Easy to Make May Day Baskets

©joaniebaby 5-2-2012

May Day baskets were always fun when we were younger, but the tradition is gradually fading away. Maybe we can bring it back again. This Hub is several days late, but it can always be stored in your "activity file" for next year. It is an activity that you can do with your young children or grandchildren. There is no need for any expensive materials and it takes very little time. You will be able to keep your child or grandchild interested throughout the whole process as they will be able to "help out" or even do it by themselves with guidance from you.

The materials needed are a 10" by 10" piece of construction paper or poster board, and two brass brad paper fasteners. That's it! You will notice in the pictures that the poster board I used had different colors--red on one side and yellow on the other. That makes a really pretty basket.

First cut out a 9 in. by 9 in. square for the basket from your construction paper and a 1" by 10" strip for the handle. On the 9" by 9" square measure strips that are 3 in. wide and draw lines across the paper, both horizontally and vertically. You should have nine 3-in squares marked out on your paper now. Then cut from the top to the first line on the two strips, and from the bottom to the first line on the same two strips. Score the remaining uncut lines with a pencil or blunt scissors, which makes it easier to fold the squares. Fold up the center pieces. Measure down 1 1/2" from top of side piece and 1/2" from side edge and mark that spot. Do the same on the other side piece. Punch holes on these marks with a small paper punch. Then fold the side pieces over the center piece so that the tips meet and mark the hole on the center piece. Punch a hole on the mark. Do the same for the other side of the basket. Mark a spot, in the middle, 1/2" from both ends of the handle and punch holes over these marks. Use brass metal fasteners to assemble the side pieces, center piece and handle.

This basket can be decorated in any manner that you want. You can decorate the main piece before you assemble it, or after assembly, and decorate the handle in any way also. The basket can be filled with artificial grass and flowers, or artificial grass and small candies. Use your imagination for the decoration and the fillers. I did not decorate the basket in the pictures as I wanted you to use your ideas.

These baskets can also be used other times of the year, for Easter, birthdays, Christmas, or any time your imagination desires. Just be creative!