May Day is complex, it has so many different meanings across the globe. To me, the highlight of May Day has always been bouquets of flowers stealthily delivered to neighbors doorsteps. For my generation and my children’s generation, it’s been a day when all of the neighbor kids gather together with snitched flowers to prepare fragrant, colorful deliveries of joy for all of the neighbors. I miss those days, so I am sharing this post again in hopes this tradition will continue in neighborhoods around the world…
On May Day, when I was growing up, all of the neighborhood kids would get together to make May Day bouquets. We’d raid the neighborhood gardens, make cones out of construction paper, with a “hook” to latch onto doorknobs and then get out to giggle and deliver.
The mission was to deliver bouquets to each of our neighbors doorsteps, ring the doorbell and then run as fast as possible, because if you were caught, the neighbor got to kiss you!
For years, my kids continued this tradition with their own neighborhood friends. I brought so much joy to the neighborhood.
Now teenagers, it took some compromises, such as store bought flowers, to convince my daughter and her teenage friend to participate in this ritual last year, and I’m sure it will be the last year.
So, I snapped a few shots, hoping the tradition and the joy it brings may continue.
When the kids were little they would use a stapler or tape to make construction paper cones, with a looped piece of construction paper attached for hanging the cone on the door knob.
Last year we used kraft paper and raffia,
with a banded plastic bag inside to keep the flowers hydrated.
Herbs and greens from the garden filled out the arrangements.
I hope that you and your neighbors
have some beautiful surprises on May Day.
It was so fun to do this as a child and it sounds like a giving tradition to continue on even as an adult!
xoxo
Karena
The Arts by Karena
Emily, this is such a beautiful post. I used to do something similar when I was a girl, and thought it was so much fun. I love the idea of giving pure unexpected joy and I'm sorry your daughter has left this tradition behind for now – hopefully someday she'll find it again.
I hope this May day brings you only beautiful surprises! XOXO
Love that, how pretty!! Flowers make me so happy!
I love the idea of this tradition!! When my daughter was in lower school the danced around a May pole! Happy May to you, Emily!!! Xoxo
So good to hear from you all about this tradition that is so near and dear to my heart. So pleased that it is familiar and embraced. Happy May Day to you all.