May 1st – “May Day” - has traditionally been a time to celebrate a time of renewal, rebirth, a fresh beginning. It was originally a Pagan holiday to celebrate spring at its peak and the coming of summer and there was a whole day of festivities that included making of May Baskets, dancing around a May Pole and crowning of the “Queen of the May”. It was particularly popular in the US in the 19th and 20th centuries. Now, it is considered quaint and barely remembered by most people. However, May 1st is still celebrated in many countries around the world with their own customs and reasons to celebrate.
Making of May Baskets was one of the most popular traditions, and children of the 1940’s probably still remember making them. The custom was to make a small basket from various materials, paper plates, small cardboard containers, or creating a cone from construction paper, attaching a handle of some sort, decorating it with paper doilies, colored paper, paint, ribbons, etc. and filling it with small flowers, ferns, and sometimes candy. It was then hung anonymously on the recipient’s door knob with a knock on the door and a yell, “May basket”. The person would then run away. If the recipient caught the giver, he or she was entitled to a kiss.
Although May Baskets are not a common custom anymore, you can find all kinds of directions, patterns, and materials for making them on the internet. Does this peak your interest? Maybe you can restart the tradition in your family. Here are some suggestions for making a simple May Basket. Just follow this link. If you want to learn more about Maypoles, here's a link. In the Celtic countries like Ireland and Scotland, May 1st is Beltane and denotes the first day of summer.
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