FYI, parts of this post is from previous May Days.
In first grade, my teacher Mrs. Iverson showed us how to make May Day baskets from pink and yellow construction paper. We drew ivy and flowers on the paper baskets with our thick crayons before going up one-by-one to our teacher’s desk to get the handle stapled on.
On the way home from school, we walked together picking dandelions and soft lavender-colored clover to fill our baskets. The more daring kids picked pansies or snap dragons from a neighbor’s yard to add to their construction paper baskets.
We took turns “May Daying” the neighbors.
I climbed the steps to Mrs. Fixie’s front door. She was the grandmotherly lady with the neat white bun on top of her head who often gave me home-made oatmeal cookies.
I hung the basket on her doorknob. Then, I rang her doorbell and ran as far as my first-grade legs would take me. I hid behind a hedge and watched her open the front door and scan the neighborhood.
Then, she looked at her doorknob at the paper basket filled with flowering weeds. A big smile broke across her face.
“Happy May Day!” I yelled jumping up behind the shrubs.
Where did this fun tradition begin? But, more importantly, where did it go?
Did your kids make May Day baskets in school? Did they surprise your elderly neighbors with baskets of flowers and sunshine on May 1st? Mine did not.
When my mom was in an assisted living home three states away, I always ordered her a basket of flowers on May Day. The card read “Happy May Day! Love, ???”
She’d call to thank me and I’d say, “I don’t have any idea what you’re talking about!”
“Really? I could have sworn it was you! I wonder who sent me these flowers?” she’d answer.
That’s how we’ve kept our May Day tradition alive. My son sometimes remembers to text me flower emojis to wish me “Happy May Day.” While my daughter was home, she’d pick bougainvillea, snap dragons and roses from our back yard and pound on the door after school and her swim meet.
I’d run outside and won’t be able to contain the smile on my face as I race around the yard trying to catch her.
In our empty nest, my husband usually remembers to buy flowers, leaves them on the front porch, rings the doorbell and runs away.
Happy May Day, everyone!
How do you celebrate May Day? Or, have you ever celebrated it?
I have never celebrated May Day
I don’t think most people have.
I celebrate the entire month of may….
It’s a beautiful month!
I grew up celebrating May Day much like you have described. But then I raised my kids in Hawaii, where they celebrate Lei Day on May 1st, and it has its own set of traditions. I don’t really celebrate May Day at all anymore. Thanks for the reminder though. I’m sure I can at least manage a few texts with emoji flowers!
I like Lei Day! I’m thinking about getting some flowers at Trader Joe’s for myself today if nobody remembers.
Great memories EA! I have a vague memory of making some sort of May Day basket and learning about leaving it for a neighbor early in elementary school… As an adult May Day has become synonymous with rights for workers and various activities surrounding that social issue.
I bet the worker’s rights has been around a long time, but we didn’t know about it until we were adults. At least that’s my guess. Yes, we grew up in the same area. The May Day basket and Maypole dances are Scandinavian traditions that made their way into our area.
This whole post is so fun! I’ve never heard of the May Day flower basket tradition and have never participated, though I really like the idea.
I enjoyed May Day so much. As I told Deb, May Day celebrations come from Scandinavian traditions. I grew up in a town with lots of Scandinavian heritage and am Finnish myself.
Ah, that makes sense!
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Delightful, Elizabeth! My mother-in-law kept up the tradition – buying pansies for her kitchen garden every year to celebrate May Day. Joyful! 🥰
I love pansies! What a wonderful tradition. I either have to drop a hint to hubby or run to the store for a bouquet and May Day him!
Love it…so would my sweet mom-in-law Maxine…I know she’s smiling right now! 🥰
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Perfect emojis! 🌺
Thanks! 🌷🌷🌷
The May Day we celebrate is Labor Day to honor the people who died protesting for their rights. I have no idea what May Day is in USA.
May 1st is May Day here. I didn’t know that is when or why you celebrate May Day. Thanks for letting me know.
What are the traditions you celebrate on May Day?
I believe it’s Scandinavian, at least I grew up in a town with that heritage. There used to be Folk dancing around a Maypole and the flower baskets. May 1 is the midway point between the spring equinox and the summer solstice. I believe it’s a celebration of Spring.
Oh I see. In your part of the world, it’s a joyous holiday and a somber one in our part of the world.
It sure sounds like that.
Better be happy than sad
Yes. I agree. It’s a beautiful day today.
Enjoy it ! Hugs
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I remember making May Day baskets like the one in the drawing. And filling it with dandelions. Then giving it to my mother. It was how we celebrated, no dancing around the May Pole though which is how my mother’s generation celebrated the day.
I remember a Maypole when I was very young. I think it was at a school in the field, but it was before I was in kindergarten. I’m glad to know a few people here made May Day baskets. Great memories.
Aww, Happy May Day! ❤️
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I’m so happy I’m reading this on my iPad so I can reply with 🌻🌻🌻
Happy May Day!!! 🌸🌸🌺🌸
Happy May Day, Elizabeth!
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Happy May Day to you, but I never celebrated it before.
Happy May to you! 🌼🌼
Happy May Day!!!!
I’ve celebrated May Day since my kids started school and their preschool teacher introduced me to the tradition. We still visit their old school to see the May Pole dance and today is the day! I’m excited to wear white and put a crown of flowers on my head 🙂
That’s amazing! I didn’t know schools still had May Pole dances and made baskets. YAY!
We’ve never celebrated May Day, but I love your tradition, Elizabeth!
I ended up celebrating this year, by picking out a bouquet I liked at the grocery store and Maydaying my husband! Of course, the flowers are really for my enjoyment. 😁