May Day Baskets

Hello again friends!

I remember in elementary school me and my classmates doing a maypole dance with a pole attached to many colored ribbons. I didn’t understand why we were doing this nor was I coordinated enough to figure the dance out…with all of the ups and downs and loop-de-loops. It was odd. And difficult.

Fast forward to several years ago when I found a cute little soup can with flowers in it on my front door. My neighbor, Cindy, had hung a May Basket on the doorknob. What a sweet gift it was! It stayed on my front door for days and was so pretty. I honestly think that’s the first time I’d ever heard of a May Day Basket.

For years after that, I would tell myself that I was going to make some May Day Baskets and share this holiday with others. Years passed… And passed… (You know how it is, good intentions but a lack of time.) Last year, I promised myself that I was going to share May Day Baskets with as many people as I could. Since I am a Realtor, I focused on clients that I had worked with the previous year.

Here’s how I made them:

First, start saving any type of soup can you can get your hands on and wash them clean. Make sure that there are no rough edges. Use a drill to make a hole on each side of the can. You can also do it the old-fashioned way by freezing water in the can and using a hammer to make the holes.

I had several wide ribbon spools that were used for this craft. Most of them were neutral colors and were not wired on the ends. I wrapped ribbon around each can and cut to fit. I used hot glue to attach the ribbon to the can.

I also bought a smaller width ribbon that was wired. I cut the smaller ribbon in equal lengths and threaded one side through the drilled holes and tied a knot inside the can. I then tied the two ribbon strings together in a bow just like tying shoe laces.

I made the cans a few days earlier and had them all ready to fill with flowers and greenery.

Most of the flowers I used came from my local grocery stores. I actually got a great deal on some of the flowers at Kroger in the back section where the flowers were not as fresh as the newer bouquets. I simply pulled the older flowers out and threw them away. I also went around my yard and picked flowers and greenery to use. I picked a lot of fresh lavender from my yard and tried to put one sprig of lavender in each can for an extra-wonderful scent.

I didn’t take a photo of this, but I found small (probably 8 oz) clear plastic drinking cups at the dollar store and cut the tops slightly so they would fit inside each can without being seen. I poured water into the plastic cups until they were half-full. Then it was time to make the baskets!

As you can see, some of the cans did not have ribbons to hang them with but had bows tied in the front. I knew some of my deliveries would be to offices and so I made them to sit on a counter or desk.

Here’s my Instagram post from last year. I took this photo after hanging a basket on my friend Toni’s door.

Honestly, I had a blast planning, making and delivering my May Day Baskets. I felt like a florist on Valentine’s Day….delivering flowers, seeing smiling faces and visiting with friends and clients. May Day is an unexpected day for someone to deliver flowers…most people don’t even realize what day it is nor do they ever receive May Day Baskets. It was so enjoyable!I do plan to make and deliver baskets this year. So far, it’s just in the planning stage–so I’ve got to get busy. I will definitely post a photo or two on Instagram and Facebook.

For now, I hope you have a wonderful day! Thank you for stopping in !