Do Maine School Children Still Make Pretty May Baskets?

The arrival of May 1st got me wondering if school kids still make May baskets or even know what one is?

TikTok Made Me Happy Because Someone Remembers May Baskets

When I was a kid, I remember making pretty baskets before May 1st, that we could take home to our families, or give to our classmates. Depending on which teacher I had that year, the baskets were either plain construction paper, woven to look like a basket, or plastic cups decorated with artistically curled and swirled crepe paper.

Most articles about May baskets say they're supposed to be filled with flowers, but we always put candy in ours. Sweets for the sweetest time of year, Spring!

READ MORE: You Might Be a Mainer If You Do These Things in Summer

Besides, we'd have to buy those flowers in Maine because it's too early to pick them from the garden.

Does Anyone Make May Baskets Anymore?

When I realized it's been a while since I've seen anyone with a May Basket, I did some research and found that it's a dying tradition. This makes me sad. I always thought it was fun creating those pretty little baskets full of sweet confections and leaving them for others to find, with no note indicating who left them.

Well, except that one time, as an adult, when I got caught leaving a basket of sweets and...well...we won't go into that. Suffice it to say, the surprise I got in return was not what I was expecting. (and it wasn't the traditional kiss you're supposed to expect when caught)

Maine Should Bring Back the Tradition of Gifting Baskets of Treats on May Day

But I digress. I vote we bring this tradition back next year, or even today. Make a sweet little basket, fill it with candies, cookies, flowers, or whatever you want. Then leave it for someone you love and celebrate May Day.