Baker's Best of Health

Happy May Day! Tomorrow is the traditional celebration of spring that’s honored around the world. Festivities and customs surrounding May Day vary from place to place, but they always have one thing in common: Each celebration involves flowers.

I always liked the idea of a Maypole on May Day: A beautiful pole decorated with colorful streamers, with little girls dancing around it, and fresh flowers flowing from their hair.

But my favorite tradition is to put together small baskets of flowers and leave them on friends’ and neighbors’ doorsteps. Traditionally, getting caught in the act means you’ll risk getting kissed by the recipient. I don’t know if that’s true, but then, I’ve never been caught! Here’s how I make my garden-fresh gifts:

1. Gather fresh flowers from your garden, and trim the stems to form a small bouquet.

2. Tie the stems together with a bright ribbon.

3. Fill a small glass jar with water, and place the flowers inside.

4. Place the jar in a small, handled basket.

5. Leave the basket on a friend’s doorstep, ring the bell, and run!