Easy Door Gifts for May Day & Mother’s Day

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Happy May Day! May Day is an old tradition celebrating the first day of May. Throughout the years, people would celebrate by secretly hanging baskets of spring flowers on the doors of friends or neighbors. And although it is not widely celebrated now, I thought it would be good to use the tradition to spread some kindness in today’s world. If you want to read more about this May Day tradition, check out this article.

I had honestly never heard of May Day until I was looking for ideas to spread some cheer in this difficult time. As many people all over the world are stuck in their homes, I wanted to brighten someone’s day with a basket of spring flowers. This seemed like a perfect way to make someone’s day and plus, you likely have all the supplies laying around your house.

Also, Mother’s Day is right around the corner (hint hint to my husband). I know that many families are not able to visit their mothers or grandmothers during this time. I thought these simple door gifts would be a way to show some love to moms from a distance.

We recently hung some May Day baskets on our neighbor’s doors. The kids had fun ringing the doorbells and running, but the best part was seeing the smiles on our neighbor’s faces when they opened the door.

So today I’m sharing an easy May Day basket that can be used as a special surprise for a loved one or unsuspected neighbor.

Supplies

Here’s what you will need:

• Flowers
• Paper towels
• Plastic wrap
• Paper (thick craft paper. scrapbook paper or wrapping paper works well)
• Ribbon
• Hole punch
• Tape
• Scissors
• Gift Labels (optional)

Make sure the point of the cone is closed at the bottom. Keep rolling the cone until the paper overlaps and the cone is closed.

Step 3: Secure the paper cone with tape.

Now you have your paper cone ready to fill and hang. First, we’ll need to prep the flowers and add the ribbon hanger.

Step 4: Punch holes on both sides of the cones and slide ribbon through the holes. Make a knot on each side to secure the ribbon. If your paper is a little thin (like mine), you can add some strength by taping the inside of the cone before punching a hole for the ribbon hanger.

Step 5: Wrap a damp paper towel around the base of the flower stems. Then cover the paper towel with plastic wrap. Make sure that the wet paper towel is fully covered with the plastic wrap. You don’t want a soggy May Day basket. Preparing the flowers this way will also help the flowers to stay fresh while you deliver them.

Step 6: You can add a gift label at this point, but it is totally optional. I made some Mother’s Day gift tags. You can download the tags, print on card stock and cut them out. You can add the tag with tape or glue.

Step 7: Hang the May Day baskets on the door, ring the doorbell and wait for their reaction. Try to be a little sneaky. It’s fun for it to be a true surprise.

Gift Tag Printables

Below are the Mother’s Day gift tags I created for the May Day baskets. You can download the tags or click the image below. Print the gift tags on card stock, cut them out and attach them to the paper flower cones.

Well, I hope you enjoyed this tutorial on easy door gifts for May Day, Mother’s Day or really any day. Maybe this inspires you to spread some kindness to your family, friends or total strangers. It has truly lifted my spirits when I can brighten someones day, even if it is only for a few moments.

How will you spread some kindness today?