“The first day of May was May Day and the day to hang May baskets. The preparations for the day were almost as much fun as the hanging of the baskets. For many nights we gathered around the dining room table, by lamplight, with boxes of many shapes, paste made from flour and water, and paper for decoration. Sometimes we used wallpaper, but it was not so special as the tissue paper in lovely pastel colors which could be curled, ruffled and braided, and made delightful baskets. Colored paper rolled in such a way as to form a cornucopia was quite choice, and some of us did nice things with crepe paper. Mother had helped the older ones who in turn taught the younger, but we each used our own ideas and there were some interesting results. The baskets were filled with home-made fudge, popcorn, and candy bought with pennies we had saved. Being such a large family each of us could hang only three or four baskets, so we had to decide who were our special friends at the moment. That night we had to plan when we would go out to hang our baskets and when we would stay home to receive. It would have been tragic to have been gone when one was hung to you. We crept to each door, laid the basket on the step, and knocked. The door flew open immediately because someone was sure to be waiting and watching and the friend gave chase. Usually you ran toward home and, if you were a good runner and were out-running your friend, often you pretended to be tired and let yourself get caught. The most fun of course was if you hung a basket to a boy or a boy hung one to you because the payment for the basket was a kiss which was more exciting if from the opposite sex.”
Frances Landry (Talking about growing up in Cape Porpoise c. 1912 – 1930)