The first day of May marks the beginning of longer days, warmer weather, and blooms bursting into life. For gardeners, this time of year feels especially joyful. One tradition that beautifully captures the spirit of spring—and deserves a revival—is the charming May Day basket. With a focus on flowers and thoughtful giving, this garden-inspired practice is perfect for spreading happiness. Here’s how the tradition began and how you can craft your own blooming basket straight from your garden.
What Is a May Day Basket?
A May Day basket is a simple container—like a basket, bag, or box—filled with flowers, treats, or small gifts, quietly delivered to someone’s doorstep on May 1. The real magic lies in the surprise. These baskets are meant to be left in secret, hung on a doorknob or placed on a porch without revealing the giver. It’s a joyful gesture, straight from the garden to the heart.
1. Rooted in Garden Traditions: Where May Day Baskets Began
Though the colorful Maypole dances of old Europe are better known, the act of gifting flowers on May Day started long ago. In Medieval Europe, spring celebrations often involved gathering flowers, crafting garlands, and decorating poles with greenery and ribbons. It was a way to celebrate the earth’s renewal—and gardens were at the center of it all.
In the U.S., newspapers as early as the 1800s described May Basket Day. Children would pick flowers and deliver them in handmade baskets to friends and neighbors. Louisa May Alcott even included the tradition in her 1880 novel Jack and Jill, writing about kids collecting blooms and sneaking up to porches to leave their flowery gifts behind.
In The American Girl’s Handy Book from 1887, authors Lina and Amelia Beard praised the “very pretty” May Day habit, where children would pick wildflowers and deliver them quietly with a knock before running away. That spirit of giving, inspired by nature and friendship, is worth bringing back.
2. A Gardener’s Gift: What To Put in Your May Day Basket
May Day baskets aren’t just for children. Gardeners especially will enjoy creating and receiving these sweet surprises. Whether you grow flowers, herbs, or vegetables, there’s always something from the garden that can brighten someone’s day.
Here are a few ideas:
Fresh Flowers: A simple bunch from your garden—daffodils, tulips, pansies, or peonies—makes a beautiful gift.
Garden Treasures: Add seed packets for fellow gardeners, dried herbs for a home cook, or a mini potted plant for a touch of green indoors.
Personal Touches: Include a cheerful note, a drawing, or a tiny garden-themed trinket like a plant marker or packet of wildflower seeds.
Homemade Snacks: Wrap some garden-inspired treats, like carrot cake muffins or dried fruit mix, and tuck them into your basket for a thoughtful edible surprise.
No matter what you choose, the key is to make it from the heart—and ideally, from the garden.
3. Flower Favorites: What Blooms to Use From Your Yard
If you have a garden, you likely have everything you need to make a stunning May Day bouquet. Consider these springtime blooms:
Tulips: Their bright colors and elegant shape are a May Day classic.
Daffodils: Cheerful and sunny, they scream spring.
Peonies: Their lush, romantic blossoms add beauty and fragrance.
Pansies and Violas: These tiny flowers bring a pop of color and are easy to grow.
Freesias: Known for their sweet scent, they make a fragrant addition.
Budding Branches and Greenery: Don’t forget about leafy stems or sprigs of herbs like mint or rosemary.
For cut flowers, place stems in small jars with water. For potted plants, tuck them into lined containers with soil. The beauty of May Day baskets lies in their simplicity—let your garden guide the way.
4. How To Make a May Day Basket From Garden Finds
The best part about May Day baskets? They don’t have to be fancy. Start with what you already have, and let nature do the decorating.
Here are some easy garden-themed basket ideas:
Paper Cone: Roll a piece of colorful paper into a cone, secure with tape or glue, and add a ribbon handle for hanging. Pop in a few fresh-cut flowers.
Mason Jar Bouquet: Fill a clean jam or mason jar with blooms. Add a twine bow and a tag, and it’s ready to go.
Small Hanging Basket: Use a lined wicker basket with potting soil, and plant daffodils, pansies, or herbs. It’s a mini container garden with charm.
Strawberry Cartons: Repurpose berry baskets by lining them with tissue paper and adding small potted pansies or violas. Use string or pipe cleaners for handles.
Floral Door Swag: Wrap greenery and peonies into a small bundle, tie with ribbon, and hang from a doorknob. This simple swag brings a burst of the garden to any entryway.
Florist Foam Hanger: Soak a small piece of floral foam, tie it to a stick, and insert garden flowers and greenery. Tie on a ribbon, and your hanging gift is complete.
Let Your Garden Speak Through Giving
Gardens are about more than plants—they’re about joy, connection, and the beauty of sharing. Reviving the tradition of May Day baskets is a lovely way to express all three. Whether you grow a few pansies on your windowsill or have a full spring garden, May Day is the perfect time to spread sunshine.
So this May 1st, gather some blooms, wrap them with care, and surprise a neighbor, friend, or loved one. After all, the simplest gifts—those made with love and garden-grown—are often the most memorable.
