Are you lucky to have wonderful people who live next door to you? Want to let them know how much you appreciate them? Why not surprise your neighbors with a May Day basket?
If you’ve been around the blog for any time, you know Rich and I are planners!
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We rarely do anything without researching and putting a lot of thought into it.
So the fact that we bought our current home online without stepping foot inside it was crazy!
Of course, times were crazy, it was the height of the pandemic, and the country was shut down.
Even though we were totally out of our comfort zone, we stepped out in faith and purchased the house!
Needless to say, we prayed a lot about the situation!
You see, the houses here are close together, and I wondered what we would do if we didn’t have kind and respectful neighbors.
Thankfully we never had to figure that out because we have the best neighbors ever!
Surprising them with a May Day basket is an easy way to let them know how thankful we are for their friendship!
Some of you may be thinking that sounds nice, but what is a May Day basket?
What is a May Day basket?
I originally heard about May Day baskets from Martha Stewart a few years ago.
It was a post entitled “Why the Tradition of May Day Baskets Should Make a Comeback.”
After I read it, I thought it was a fabulous idea and wanted to do it for our neighbors.
Unfortunately, I never followed through.
Then this week, my fellow blogger Leslie, from My 100-Year-Old Home, had a link to that exact post in her Sunday newsletter! Thanks for the reminder, Leslie!
So this year, no more procrastinating!
Let’s make some May Day baskets!
Oh yes, here’s a brief explanation in case you don’t want to hop over and read the post!
It’s a Spring tradition celebrated in the 1800s and early 1900s. On May 1st, people would fill paper baskets with flowers or sweet treats. Then, they would hang them on their neighbor’s doorknob, knock on the door, and run away without being seen.
How to make a May Day paper basket
Gather
Gather or purchase the following supplies to complete this project:
- Scrapbook paper -12×12 -I used three pieces with solid color and three pieces with a print
- Ribbon or twine
- Ruler
- Scissors
- Tape runner or glue
- Hole punch
- Flowers
- Paper towels
- Plastic wrap
- Scallop Stencil (optional)
- Binder clips (optional)
Make the basket
The easiest way to make a basket is to take a printed 12×12 piece of paper, wrap it into a cone shape, and adhere it together.
Since I have tons of scrapbook supplies, I will use a printed sheet and a solid sheet to make my cones a bit sturdier!
Also, I have some border stencils in my supplies, so I will use those to make mine a bit fancier!
Feel free to make yours as simple or elaborate as you like!
Choose your paper
Choose coordinating papers that match your flowers.
I decided to make three completely different colored cones.
Add a decorative edge
Use a solid piece of cardstock and add a decorative edge on two sides of the paper. Use a stencil, or draw it by hand, and cut the edge around two sides.
Shape your cones
When you get the cone into a shape you like, use a binder clip to hold it together. Then, glue or tape the edge. Lay the cone on the printed paper like in the picture above. Adhere the top corner to the cone. Then fold the edges around and adhere.
Punch holes around the top edge
Using the hole punch, make seven holes around the top edge of the cone.
Add a ribbon
Cut a string or ribbon three feet long, then weave it through the holes of the cone and tie it at the top.
Fill the Basket
Now it’s time to fill your pretty paper basket.
I bought a flower bouquet from Target and will split the blooms between my three baskets.
Cut the flower stems
Cut the stems to a length that will fit into your basket.
Wrap stems
Wet several paper towels and wrap them around the bottom of the flowers.
Wrap the paper towels with plastic wrap so your basket does not get wet!
Place flowers in the Basket
Carefully put your flower arrangement in the basket!
Surprise Your Neighbors
Hang the paper basket on your neighbor’s front door!
Times are so different now than in the 1800s, and you might find it hard to surprise your neighbors.
Most of our neighbors have cameras or a Ring doorbell, so the chance that we leave the basket anonymously is slim.
But that’s ok!
The point is that they are surprised by receiving a gift they were not expecting!
I think this is such a fun way to celebrate friendships!
I hope you’ll consider making a May Day Basket for your neighbors this year!
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Blessings, Donna and Rich
Pin It For Later
If you don’t have time to make a May Day basket this year, pin it to remember it for next year!
More DIY Inspiration
If you enjoyed this post, you might like to see these:
- Make a Bang with a 4th of July Gift Tray
- Bed Tray Makeover
- How to Make a Wood Bead Garland
- Turn a Basket Into a Light Fixture
- Age Terra Cotta Pots and add French Flair
**Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, we will receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. We appreciate your support. (disclosure policy)
The bouquets are beautiful and such a nice idea to surprise your neighbors with them! I am thinking about all the mom’s in my neighborhood to surprise next month!
Thank you and have fun making baskets for your neighbors! I know they would be thrilled to receive one! Happy Spring!
Times have changed, especially with the ring, but I love the idea of leaving them to be found. A little something to brighten someone’s day. I keep saying this, but you have so many wonderful ideas to share.
I’m glad you enjoyed this post! I hope May Day will make a comeback, it’s such a fun and generous idea! Blessings, Donna
These are very pretty!
Thank you, Cindy! My neighbors were very happy to receive them! I hope the tradition will take off and more people will do this!
My bachelor neighbour would be very confused indeed if I did this! However I love the idea of doing it for a friend. Thanks for the inspiration!
That’s a good point, Rachel, you made me lol!! I’m sure your friends would be very appreciative! Happy day!
Such a sweet idea! We bought our house last year without seeing it in person as well! We also prayed for guidance. Houses were flying off the market in our area with people trying to escape other areas and flee to ours. We welcome them, but it sure didn’t make buying easy lol! I’m featuring your post on this week’s Crafty Creators. Thanks for sharing!
Hey Niki! We seem to have so much in common! I hope you’re as happy with your house as we are with ours! Thank you so much for the feature, I really appreciate it! See ya at the party! Hugs, Donna
What a sweet idea, Donna! These bouquets are so beautiful! I am excited to feature your post at this week’s Tuesday Turn About link party! Thank you so much for sharing!
Hi Lynne! I consider it an honor to be featured at the Tuesday Turn About link party! Thank you so much for sharing this fun post with your readers! Blessings, Donna
Donna, I love these May baskets! So beautiful my friend. I will be featuring you tomorrow at the Home Imagined party! Congrats.
Hello Meagan! That’s such great news! Thank you, I appreciate the share!! I hope you have a wonderful week!!
Those are beautiful and such a lovely little way to bring a smile to anyone’s face!
Thanks, they are great for friends, family, or neighbors! I know I would be thrilled to receive one! Have a great day!