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Crafts: May Basket

Spring tradition of flowers and sweets

by Polly Bannister

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Gracing an antique basket are tulips from In the Company of Flowers of Keene, New Hampshire (603-352-8585), with colorful (and delicious) cookies from June's Bakeshop of New Braintree, Massachusetts (413-477-6962; junesbakeshop.com. Note cards are from Annie|Catherine stationers of Westbrook, Maine (207-591-4871; anniecatherine.com

Credit: Webb Chappell

A willow basket holds tulips, waxflowers, and decorated cookies. It's tied to the thumb-latch door hand with yellow grosgrain ribbon.

Credit: Webb Chappell

Fragrant purple and white hyacinths and pale-pink waxflowers complement pastel-frosted cookie. Tucked in behind them is a package of tea bags (with a thoughtful message on each tag) from Bag Ladies of Allston, Massachusetts. (617-254-3336; bagladiestea.com

The May basket -- let's bring back a small gesture of caring and celebration of this season," says Jayne Ward, who has enjoyed a lifelong career in the antiques and gift business. This, her third shop, Homeward Designs' Cottage Style, in Rindge, New Hampshire (603-899-9545), is co-owned with her daughter, Melissa Ward Messer, formerly a dancer with Boston Ballet.

Here the two women collaborate on decorative, seasonal gifts for the home. "After years of watching Mom in her shops, it clicked for me," Melissa says. "When I retired as a dancer, I wanted to follow her passion. We have a special creative synergy, and we love to celebrate the seasons and holidays of New England."

In spring Jayne and Melissa focus on May baskets, containing the traditional posies as well as a new twist: locally made treasures such as stationery, tea, and cookies.

"When I was a child," Jayne recalls, "we took great joy in filling homemade baskets with candy and flowers. We'd fashion Dixie cups with pipe-cleaner handles and decorate them with crepe-paper leaves and flowers from our mother's garden.

"Or we'd make a cone of construction paper with a ribbon handle and embellish it with flowers, a few candies, or perhaps some homemade cookies.

We'd sneak over to a neighbor's house, leave the basket on the doorstep or doorknob, knock or ring the bell, and go hide. We loved watching the surprise and joy on our neighbors' faces. The anticipation of giving was even better than receiving one of our own."