| The custom of celebrating the first day of May | | | | - Assortment of crackers |
| began hundreds of years ago by country dwellers. | | | | For the Teacher: |
| People gathered to share a great feast and bless | | | | - Colorful pencils |
| the birth and joy of spring. Celebrations included | | | | - Sticky notes with apples on them |
| dancing around the May Pole, most likely a grain | | | | - Red Apples |
| wheel, and picking spring flowers. | | | | - A bag of chocolates, a teacher's best friend |
| Over the years this tradition developed into May | | | | - Cinnamon-apple tea bags |
| Day. In the United States, the May Basket | | | | - Mugs with apples on them |
| emerged as neighbors presented baskets of | | | | - Teachers stamps and stamp pad |
| flowers to one another. | | | | For the Artist: |
| In the new millennium, May Day baskets have | | | | - Artist's palette |
| taken on a new look. No longer just a casual | | | | - Sketch pad |
| assortment of spring flowers, but a sophisticated | | | | - Assortment of brushes |
| collection of useful items which reflect the | | | | - Charcoal pencils |
| personal tastes and interests of the receiver. | | | | - Bottles of turpentine and linseed oil |
| A few suggestions for creative May Day baskets: | | | | - Gum erasers |
| For the Wine Connoisseur: | | | | Creating a May Day basket around a theme is as |
| - Cork screw | | | | easy as dropping by the grocery, department or |
| - Bottles of wine | | | | craft store. Embellish your baskets with colorful |
| - Wine glasses | | | | tissues, ribbons and cellophanes. The fun part is |
| - Guide to buying wine | | | | mixing and matching colors and themes. |
| - Assortment of cheeses | | | | |