I created these adorable upcycled May Day Baskets to spread cheer and celebrate Earth Day this spring! Using everyday items to create something beautiful is one of my favorite ways to honor the planet.
The Less Waste Challenge: Earth Month Activities
I wanted to create an upcycled family-friendly craft project for Earth Month this April. I love reusing materials to create fun projects that don’t require a trip to the store. (Check out my tin can lanterns, Valentine match holders, and mummy candle holder.)
Why Choose Upcycled Crafts?
I love using recycled materials to make crafts because it helps to keep waste out of landfills and can make the world a better place for our children.
Did I also mention they are FREE?!?! It's a win for your wallet and a win for the environment.
Did you know that less than 2% of total waste created in the United States is recycled, and that cardboard/paper waste accounts for 41% of municipal solid waste in the United States? It’s crazy! With this information in mind, I decided to make Simple May Day baskets using cardboard toothpaste boxes.
What are May Day Baskets? A Sweet Spring Tradition
My mom taught us about May Day Baskets. When I was a child, we loved giving May Day baskets and tried hard to catch a glimpse of friends leaving baskets for us.
May Day Baskets are not so common today, but in the 1800s and early 1900s, they were a widespread tradition across the United States that marked the arrival of spring.
- The Gift: Children would fill a small paper basket or cone with flowers, candy, or small presents and hang it on the door of a friend or loved one.
- The Surprise: The person hanging the basket then knocks on the door and hurries away, leaving a sweet surprise for the person who answers.
It’s such a sweet symbol of friendship! Bringing this tradition back is a wonderful way to connect with your neighbors.
How to Make May Day Baskets from Toothpaste Boxes
I used toothpaste boxes to make simple woven baskets that fit in the palm of your hand. These small, sustainable containers are perfect for May Day or just a sweet “thinking of you” surprise.
Supplies Needed:
- Scissors
- Empty toothpaste boxes (one box makes two baskets)
- Scrap lightweight cardboard (cereal or tissue boxes)
- Glue or a hot glue gun
How to Prepare Materials:
- Prep the Box: Open the toothpaste box flat and cut it in half.
- Inside Out: Reglue the box inside out so you should see the plain brown cardboard side. This creates a clean “blank canvas” for your basket.
- Prepare Weave Strips: Cut another piece of lightweight cardboard (like a tissue or cereal box) into long strips.
- Create the Vertical Strips: Cut the box into ½ inch strips. Important: Stop cutting about ⅛ inch from the bottom of the box so the strips stay attached!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Start Weaving: Weave the strips of cardboard in and out of the box strips. Secure the ends with a dab of glue.
- Build the Walls: Continue weaving until the basket reaches your desired size. (I usually use four strips of cardboard.)
- Finish the Top: Bend the vertical box strips toward the center of the basket and secure them to the inside with glue for a tidy edge.
- Add the Handle: Use a ½-inch-wide strip of cardboard, about 8 inches long, to make a sturdy handle.
The Finishing Touch: Fill the box with a bit of recycled paper and a small gift.
Pro-Tip: You can also add an upcycled gift tag to your May Day Basket. I made mine with recycled cardboard and a 1-inch craft punch for a professional look.
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