Easy DIY May Day Baskets

May Day Baskets are sweet, quaint and unfortunately forgotten, but this is one tradition we should bring back!

May 1st has long been a day of celebration, whether it is dancing around a maypole or making baskets. After the showers of April, come the flowers of May. It’s a time when the rains dissipate to brighter, warmer and sunnier days. People start gathering spring flowers that have cropped up and May Day Baskets are perfect for sharing them.

The history of the may day basket is said to have started in Germany sometime in the 12th-13th centuries, but may hearken back to the Roman times and celebrating Flora the goddess of flowers. It became extremely popular during the 19th and early 20th centuries. In olden times it is said that if someone wanted to express a romantic interest they would hang a basket on the door of their intended and if they were caught running away the intended would give chase and steal a kiss! According to NPR there are many interesting tales of May Day Baskets!

May Day Baskets are traditionally hung anonymously on a friend or neighbor’s door full of flowers or sweets. It’s a tradition similar to the “Boo” we do today at Halloween. Hang the basket, ring the doorbell and run away! When I was kid, I always brought my teacher a handful of lavender colored Lilacs wrapped in foil for May Day. No matter who you give a May Day Basket to or how you deliver it, it will truly brighten up their day.

The Method of May Day Baskets

items needed:

12 x 12 scrapbooking paper
glue tape
scissors
ribbon
hole punch
flowers real or silk) or candy

Directions:

First, cut the paper in half on the diagonal. place a 5 inch strip of tape on one of the long pointed sides. Roll the point in and up to meet the top of the triangle. Press down securing the tape. Next, place another 5 inch piece of tape along the bottom side of the flap that is left and tightly roll around and up to meet the center triangle. Again secure the tape.

After the tape has bonded, take the point and fold it over. Punch a hole in either side of the cone. Cut the ribbon to the size you want and thread it through the holes into the inside of the cone. Double knot.