Design a maypole for your girlfriend
There are many customs entwined around the maypole and one of them is that a man puts a decorated, small tree in front of the house for his loved one or girlfriend. Do you find that romantic? Then get a young tree and decorate it according to the old custom. Your friend will definitely be happy about the proof of love.
Which tree species is used for a maypole and how it is traditionally decorated differs from region to region. However, if you are to your friend for the 1st May you put a small, decorated birch in front of your front door, you will surely know that it is a maypole.
Young birch - this is how you find it
- Please don't think of simply sawing off a birch tree somewhere in the forest. You are making yourself liable to prosecution. Instead, go to a nursery or garden center and ask for a suitable specimen.
- If this doesn't work, try to find a large birch branch. The top of a large, felled tree is also an option. Since tree felling work is often carried out in spring, you could also find something in an allotment garden colony or something similar.
- To prevent the tree or branch from dying of thirst and leaving its delicate leaves hanging down, place it in a large bucket of water. You can stabilize the trunk by pouring pebbles into it.
This is how the birch becomes a maypole
- You will need brightly colored ribbons that flutter on the branches. Originally, the colors of the ribbons even had a meaning, but this is neglected today. Get crepe paper in 3-4 different shades and cut long strips.
- Then hang the masking tapes on the tree. Since the paper is slightly elastic, you can easily knot the ribbons.
- Depending on the region, a pine wreath traditionally hangs at the top of a maypole. In May, however, such a wreath will not be as easy to find as in Advent. Nurseries near cemeteries offer fir wreaths all year round - but mostly at high prices.
The custom of putting a maypole on your girlfriend is right in Germany ...
A message for your girlfriend - say it with your heart
The May custom is also a great opportunity to convey a loving message to your friend. Traditionally, this is written on a heart made of wood or cardboard and hung in the tree.
- Draw a large heart on sturdy cardboard and cut it out. Then paint it red on both sides with Plaka paint.
- When the paint is dry, you can write a love message on the cardboard heart and hang it in the tree.
- Place the lovingly decorated maypole on the night of the 1st May secretly at your girlfriend's door.
