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In celebration of May Day: Baskets of Peace
Bethany Jewell
For Coastal Parent
  Bethany Jewell photo
A completed May Day basket hanging on a neighbors door spreads the measage of innocence, purity, and peace.
Did You Know?
For years it was customary for women to rise before dawn on May 1 and walk deep into the woods in search of the morning dew of hawthorn branches. They would wash their faces in this "Maydew" trusting it kept their skin from aging.
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With spring in the air, flowers once dead, now reach open their blossoms and trees once budded, branch out with new leaves of life. Along with this transition of rebirth comes May Day, celebrated on May 1 of each year.
Dating back to Roman times, children would gather garlands of flowers, carrying them to the temple of Flora, the Roman goddess of flowers and spring. Brightly dressed, they wound the blossoms around a huge marble column, dancing praises for the rebirth brought by Flora. Later, a tree replaced the column, symbolizing the great "tree of life." Instead of garlands of flowers, children danced around the tree weaving brightly colored cloths to its trunk.
This dance around the May Pole continues to be the most common May Day celebration throughout Europe. Unfortunately, in America, it has barely endured the grim face of Puritanism. But opinions change, and slowly May Day is regaining recognition as spring's rite of passage. Considered the opposite of Halloween (the festival of death), May Day brings promises of life and rebirth.
In Europe, children made May baskets filled with flowers and herbs. On the morning of May 1st, the children sneakily hung them on a neighbor's door. Given as a gift of love and life, May baskets came to symbolize innocence, purity and peace.
As times in our own world become stressful and full of violent unrest, create a new tradition with your children to celebrate the possibilities of life. Hang these small baskets on the doors of your neighbors, family members, or special friends, showering them with innocence, purity and peace.
Creating a May Day Basket:
You will need:
- Construction Paper or Paper of your choice
- Glue or Tape
- Ribbon
- Scissors
- Hole Punch
- Paper Doilies (optional)
- Basket filler: flowers, herbs, small candies or friendship notes
Fold construction paper into a cone and glue or tape it to keep the shape.
Cut top of cone to desired edging or leave plain.
Glue paper doilies around outside of cone to decorate.
Punch two holes on opposite sides of cone, 1/2" from the top edge. Thread ribbon through holes to create a basket handle. Knot ribbon so that it cannot slip through the holes.
Fill your basket with petals, flowers, herbs, small candies or any other special objects.
Sneak over to a neighbor, friend or family member's door and hang your basket on the knob. Knock and hide before you are seen.
If filling basket with fresh herbs or flowers, wrap them in a moist paper towel and then plastic wrap before placing them into the basket. May Day baskets don't have to be made of construction paper. You can easily make a basket by recycling an old milk carton, water bottle, or many other household items. Be creative.
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