May Day

Happy May!! Warmer weather is coming!!! Well, I hope it is, but this is Michigan! *sigh* Today is May Day, which isn't very widespread in the USA. Kids can still make May Day baskets though and get some extra goodies! :) That is exactly what we did today! Harry got an extra little treat! :)

Here's a little history about it from www.ehow.com:

May Day, an annual holiday taking place on May 1, has its roots in pagan fertility rites and festivals. But it has evolved quite a bit since those ancient, initial celebrations. Today, the holiday is still celebrated in a few Western countries with festival activities that can be traced back to old European May Day celebrations.

Read more: http://www.ehow.com/about_6472109_history-may-day.html#ixzz30TCuSi9L

Here's the modern day way of celebrating it from www.ehow.com:

Today, May Day is still celebrated in parts of America and England. According to the Holiday Spot website, "The Puritans frowned on May Day, so the day has never been celebrated with as much enthusiasm in the United States as in Great Britain." But some public parks in America still display Maypoles around which children dance. Also, some churches, especially Catholic churches, still choose a young girl to be crowned the May Queen as part of a May Day celebration honoring the Virgin Mary. And some people leave flowers on the doorsteps or doorknobs of others on May 1. All these customs can be traced back to old European May Day traditions.

Read more: http://www.ehow.com/about_6472109_history-may-day.html#ixzz30TDcf5Wj

Here's a little bit about the May Day baskets which is also from www.ehow.com:

May baskets are a tradition of May Day, an ancient Roman and Druid holiday celebrated on the first of May. To welcome in the month of May, children fill baskets with flowers and candy. They then give these baskets away by setting them on a porch or tying them to a doorknob, ringing the bell and running away so the gift is anonymous.

Read more: http://www.ehow.com/info_7934203_kids-may-day-basket-ideas.html#ixzz30TEeF9HD

Anyways, we made May Day baskets this morning, and I put some lollipops and a new pack of crayons in it as Harry's gift. :)

Here is how we made our baskets:

1. First, cut one paper plate in half.


2. Cut out half of the middle of another paper plate.


3. Staple the halves together making a basket.


4. Decorate your basket! We used paint and stickers. :)


5. For the flowers... I made them out of Harry's handprints and we glued stems on them.

6. I put the flowers and goodies inside. :) Harry loved his basket this morning!!