When I was a little girl, my mother and I made May Day baskets every year. I thought this was something everyone did, but I later found out it might not be that common, so here’s a quick run down. Basically, you roll paper into cones and fashion a little paper handle to create a basket. Then, you fill it with flowers and candy. The filled baskets are delivered in secret to your neighbors’ houses on May 1st. Growing up, we would sneak up each set of steps, ring the door bell and then, run as fast as we could to a hiding spot to watch them open it.

Last year, I made May Day baskets with Ellie, because it has always been one of my favorite traditions. She enjoyed it, but didn’t really understand the concept of running and hiding. This year, I think she will love every minute of it. She plays a pretty mean game of hide and seek.

However, we still have some work to do on making the baskets. Crafting with a toddler is never what you might expect. After we rolled the cones, Ellie announced “We need to hunt dinosaurs,” and then, proceeded to yell “Snore! Snore!” into her new megaphone. While she ran around the house in search of T-Rexes, I finished these up on my own.

May Day Basket Supplies:

• Scissors
• Stapler
• Double-stick tape
• Regular tape
• Pretty paper
• Ruler
• Pen

If you’re working with large sheets of paper like we were, start by measuring out a square that is a foot-long on each side on the back of the paper. Trace it as you go. You don’t have to be precise.

Then, cut out your square.

Along one side, add a strip of double-stick tape on the edge.

Now, it’s time to make the cone. Start with the corner opposite your taped edge and begin rolling at an angle. When you get to the end, press along the sticky edge. Tape any pieces that are sticking out.

Next, cut a long strip for the handle that is a foot long and about a half an inch wide. Staple it to one end, just inside the basket. Now secure the other side with a staple as well, bending the paper into a handle. If you are out of staples or yours starts to malfunction like mine did, you can always use tape, though it will probably be more fragile.

Fill your baskets with candy and flowers. We used pink carnations, smarties, hugs and kisses.