The custom of celebrating the first day of May began hundreds of years ago by country dwellers. People gathered to share a great feast and bless the birth and joy of spring. Celebrations included dancing around the May Pole, most likely a grain wheel, and picking spring flowers.

Over the years this tradition developed into May Day. In the United States, the May Basket emerged as neighbors presented baskets of flowers to one another.

In the new millennium, May Day baskets have taken on a new look. No longer just a casual assortment of spring flowers, but a sophisticated collection of useful items which reflect the personal tastes and interests of the receiver.

A few suggestions for creative May Day baskets:

For the Wine Connoisseur:

- Cork screw
- Bottles of wine
- Wine glasses
- Guide to buying wine
- Assortment of cheeses
- Assortment of crackers

For the Teacher:

- Colorful pencils
- Sticky notes with apples on them
- Red Apples
- A bag of chocolates, a teachers best friend
- Cinnamon-apple tea bags
- Mugs with apples on them
- Teachers stamps and stamp pad

For the Artist:

- Artists palette
- Sketch pad
- Assortment of brushes
- Charcoal pencils
- Bottles of turpentine and linseed oil
- Gum erasers

Creating a May Day basket around a theme is as easy as dropping by the grocery, department or craft store. Embellish your baskets with colorful tissues, ribbons and cellophanes. The fun part is mixing and matching colors and themes.