How to Make a May Basket

May Day is celebrated on May 1st every year. One popular May Day tradition from long ago is the May Basket. People would hang a basket filled with spring flowers or small gifts and treats on a neighbor's doorknob. The idea is to get away without being caught or the neighbor can give you a kiss.

I made this May Basket using patterns and instructions from familyfun.go.com and nestlefamily.com. 

This is what you'll need: 

• Scrapbooking paper or card stock 
• Fine line scrapbooking pen 
• Lollipops (I used Dum Dums) 
• Styrofoam cone 
• Scissors 
• Double-sided tape 
• Tacky glue 
• Standard hole punch 
• Ribbon 
• Trim to decorate cone.

Flowers:  

1. For each, cut three heart-shaped petals (I used the smallest heart), two leaves and one flower center from scrapbook paper or card stock. (I made the leaf pattern by tracing the edge of a cup on the fold of a folded piece of card stock. I made the flower center pattern by tracing around a small medicine cup and then cutting wedges out.)       

2. With a scrapbooking pen draw dashed lines on flower petals, solid lines on leaves, and squiggly lines on flower center. 

3. Punch a small hole in each, crease the heart petals in half, and slide all pieces onto a lollipop stem. Tape the petals together with double-sided tape to secure.

Cone Basket:

1. Print out the cone-shaped template and trace onto a sheet of decorative paper. (Notice the straight sides should be 8 inches, click on the template to enlarge it).
2. Roll the paper into a cone shape and secure lengthwise with double-sided tape. The opening should be about 3 inches in diameter.
3. Punch a hole on each side of the cone about 1 inch from the top edge. Insert each end of a twenty inch ribbon through the holes and tie so the ribbon will not pull through the holes.
4. Embellish basket as desired with rick rack, beads or buttons.
5. Insert Styrofoam cone into basket and stick flowers in it. Voila, you're done!