to hold the basket and handle together. Add flowers and it’s ready to hang on a neighbor’s doorknob. You can also find alternate ways to make the May Day baskets online.
There are actually several May Day holidays that lay claim to May 1. The oldest goes back to a pagan celebration of spring and fertility that has traditions we as Christians need to avoid. But the simple tradition of giving May Day baskets will always be welcomed by unsuspecting neighbors and friends.
Other May Day celebrations tie in with war-time and with labor movements. There are several articles available online that tell of the various May Day celebrations.
–by Janice D. Green
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Such a sweet idea! It’s too bad we just don’t do things like this anymore. But I guess it’s never too late to start!
Right. It’s never too late to start, and so simple to do.
Oh I love this idea! I’m going to try this with my grandkids today and hang these on some of our neighbors’ doors!
Wonderful! Have fun! 🙂
So sweet!
Thank you
Such a great and fun idea! Thank you, Janice!
It has always been a fun memory. We didn’t do it all that often, but it was fun just the same.
I have fond memories of receiving a May Day basket from a mystery friend when I returned home from Papua New Guinea where I was a short term missionary. I felt loved!
How special. Did you ever find out who brought it?
Interesting, Janice. I’ve never heard of May Day baskets. Pretty!
Thanks
Wow, this is absolutely amazing. I have never made a May Basket, but this inspires me to try! Thank you for sharing this idea.
I’m glad you liked it and hope you will give it a try.
I love this idea and the history you shared. Thanks!
Thank you. Glad you enjoyed it.
What a neat tradition! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for the encouragement Jessica!
What a sweet idea to celebrate spring and the Creator of the season!
Thanks Ava!
We used to do May baskets when our children were young. This brought back fond memories of making the baskets and leaving surprises for friends!
Precious memories for those who have done this. Thanks for responding.
What a special idea/project. When my husband pastored a church in middle GA years ago, our neighbors were three elderly sisters. They taught me so much about old traditions–and this was one of them. My twins learned too. They loved to put a May Day basket on our sweet neighbors’ back steps, ring the old-fashioned bell, and run away. They would hide behind the azaleas to watch the reaction. 🙂 Thanks for reminding me of precious memories.
I’m happy that you have these memories too. What fun.