May Day Basket
make a simple may day basket with this simple how to
May Day is quickly approaching! “May Day”, you ask? “What’s that?” May Day is an old tradition that occurs on the 1st day of May. To celebrate the beginning of spring, baskets of flowers and treats are anonymously hung on the doors of friends or neighbors. Kind of like the old childhood ding-dong-ditch, you hang a special gift bag on the door, ring the bell and then run! For more history on this quaint, almost forgotten special day, read THIS article. I think it would be wonderful if this old tradition became fashionable again! So today I’m going to share an easy May Day Basket project that could become a special surprise for someone you care for!
This little project is inspired by a monthly Pinterest Challenge, dreamed up and hosted by Cindy at County Road 406. Each month a group of talented bloggers creates around a single, inspirational photo found on Pinterest. If you’ve just come from Le Cultivateur, welcome! I love Emily’s beautiful style:)
Here’s our inspiration this month, from Tracy at Tracy’s Trinkets and Treasures.
Obviously this cute flower arrangement is by a door. Since the 1st of May is right around the corner, my mind thought of a May Day Basket. I’m going to use this pretty picture to create a mini version, just perfect to hang on someone’s door (anonymously) to celebrate the beginning of spring!
Whenever I do these challenges where I’m imitating the look, I first take a look at the elements in the picture and then decide how I’m going to make it my own. Here’s what I noticed from this pic:
Tracy had done this arrangement for St. Patrick’s day, hence the green and white color scheme. I’m turning my version into a May Day Basket for the 1st of May, so I want it to be in springy colors. And here in Minnesota…we’re sick of looking at white stuff;) I decided my version would be pink; the color of springtime apple blossoms! Let’s get this project started!
May Day Basket How-To
To Begin, Gather Your Materials
To make a smaller, more temporary version of Tracy’s wall pocket, I used a piece of cardboard for the back and a 12″x 12″ piece of decorative paper. A thicker, cardstock-type paper will work best. My paper was like burlap adhered to paper, so it felt hearty.
I used a hot glue gun to adhere the basket together. You can also decide what type of flowers you want to use. I used a combo of fake and real, so I used styrofoam, along with floral tubes. I also used some wood skewers. You could also use oasis floral foam in a ziplock bag if you wanted to use fresh flowers from your garden. (We’re weeks away from that option).
For a printable version of this project, I made a how-to tutorial you can download and print, available in my FREE Insider’s Resource Library. To access it and a ton more helpful and decorative printables, simply sign up to become an Insider, and I’ll send you the password today! You’ll also keep the creative ideas flowing with my weekly email!
If you’re an Insider already, check your Friday email if you forgot the password;)
Make Your Wall Pocket with my Tutorial
Here’s how my smaller, more temporary version wall pocket turned out:
This is the backside. Ignore the punched holes in the back. They worked better on either side;)
Fill Your May Day Basket with Flowers
I stuck a skinny piece of styro in the wall pocket space and topped it with a little moss. Not that it really shows…it just makes me feel better. First add the hydrangeas. I had these pretty pink ones left over from my sister’s wedding many years ago!
Hydrangeas: check.
Next, to imitate the ball-shaped green thingies in the pic…in my pink color scheme. Time to check the veggie drawer.
Radishes! Yes, radishes. Whenever florists use fruits and veggies in their arrangements, I’m like…whoa; way creative! Skewer the radishes onto 1/2 a kabob stick and insert into your styrofoam.
Adding something real to the fake always helps! Lastly, snip some budded branches, insert them into your water-filled floral tubes and poke them in to the styro.
Add a Ribbon to Hang
Using a hole punch, make a hole in either side of your May Basket. The radishes make it quite top and front heavy, so having the holes closer to the front side will make it hang flatter. A ziplock bag of sand could also be added in the base to even out the weight (of course I thought of that…after).
Place your ribbon through one side and make a knot, leaving a couple inches for a tail. Continue it up and over to the other hole, leaving 6-8″ as a loop to hang over a doorknob. Make a knot with a tail on the other side.
Hang Your May Day Basket on a Neighbor or Friend’s Door
Anytime on May 1st you can hang your cute May Day Basket on someone’s door! Ring the doorbell if they’re home (and run away), or let them just find it when they come home from work. I guarantee it will put a smile on their face! Because…flowers…and a surprise=a happy day!
Make Sure You Add a “Happy May Day” Note!
You see that cute frame I added to the base? I whipped off a couple of those for you to print off for FREE in the Insider’s Library, too. You could also use them as name tags for Mother’s Day…or whatever. I put 8 different ones on an 8 1/2″ x 11″ paper. I just thought they could be so useful for so many things!
This cute little arrangement probably isn’t as permanent as the Pinterest Challenge version, but just as much fun, I think! I hope I convinced you to bring back this simple, sweet tradition of ushering in spring! Why not try to whip up a May Day Basket and surprise a neighbor or friend this year? I know I’ve loved being at the giving end and the receiving:)
If you’re hopping this Pinterest Challenge in order, please visit A Heart Filled Home next. I’m sure you’ll love Leslea’s creative style!
Pin, Share, and then enjoy the rest of the creativity!
Door Accent Pinterest Challenge
French Ethereal
Sharing at these lovely parties:
This was really a cute project. I like the idea of making a basket; I usually have a hoard of thrifted ones and they are often the wrong size for what I want to use one for! Or decorated for the wrong holiday! We did May baskets as kids and somewhere lost the custom; it would be nice to start it up again!
Lora, such a clever way to make a basket for flowers. It turned out so pretty. Love your little note too. Personalizing any project makes it more personal. I remember celebrating May Day in elementary school. We would make a May Pole and dance around it. The radishes were a cute addition for more color.
Thanks, Carol! I think it’s so fun to celebrate spring when we’ve waited so long for it!
Lora, I LOVE your May Day basket! You have me inspired to make one of my own. Simply wonderful! Thank you for sharing it with us at the Thursday Favorite Things party! I’m featuring you this week! 🙂
Have a wonderful weekend! xo
Theresa
Thanks for the feature, Theresa; I’m glad you liked it! I’ll definitely pop on over!
This IS adorable, Lora! Thanks for sharing at Vintage Charm!
It would be wonderful with some of your fresh rosemary;)
I have heard of May Day but had no idea there was a tradition around the name too. I love this idea! The possibilities for hanging surprises on the neighbor’s doors are endless. Yours is so pretty and it taught me some things about floral arranging. Thanks for the inspiration! I can’t believe in all of my 60 years I had no idea this wonderful tradition even existed 🙁
Got to make up for lost time, then, Marie;) It is a fun tradition for us beauty-lovers!
This is so cute!! I love the container that you used! And, the radishes are such a creative, darling addition to your beautiful arrangement!!
~Emily
Thanks, Emily! The wall pocket was so easy to make; now I need to make a couple more!
I just knew you would do something so unique and you did, radishes , it all looks so pretty.
Thanks, Marlene! I have to do something unique to get me excited;)
I love what you created. I keep saying I’m going to make May Day baskets for my neighbors and now you have inspired me.
It’s so much fun, Carol! You totally should!
I love May Day, Lora! What a great idea for a sweet May Day door basket!!! When my daughter went into Juniors in Girl Scouts, our leader Susanne had the girls make May Day baskets to put on friends’ doors to celebrate the day. It was a lot of fun and the girls learned a whole new tradition! Thanks for the idea and wasn’t this a fun Pinterest Challenge? Glad to be with you again on the tour. <3
Happy spring to you,
Barb 🙂
I’m glad I sparked a good memory, Barbara:) Yes, I love being challenged with such creative, talented ladies!
Well I certainly wish I lived on your block! One, we’d have so much fun together. Two, I’d get this adorable radish filled beauty and love it! Love your tutorials. Great job and thank you so much for joining in. Now I’m off to read about this May Day I’ve never heard of before!
I’m so glad I introduced you to May Day, Cindy! There’s many who have never heard about it, and I think it’s worth bringing back!
So sweet… love the dash of fresh items, too, Lora! Can’t wait to rejoin you all next month. (I actually had mine done… was just too sick to take the photos.) Pinned! (Be sure to link-up!)
Such a bummer, Julie:( I’m so sorry you missed us! Luckily it comes around each month!
Your door display is so creative, cute and truly clever. Love the touch of radishes!
Thanks, Laura!
This is so pretty! Who wouldn’t want to get that? I would love to see this old tradition come back. Pinned.
Me, too, Vikki! Thanks for pinning!
What a great idea. There are so many old traditions that I am convinced should be brought back to life and this is just one of them. Love the radishes in with the florals.
Me, too, Tara! Thanks!
Lora, this is so pretty. Love the basket you made and how creative you are. Love working on the challenges and hops with you.
Thanks, Terrie!
This is really pretty. The radishes are such an unexpected fun pop of colour – made me smile 😃
They are such a pretty color, aren’t they, Sheila? They’re such a fun addition to flowers;)
This is too cute. I love your radishes and those stunning branches bursting with new growth. Adorable.
Thanks, Katie! I love snipping budded branches in the spring and bringing them indoors!
Wow! So creative to make your own basket. I adore how it turned out! Beautiful for spring.
It was so easy, Christy. I’ve made cone-shaped ones in the past; this challenge was a good excuse to try something different.
You are so clever to make your own basket! The whole design is so pretty and the radishes add a fun touch of whimsy. Reading about May Day reminded me of elementary school where we had a May Day celebration each year that included weaving long ribbon around the May pole.
I’m so glad it sparked a fun memory, Paula! I’m just hoping others will be inspired to make their own May Day baskets to gift!