It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood. A beautiful day for a neighbor. Would you be mine? Could you be mine?
Not sure about your area, but Philadelphia has been gorgeous the last few days. A little hot, but hey, I'll take it. I went to IKEA to purchase a bench for my patio. And I even picked up some plants at Lowes that I'm seriously hoping my black thumb and I can keep alive through the summer. Yesterday at 6pm, I grabbed a glass of ice water and my copy of GOOD and sat out on my patio, enjoying the cool breeze off the Delaware River. I can't remember the last time I felt so relaxed.
In honor of the changing of the seasons, and the changing of the calendar pages, today's assignment was actually a suggestion stolen from Real Simple.
Today's Assignment: Celebrate May Day
Won't you be my neighbor? When was the last time you rang someone's door bell and ran away? I'll bet it wasn't because you were trying to be sweet. But it's a really cute tradition that could use some reviving. I have great neighbors. The kind of neighbors that bring over cupcakes on holidays and take your trash can up your driveway on windy days. So I think they would be the perfect recipients of May Baskets.
According to the trusty Wikipedia:
In some parts of the United States, May Baskets are made. These baskets are small and usually filled with flowers or treats and left at someone's doorstep. The basket giver would ring the bell and run away. The person receiving the basket would try to catch the fleeing giver. If they caught the person, a kiss was to be exchanged.
Nevermind the kiss part, that would be a little weird. But I think leaving a surprise on their doorstep is really sweet! Don't you?
If you're the crafty type, try this suggestion from the Queen herself, Martha Stewart:
6 comments:
THAT IS A CUTE IDEA! too bad i dont live in a "neighborhood" to really do that.
This is a great idea. May Day is May 1st and it's my sister's birthday so I'm going to suggest to her that we do this. Thanks for the idea. :)
Yes! I want to try this. I'll report back... :)
OMG!! I totally did this as a kid. I read about it in one of those "B is for Betsy" books, and I wanted to do it. My poor mom never stood a chance.
Anyhow, I went to 5 houses around the neighborhood, and most of the houses did not understand what i was doing. One woman said "No, I'm not buying anything." When I tried to explain that it was free, she did not get it. (However, I was only 7 or 8, so who knows how I explained it!) LOL
My suggestion is to include that Wikipedia explanation with your gift. Otherwise, most people just won't "get it."
That would be more than a little weird. The kissing I mean.
Otherwise, awesome idea!
I did this as a kid, too. We would make little baskets at school that day (more like cones with handles) and I would pick flowers on my walk home from school and put it on my front door knob and knock. My mom feined surprise every year. It was the sweetest fun. I don't know which of us loved it more-I loved doing it and get very sentimental (and, truth be told, a little sad too that it is no longer done) every year on May 1st. Even my middle son, who's 23, had a May Day event at his school in Pacific Grove, CA (what can you expect from a town that still has a Butterfly Parade and a Pet Parade on July 4th?) with a may pole and dance. Ahhh, those were the days...that we need to bring back. Thank you for your part in doing so!
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