Simple May Basket How-To: Get Your “Nice” On!
We’re days away from the first day of May & you know what that means: people across the country will be putting up their Maypoles in the front yard, gathering greeneries for May baskets, & May Day festivities will be going on every where! Yeah. Right.Granted, it’s not the most celebrated holiday in here America. In fact, most of us don’t acknowledge it at all. I must admit, I didn’t know anything about it either until several years ago when a May basket appeared for the first time on my doorstep. We were living in our first house, two doors down from some good friends of ours. And when May 1st rolled around & we opened up our front door to see a cute little basket full of goodies sitting there, I knew right away who it was from. The card wasn’t signed–May baskets are supposed to be anonymous. But, since my friend has very distinctive, beautiful handwriting, and since she is also one of the most creative people I have ever known, it was kind of a dead giveaway. Besides that, she’s just plain nice. And May Day is the perfect day to get your “nice” on.I think she left a basket for us every year that we lived there, and now, 12 years and 2 houses later, I have never forgotten it. That’s because “nice” is rarely forgotten.This year, I’ve decided I’m going to be nice. (I know-it’s about time, huh?) I’ve made my May Baskets and come Sunday morning, a couple of my friends are getting a little surprise. (No, they don’t read my blog, so yes, they will be surprised.)And just in case you get the urge to be nice, too, here are a few super-simple instructions for making May Baskets. (I stole this cone idea from my BFF Denise, but since she’s also nice, she won’t mind if I share it with you.)Start with a piece of scrapbook paper-either an 8.5 x 11 or a 12×12 trimmed down to that size. I chose a double-sided cardstock.Then, fold it into a cone shape & glue it into place in the back. I like to use hot glue because it works fast & holds it together right away. Trim off excess paper.Then, add some ribbon or trim for a little something extra…Create a “Happy May Day” banner for the front. I used my mini alphabet stamps like I use for so many projects, but you could also write it by hand or print it from your computer.Fork-cut the ends & fold them over a straight-edge to give it the look of a banner.Staple on a ribbon handle…Cover the staples with a little embellishment if you wish…Make a little flag for a name tag with some more paper & a bamboo skewer.Then, fill your basket with a few small treats & maybe a few fresh flowers…And you’re ready to hang it on someone’s doorknob early Sunday morning. Now isn’t that nice?Sharing this how-to with some of these nice people. Go say hi!
Michelle
April 29, 2011 @ 1:22 am
I LOVE this idea!!!
We will be in a hotel this weekend and I think I may make a couple to put on random doors!
Truly Anonymous! haha!
Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions
April 29, 2011 @ 1:38 am
That is really sweet, Julie! I love the doublesided cardstock you used, too.
NanaDiana
April 29, 2011 @ 2:15 am
Julie~ You really ARE a nice person, aren't you? On the first day of May my older cousins always took me into a wooded area and we would pick beautiful little May flowers (they are like sweet violets only all pastel colors) and take them home to put in little vases for our Moms. Great idea with the little basket…so cute! xxoo Diana
CraftCrave
April 29, 2011 @ 3:23 am
Just a quick note to let you know that a link to this post will be placed on CraftCrave today [29 Apr 01:00am GMT]. Thanks, Maria
Gail
April 29, 2011 @ 12:28 pm
Thanks for the idea. I'm going to make one to put on my new neighbors door knob on May Day.
Boho Farm and Home
April 30, 2011 @ 5:33 am
This is a great idea! I am actually going to a May Day festival for the first time ever this Sunday!
Laurel @ Ducks in a Row
April 30, 2011 @ 3:02 pm
We used to deliver May Baskets when I was a little – my kids would love doing this! Thanks for sharing.
TidyMom
May 1, 2011 @ 1:11 pm
Sweet idea!!!
Thanks so much for linking up this week!! I featured your post on my wrap up! http://tidymom.net/2011/im-lovin-it-wrap-up-5-1-2011/ Have a great weekend!
Jami
May 1, 2011 @ 1:30 pm
What a lovely idea! I know your friends will be blessed by your random act of kindness! The Pretty Packages Party is going on now. I'd love for you to stop by and share your beautiful May Day Basket.
http://blackberryvine.blogspot.com/2011/04/pretty-packages-party-9.html
Smiles!
Jami
Pamela
May 7, 2011 @ 2:35 am
I shared a cone project on my blog today, too. I wish I would have found this first so I could have linked back. Love your ideas for stuffing it.
Blessings,
Pamela
Jami
May 8, 2011 @ 2:17 pm
I featured you today!
Feel free to stop by and grab a button!
Smiles!
Jami