Do your May Day Prep Now COVID-19-Style!

Celebrate May Day COVID-19-style!  If you know me, you know I love May Day!  For those that don’t know about May Day, it’s an ancient holiday in which people ran around a May pole in celebration on May 1st.  More recently, people would make May baskets and leave them on other people’s front steps and ding, dong, ditch – perfect for social distancing!  Personally, I always thought of May Day as the entrance into summer.  It is that sense of hope with spring flowers out, green grass, and school almost out for the year.  It may look a little different this year, but we all need a sense of hope right now. 

Normally, I wouldn’t break out my May Day post till closer to the day, however, with all the regulations, I thought it best to give you a few days to get supplies ordered and dream up your big ideas for others! 

In my day, a May Day basket was a red Solo cup with popcorn and Red Hots or M&M’s, but seeing as how we probably shouldn’t touch other people’s food, it might have to be a bag with microwave popcorn not popped and a bag of M’s that they can wipe down! 

Who do you leave May Day baskets for?  Family, friends, neighbors, someone you know is living alone right now – whoever you want!  There are plenty of DIY ways to make baskets on Pinterest, too, for you overachievers!  I use a brown paper bag with a “Happy May Day!” written on it or it gets written on a Ziploc with their goodies!  Anything will be appreciated right now!

Of course, you know I wouldn’t leave you hanging without other ideas, too! 

*Knife their lawn – yes, you heard me.  Get plastic knives and attach little sayings to each plastic knife then shove them in the ground!  The kids will love sneaking in to do it, and the person will love the warm fuzzies. 

*Have your kids make May Day cards!  Older people love a happy pic to put on their fridge or have them go draw with sidewalk chalk and leave them a message!

*What about Blizzards from DQ in Oakland?  In past years, your friends might not be home, but this year – they probably will be! Lol.

*I think flower seeds or mini plants would be great, too!  Most people have time on their hands to plant and flower seeds are a cheap gift!  EZ Greenhouse in Minden can set you up with plants, as could Blossoms or Sue’s Country Garden in Oakland.

*Fresh cut flowers are awesome, too!  The Avoca Flower Shop can help you out, as can Blossoms in Oakland.

*Popcorn, M&M’s, and a Coke – head to Rubacks in Oakland, Countryside Market in Minden, Avoca Food Land, or Dollar General in Avoca or Oakland.  Or if you want a bag of candied popped popcorn – Treynor Java Supply stocks it and they have a drive-thru window!

*Adult (or not) Beverages – A six-pack on the doorstep will definitely make some of my friends smile.  Want to help out our local businesses – grab them a margarita-to-go from El Sol in Oakland or Garcia’s in Underwood and Glenn’s in Walnut has beers ready for take-out as does the Bar’N and Grill in Carson, too!  And you can always get a box of Capri Sun or Kool-aid Jammers for the littles!

*Candles are great, too!  Not a huge expense and you can find Candle Queen Candles at the Country Store in Carson or find soy candles at Amy’s Attic, also in Carson. 

*No one turns down a gift card!  Right now is the perfect time to support local businesses and it doesn’t have to be a big amount – every $5 bucks helps!  Cornstalk Café just reopened in Shelby and they have specials every day, support The Back Forty in Macedonia as they continue to do meals on wheels, or try Henry’s Diner in Crescent!

*Meat.  Lol.  Whether it’s jerky that you can grab at Minden Meat Market or Gress Locker in Hancock or some Jack Links from Underwood, that’s always enjoyed!  Or go big and get some steaks!  Not only will Minden Meat Market and Gress Locker set you up but Jon’s Naturals in McClelland will, too!

*Hershey bars.  You can never go wrong with chocolate!  And if you are dropping off for kids – they will be happy with candy, sidewalk chalk, silly putty, coloring books with fresh crayons, punch balloons, animal crackers, or a pack of new markers!

*Something homemade like crocheted hot pads or a wind chime (they have all kinds of easy ones on Pinterest) would be perfect, too!

*Balloons – one helium balloon tied to your door can make all the difference.

*Leave them a set of fortune cookies – you can make them using craft foam sheets and put happy messages in them and staple together!  So cheap and easy!  Just a little time spent.  Or you can get the real thing, too. Lol.

You can’t go wrong with anything if it comes from the heart.  Right now, when we are all house-bound, a little gesture letting someone know you are thinking of them in the midst of all of this is really all people want.  So go forth and leave little pieces of happiness this May 1.