Suprise your neighbor with a traditional May Day door basket!

 Are you familiar with the old tradition of making a pretty basket or cone filled with flowers to hang on a neighbor’s door on May 1st? The tradition holds that you must sneak up and hang the basket, knock on the door, and run away. If you are caught, the neighbor must give you a kiss! Now, I really like my neighbors, but I think I will skip on the kissing part! Nevertheless, I think the tradition of giving your neighbor a pretty May Day basket is charming.

 

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The “baskets” are actually little door gifts which can be made out of anything from traditional baskets to paper cones, wall pockets, jars, upcycled cans, peat pots or any other kind of creative container you can think of. Simply fill the object of choice with faux flowers, fresh flowers, seed packets, candy, and maybe a little note or gift card. As I was working on my May Day cone I realized that these types door gifts would also be perfect for Mother’s Day!

 

Just for fun I decided to experiment with making my own May Day Victorian style “tussie mussie” using a vintage sheet music paper cone that I made during Christmas and some extra faux spring flowers, herbs and succulents  that I already had in my stash. I whipped it up in less than five minutes and hung it on our back door for the day.

 

I think it turned out so sweet! After today, I think I will hang it in the music room for the rest of spring.

 

 

My creative blogging friend Lora Bloomquist recently shared a fun DIY May Day Basket tutorial. She made the “basket” wall pocket out of card stock and used fresh hydranges So cute!

 

 

Sweet Kelly of The Tattered Pew shared how to make some pretty paper May Day cones out of scrapbooking paper.

 

May Day and Mother’s Day Door Gift  Ideas

Here are some other beautiful and creative May Day and/or Mother’s Day door gift basket, jars, cones, and peat pots.

 

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Southern Lady Magazine

My Mom would love finding a vintage mason jar filled with fresh flowers hanging on her door!

 

Yesterday On Tuesday

 

 

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 I love preserving old traditions such as giving door gifts to neighbors and friends on May Day. Beautiful tussie mussies were some of the most popular May Day “baskets” of yesteryear.

 

 

Ella Claire Inspired

A nosegay, posy, or tussie–mussie is a small flower bouquet, typically given as a gift. They have existed in some form since at least medieval times, when they were carried or worn around the head or bodice. Doilies are traditionally used to bind the stems in these arrangements.  Source

 

 

Skip To My Lou

 

 

 

I am just loving all of these pretty door gift ideas!

 

Homeward Found Decor

 

 

 

The Charm of Home

 

 

 

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Opening my door to find a little burlap bag filled with flowers,or seeds would just make my May Day!

 

Bright Settings

 

The Cottage Journal

 

Bright Settings

 

Working on has definitely inspired me to make a pretty door gift basket to surprise my mom on Mother’s Day (unless she reads this post first, then it won’t be such a surprise!) We love making up gift baskets for each other! Last year I made her a lavender themed gift basket and it was so much fun to put together.

 

 

Lovely Lavender Themed Gift Basket

 

If you have a lavender lover in your life and you are looking for a special gift idea, be sure to check out my post.

 

 

 

 

 

I hope you have enjoyed this pretty baskets and that this post has given you some ideas for Mother’s Day or May Day. Of course these little door gifts would also be perfect for birthday gifts too.

Have you ever made a May Day basket or May Day gift for a friend or neighbor? I love hearing from you, dear readers! Thanks for visiting today!

Amber