5/1/08

May Day Baskets and Winner!

The girls were sneaking around in our neighborhood, going from door to door, as they didn’t want to be caught - lest they get a kiss! SMOOCH!!

For May Day, my daughter and her friend practiced a random act of kindness. Not only did they have a special time together, but using supplies that we had in our home (and a quick run to the market up the street for flowers), they whipped up little May Day flower baskets for our neighbors! They went around our neighborhood and secretly hung them on the front doors. The trick is this - you don't want the neighbor to see you! If you get caught, you are supposed to get a kiss.

I love May Day. It’s full of giving, love and surprise! As the girls were making their baskets, I read to them about other traditions around the world.

On May 1st, people in Hawaii celebrate their own version of May Day; calling it Lei Day. People give Hawaiian leis to each other. They put them around each other's necks and sometimes give a traditional kiss.

In France, cows play an important role in May Day. The cows are led in parades with many flowers attached to their tails. The people watching try to touch the cows; it is believed to be good luck.

In Germany, one tradition is for boys to secretly plant a May tree in front of the window of the girl they love.

In London, May Day is celebrated with the children going from house to house. They bring flowers and get pennies in return. The pennies are then thrown into a wishing well. Then they are donated to charity.

I want to thank all of my kind friends for the very thoughtful comments that they left on the giveaway post. Wow! They were very encouraging, and if I could, I’d present to each one of you – on this May Day – these beautiful baskets full of flowers!

Happy May Day! Surprise a friend with flowers, or a phone call, or even a big HUG today. Or tell them how much you appreciate them.

Here’s to the winner of the apron & book!! Susie, from Pink Carnation in Bloom!!

“Kind words bring no blisters on the tongue that speaks them nor on the ear which hears them. Kind words are never wasted. Like scattered seeds, they spring up in unexpected places. Kindness is a conquering weapon. Kindness should not be all on one side. One good turn must have another as its return, or is will not be fair. He who expects kindness should show kindness. This is the high and holy mark of friendship.” Charles Haddon Spurgeon, 1834-1892

(For those of you who inquired about the camera I use, it is a Kodak EasyShare C360. Nothing fancy!) Read new Crosswalk post, here, on Combating Loneliness!

25 comments:

Jess said...

This is the greatest idea! Who doesn't like receiving a fresh bouquet? And they look so happy doing it...

Donnetta said...

We used to take flowers to the neighbors as children in celebration of May Day. Somehow, over the years I seemed to have forgotten this tradition. Thanks for reminding me of it today!! :-)

Congrats to Susie! I'm excited for her!!

Barb said...

Lucky Susie--I luv that apron! I wish I lived by the Happy Coughlins, so I could get a May basket too!

Wendy said...

I just posted about our May baskets too. How fun! I LOVE the flowers!

Michelle @ Sew-Krafty said...

I never heard of May Day...where have I been? Awesome idea!

Susannah said...

Such gorgeous colors! And what an inspiration to do random acts of kindness. Happy May Day!

e-Mom @ Chrysalis

Susie said...

What fun May Day gifts for your neighbors!

Once again, I am thrilled to be the winner of the book and the precious apron!

Karen Hossink said...

I have not heard of May Day, either. But what a great idea!
I am sure your daughters have created great memories with this activity. *grin*

tammi said...

Those are absolutely beautiful pictures, Sandy!! What an awesome surprise for your neighbours, too! I don't think Canadians celebrate May Day. At least not in our province, we don't. What a great way to do it, though.

Shanna said...

I haven't celebrated May Day since I was in elementary school - way back in the 60's. Your girls make it look like so much fun! The basket cones they made are SO cute...

Deidre said...

What a neat idea! I love it!

Tammy said...

We just got back from this very thing, Sandy! We've been doing it for several years- so glad to see another family is keeping this tradition up, too! :D
(I haven't posted on it this year, but did one year ago!)

Your flowers were better than ours, though...we didn't have as many to choose from this year, and went around the neighborhood trying to pick wildflowers- because of our weather they were much scarcer this year! But hopefully, the recipients will know it's the thought that counts! :)

Happy May Day!

Mrs. Darling said...

Those are gorgeous baskets. Every year I want to do this then I forget! :(

dawn klinge said...

Happy May Day! I love the baskets, so sweet. :)

~nanashouse~ said...

I can so remember doing this very same thing when I was in 5th or 6th grade. My friends and I used to bake cookies for different group homes and make cards to go with them. One year, at Christmas, we put together gift bags for a local home for "unwed mothers". This was in the day and age when pregnant teens were sent away to a home (to be less obvious). We were on the cutting edge of ministry and we didn't even know it!! We just wanted to reach out and make life more comfortable to those around us. I can't even count the pairs of slippers we knitted :-)

So...here I am 40 years later knitting bears for "The Mother Bear Project" and making squares for "The Linus Project".
Keep it up Balcony Girls!! Everyone appreciates you :-)

The Summer Kitchen Girls said...

Oh - I just love that idea!! I remember making May day cones in school once upon a time - thanks for today's post!
Karla

Melissa @ The Inspired Room said...

Such a fun memory of days gone by for me!

:-)

Blessings,
Melissa

Kirstin said...

How fun! I remembered too late in the day that this was May Day and what is usually done on this day. We were off early this morning for a field trip to Bob's Red Mill facility.

Anonymous said...

What a fabulous idea! I know your girls really enjoyed brightening the neighbors day and it must have given you great joy to watch them. It was a beautiful day wasn't it?
Jen

The Tin House said...

Sandy, we have no May Day tradition at all here in Australia. I'm not even sure what it is celebrating? I had a half baked suspicion it was about trade union movements and working people but I can see I'm off track there. The girls look so radiant and the flower baskets are too cute. You'd love to have seen the looks on your neighbours faces when they opened their front doors wouldn't you! Lisa x

An Adventurer in the World said...

congratulations Suzie!

deb meyers

paperjunk-lc said...

I made 6 May day bouquetes this year it was a fun little project.
I just posted some pictures!

Anonymous said...

How lovely!

Rebekah said...

Oh, I love that! And what a neat thing for friends to do together.

Darla said...

Tho girls look radiant with their flowers. I'm so glad this tradition is being kept alive.

Darla