May 2007 Issue Extras

May Basket

May is the month of Mary, the Mother of God. Open the new month with an old tradition:  May baskets. Fun to give and fun to receive, you can make May baskets from a wide variety of materials. Try these simple ones; mix and match ideas; use your imagination to create your own May baskets.

• Staple a strip of paper for a handle to a paper cup.
• Roll a square of pretty paper into a cone. Staple or glue in place.
• Punch holes and attach a pipe cleaner handle.
• Save broken eggshell halves. Wash, dry, then glue on a ribbon handle.
• Add to the May basket a treat--candy, gum, nuts or popcorn--or a small gift--maybe a Spring sticker or a tea bag or a package of seeds.
• You might want to tuck a bit of a blossoming twig or a small flower into the May basket, too.
• And be sure to add a spiritual bouquet:  Include a note with a promise for a prayer for the person to whom you’ll give your May basket.

Then comes the really fun part:  Hang the May basket on the doorknob of somebody you love, ring the bell and run. Your surprise is sure to delight somebody; and that, in turn, will delight you. Catholic stewards know that making others feel good makes us feel good, too.