Friday, April 29, 2011

May Baskets

Hi y'all! Did you make May baskets as a child and hang them on the neighbor's door, knock and then run like crazy so they wouldn't know who had left them?
I suppose that old tradition has long since been forgotten by most, but I still like to make May baskets. I just don't knock and run anymore.  :)

Since Sunday is May 1st... May Day, I started thinking of ideas for May baskets to give to friends and neighbors, anonomously, of course. lol

At first I thought of the traditonal ones with the basket made of paper in a cone shape, but couldn't find any paper in the house that was strong enough...or pretty enough, so... on to plan B.
I have a little basket I'd painted white, so I decided to use that.
I chose flowers from the garden that are in bloom... well, two days ago. I lined the basket with a little baggie and put in a piece of oasis to keep them fresh.


Here's the one I made that's more "traditional" in it's look.
Oh, and of course, I tied a bit of ribbon around it.


You can see I really had a good bit in bloom in the garden.

Then I started thinking of ways I could make a basket if I didn't have a garden or wanted to do something a bit less traditional.
If I bought small plants at the garden center, I could make little pots to be placed on the doorsteps of the recipient instead of hanging them on the door knob.

These I made with succulents from the garden center and using pots I already had. Then I tied a bit of webbing and string around two of them just to gussy them up a bit.


They're sitting in a basket I got today at a yard sale. You'll see that in another post.





My mind began to think of all sorts of containers. So many things could be used... small tin cans, teacups,  anything that suits your fancy and would hold flowers.



This little creamer holds three little Toad Lily plants from the shade garden.
This is a fun way to share plants with a gardening friend.


 An empty tea tin, tied with a little ribbon, holds Basil plants for the person who likes to cook with herbs.

So you see the possibilities are endless. 
I'm sure you have loads of ideas for May baskets.

What do you think?  Do you like the more traditional one or the more "contemporary" ones?

Wishing you all a lovely May Day Sunday... May 1st .



           Thanks for stopping by, I always enjoy your visits.
                                                Babs 

18 comments:

Sarah said...

Babs, I need to get busy! I love the thought of May Day baskets. Your's are charming. Beautiful blooms from your garden. Happy May Day! ~ Sarah

Confessions of a Plate Addict said...

How pretty, Babs! You really do have a lot of flowers blooming in your garden right now! I am soooo far behind...just surfacing for a few moments from babyland! Kim says you are riding together to the luncheon...what fun! I will be at my grandson's little league game! Enjoy! Happy weekend!...hugs...Debbie

Beverly@southernhomesweethome said...

Beautiful flowers in your gardens. Are those blue iris? The color is lovely...and the peoonies are wonderful.

Ann@A Sentimental Life said...

your may day basket is gorgeous! I first remember May day when I was little and my grandparents moved, their new neighbors put a May day basket on their door! I was so excited and won't forget it...I was 5!

Kim @ Savvy Southern Style said...

Babs, that flower basket is beautiful. What great color. Love all your other containers, too. See you soon.

Ann from On Sutton Place said...

Hi Babs...excellent ideas and great inspiration. I especially love the basil in the tin. This is one of those posts that everyone needs once in a while. Fresh ways to use what we already have. Wish I was your neighbor! I posted a giveaway so come on by and enter...~Ann

Alycia Nichols said...

Fabulous ideas!!!

Southern Fried Gal said...

This is the first I have heard of May Day tradition - where have I been - ha! I love your baskets. The flowers from your garden are gorgeous. I like the pot with webbing, too. Lovely!

Linda (Nina's Nest) said...

Love the May baskets! Hope you had fun at the blogger luncheon today! I hope to be there next time. Thanks for your comments about the blogger issues - rats...Linda : )

Deb said...

You are so far ahead of us. We don't have any flowers blooming except pansies so far. My favorite is the tea can. Such a cute idea. Love them all. Hugs, Deb=^..^=x5

Kathleen said...

No, we never did May baskets. I went to Catholic School so we had a May Crowning of the Blessed Mother.

I love your May basket, so pretty, Babs!

Linda@Coastal Charm said...

Babs,
You have so many wonderful ideas here...thanks for giving me these ideas...I'm off to copy you:)

Blessings,
Linda

Stacey said...

What a pretty post. Great ideas! I'm planning to take jelly jars with flowers to some of my friends at school tomorrow. :)

Pat said...

Oh My Gosh! Babs! I just saw the post at Savvy Southern Style, and there you were. How fun to have so many of you in one city!

Pat

Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality said...

Babs, so nice to meet you too & glad you came out for the lunch. It was a lot of fun to chat & get to know everyone. Sorry I missed your name, I went back & added it. Next time, we will have to chat more. It's always fun to do a blogger's meet & greet!

Alison @ The Polohouse said...

Hi Babs!
I love both traditional and the contemporary containers.... but please tell me,
what kind of roses are the pale ivory cabbage rose looking ones that you show in your traditional basket???
They are gorgeous! So full and so many petals. Maybe we don't have that
variety here in Illinois.
So English...just gorgeous.
Love that basket full.
My favorite.
Happy May!
xox
Alison

Diann said...

I love your May basket! It is so vibrant and beautiful!

The Tablescaper said...

So love your May basket!

- The Tablescaper