Saturday, May 1, 2010

May Day Baskets for Friends!

Here is Jen's idea for May Day Baskets for friends. This wasn't a big tradition where I grew up, but Jen and my husband, Jared, remember taking cute baskets around the neighborhood as kids. They grew up in the Midwest. I think it is adorable. We will have to try it next year, I think the kids would love this tradition.

From Jen:
"Here is a picture of our May Day baskets we are going to take to our friends. I used a cup and punched a hole on both sides and used a pipe cleaner for the handle. I used my cricuit and cut out flowers and punched a hole in the middle and stuck a sucker throught the hole and then I used a green straw to make the stem longer."

May Day Facts:
Here are some fun May Day Facts that Jen compiled as well.

May Day (May 1st) is celebrated in many places around the world. The traditions and stories surrounding May Day vary from place to place. There is, however, one thing that is similar in most celebrations - the use of Flowers!

One of the most popularly known May Day traditions is to hang a basket full of spring flowers and/or other small gifts on a neighbor's doorknob. The trick is you don't want the neighbor to see you! If you get caught, you are supposed to get a kiss.

A popular activity on May Day is to decorate a pole with brightly colored ribbon or paper streamers. Some also add flowers and balloons. The pole is usually carried in a parade and then placed in the ground at a designated area. People then dance around the May Pole, holding the ends of the streamers or ribbon in their hands.  Make your own tabletop May Pole here.

In London, May Day is celebrated with the children going from house to house. They bring flowers and get pennies in return. The pennies are then thrown into a wishing well. The pennies are then donated to charity.


In France, cows play an important role in May Day. The cows are led in parades with many flowers attached to their tails. The people watching the parade try to touch the cows; it is believed to be good luck.

In Germany, one tradition is for boys to secretly plant a May tree in front of the window of the girl they love.

On May 1st, people in Hawaii celebrate their own version of May Day; they call it Lei Day. People give Hawaiian leis to each other. They put them around each other's necks and sometimes give a traditional kiss.

ENJOY!

10 comments:

  1. Jen- So Cute! Where the heck is mine though... Gee, and I thought we were tight! LOL

    ReplyDelete
  2. I love your blog, I live in Nebraska and we grew up doing this every year. I have many friends who have never heard of this but we would fill cups with flowers, popcorn and random candy. You would set it on your friends door step, ring the bell and run....if you got caught they got to kiss you. So much fun! Thanks for spreading the idea so that others can have some fun too!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I also remember this as a kid growing up in South Dakota. We had such fun leaving the baskets on door steps, knocking and running like heck. It brings back good memories.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Appreciating the commitment you put into your site and detailed information you offer.
    It's awesome to come across a blog every once in a while that isn't the same
    unwanted rehashed material. Excellent read! I've bookmarked your site and I'm including your RSS feeds to my Google account.


    Feel free to visit my web page frances ha showtimes

    ReplyDelete
  5. Aw, this was a very good post. Spending some time and actual effort to make a very
    good article… but what can I say… I put things off a whole lot and don't manage to get anything done.

    my web blog http://huishurenfrankrijk.wordpress.com

    ReplyDelete
  6. Magnificent beat ! I would like to apprentice while you
    amend your site, how can i subscribe for a blog web site?
    The account helped me a applicable deal. I have been tiny bit familiar of this your broadcast provided vivid
    transparent concept

    Review my site; luxe vakantiehuizen **

    ReplyDelete
  7. Have you ever considered publishing an e-book or guest authoring on other websites?
    I have a blog centered on the same subjects
    you discuss and would really like to have you share some stories/information.
    I know my visitors would value your work. If you are even remotely interested, feel free to send
    me an e-mail.

    Feel free to visit my homepage vakantiehuizen frankrijk

    ReplyDelete
  8. Just desire to say your article is as astonishing.
    The clearness in your post is simply cool and i can assume you are an expert on this subject.

    Well with your permission let me to grab your feed to keep up to date with forthcoming post.

    Thanks a million and please continue the rewarding work.

    Feel free to surf to my web blog - luxe vakantiehuisje frankrijk

    ReplyDelete
  9. I want to to thank you for this very good read!
    ! I certainly loved every little bit of it. I've got you saved as a favorite to check out new things you post…

    My web page ... vakantiehuisje frankrijk - -

    ReplyDelete

Related Posts with Thumbnails