by Trenda
“Dear old world … You are very lovely, And I am glad to be alive in you.” ~ from Anne of Green Gables
It’s May! The darling month when everything seems possible. Look at this sweet description of May Day from The Old Farmer’s Almanac established in 1792.
“With winter’s retreat, colts and calves kick up their heels and frisk over fresh grass, seedlings seek the sun, and birds call for mates….And we humans join their revels for one day: during spring’s “May Day” festival, even serious-minded folk put work aside to enjoy Nature’s exuberance!”
Still quoting The Farmer’s Almanac … “Here are some joyful May Day traditions marking the return of spring and the renewed gift of life.
- Neighbors may leave baskets of flowers on each other’s doorsteps or doorknobs.
- Kids can go barefoot on May Day for the first time.
- People will crown a “May Queen” for the day’s festivities.
- Beekeepers will move bees on May 1st.
- Fishermen expect to catch fish on May Day.
- On May Day morning, if a maiden gathers dew before sunup and sprinkles her face with it, she will enjoy luck and youthful beauty for the rest of the year.
- Farmers often plant corn, cucumbers, and turnips on this day.
- Villagers may hold theatrical battles between “summer” and “winter” that banish the winter.
- The Kentucky Derby starts off the month of May (the first Saturday of the month).
- On May 1st, people in Britain welcome spring by “Bringing in the May,” or gathering cuttings of flowering trees for their homes.
- May 1st in Hawaii is called “Lei Day,” and people will receive prizes this day for wearing the prettiest handmade leis.”
Hanging May Day baskets is an enchanting custom that is fun to incorporate into your own family traditions. Sweet paper cones made from stock card paper with scalloped edges and ribbons are easy to make and are a delightful surprise to find.
Supplies Needed:
- stock card paper (double sided paper if you want a pattern on the inside and outside of your May Day cone)
- scissors
- scalloped edged scissors
- ribbon
- shredded paper or tissue paper
- craft glue
- florist vials, if using fresh flowers
- candy, flowers, little gifts, etc.
Instructions:
- Cut stock card paper into a 7-inch square (I used double-sided stock paper to have prints on both the outside and inside of my May Day gift cones
- Use decorative scissors to cut scallops around the top edge of the square
- Place pencil tip at the bottom of the paper and begin rolling paper around pencil tip to form cone
- Secure outer flap of cone with glue
- Punch holes along scalloped edge approximately 1″ apart, beginning at the top front center
- Thread a 22″ – 24″ length of 1/2″ ribbon through the holes
- Tie ribbon into bow in the front … leaving a 6″ loop at the back of the cone for hanging
- If using fresh flowers, use florist vials and fill with water and flower stems to tuck into the cone, or fill with shredded paper or tissue paper and fill cone with silk flowers,candy, little gifts, etc.
What a lovely surprise to find hanging on your door … a May Day gift cone filled with silk flowers, a package of “Ferrero Rocher, fine hazlenut chocolates” and Unicorn Sparkle Nail Polish. (:
This sweet little May Day cone is filled with silk flowers, a tube of lipstick, and a small bottle of perfume.
Hope your May Day is filled with lots of sunshine and happy surprises!
From my cottage to yours ~ Trenda
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Chloe Crabtree with Celebrate & Decorate
Cottage Green on the Lake 