Go Ahead and Make Someone’s May Day! Basket Ideas & More!

May Day falls on May 1. It’s not a widely celebrated day, but when I was a little girl, May Baskets were a fun way to recognize someone you loved, whether it was a friend, neighbor, or grandparent. Who doesn’t love finding a beautiful surprise at their doorstep?

The tradition of May Baskets usually involves small baskets filled with flowers or treats left at someone’s doorstep. The giver would ring the bell and run away. The person receiving the basket would try to catch the fleeing giver. If they caught the person, a kiss was to be exchanged.

Even something as easy as using a tin can and filling it with lilacs will suffice and certainly bring a smile to someone’s face. If you want to get creative, you could cover the tin can with colorful spring paper. Other easy "basket" ideas include a paper cup decorated with crayons or markers, a recycled Easter basket, or a small flower pot.

If you can’t find any lilacs, tulips or daffodils nearby, opt for a non-flower alternative. Slip in some flower seeds, gardening gloves and a few pieces of candy or cookies. Or make flowers using tissue paper, colorful construction paper, cardstock or wrapping paper. Alternatively, fresh fruit can be a tasty surprise. Use a small apple, orange or banana. If the recipient is a golfer, use golf tees and a golf ball. The dollar store always has inexpensive pens, pencils, and tablets that would be perfect in a basket. The ideas are only limited by your imagination.

Go ahead and make someone’s day with a May Day basket. You’ll be so glad you did!