As a child did you make baskets out of construction paper, fill them with candy and flowers and then secretly put them on the doors of your neighbors? Well, the Lilacs are blooming just in time for this age old May Day tradition.
Growing up on Fifth street in Dodge City, Kansas, creating and sharing these baskets was a neighborhood event. While there are a lot of ideas on the Internet for creating May Day baskets, ours were fashioned out of construction paper. The easiest type of basket to make was a simple cone. The Create Whimsy website contains directions on how to make such a basket out of scrapbooking paper and ribbon.
We even made some square baskets that I’m sure required more of mom’s help to get the paper cut correctly. However, it was harder to keep the flowers in the basket.
While this tradition of making and sharing baskets of flowers and goodies on May first may be disappearing, there are quite a few web sites with ideas on how to create these baskets.
- Fun with May Day Baskets
- Easy to Make May Day Baskets
- Learn How to Make a Pretty May Day Basket
- Why the Tradition of May Day Baskets Should Make a Comeback
- Easy May Day Basket Craft Ideas
- A Forgotten Tradition: May Day Baskets
May this reminder of an old tradition bring joy into your life.
Happy May Day
Heartland Genealogy 