12 Comments
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eagle rock and the wolf's avatar

What a lovely tradition, naturally I collect wildflowers around this time of year & i can't wait to start this sweet tradition with my own daughter in the future.

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Ryan B. Anderson's avatar

You can do it tomorrow!!!

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Amy Walsh's avatar

Great idea, I had sort of forgotten about May baskets, but my daughters are 6 and 9, which seems like the perfect age for it.

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Ryan B. Anderson's avatar

Absolutely perfect! Please post the results.

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Amy Walsh's avatar

Will do, debating whether our neighbors get some beautifully scented greens and dandelions on May 2 or we wait until the lilacs bloom :)

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David Perlmutter's avatar

This idea is new to me- I wish I'd known about it sooner.

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Stacy Boone's avatar

I am all in for the gifting of these May baskets, a secretive surprise. How it would feel for my - not anywhere near the age of a child - to hide behind a tree to observe in patient wait. To share a sampling of cookies, a slice of chamomile bread, a jar of blueberry jam - just because I can.

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Andrea Stoeckel's avatar

I remember paper woven May baskets with what few wildflowers were around in May in RI - when we should not plant before Mother's Day . I remember sneaking a Hershey's kiss or 2 in the bottom of the fragile basket and hanging it on the door of our across the street neighbors

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Casey B. Head's avatar

When I was a child growing up in the suburbs, wildflowers were in short supply. So a may basket might just be a dandelion, or twig of some spring flowering trees, stuck in a paper Dixie cup with whatever was left of your Easter candy. I remember doing it until I was 7 or 8 but that is going on 40 years ago.

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Laura Lollar's avatar

Loved your May basket essay! May Day was always a wonderful day of celebration when I was growing up although we never created May baskets. Great photos - really brought the essence of Spring home! Thank you!

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Treladon's avatar

I've never heard of this, but my family left the rural lifestyle four generations ago already. It sounds fun, though.

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Lisa gh's avatar

Love this. Thx for sharing this lovely simple yet poignant piece of history and community

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