Easy to Make Piñata
Why Make a Piñata?
If you are thinking about making decorations for Cinco de Mayo (or any celebration), you will be shocked at how easy it is to make a piñata. I only knew about the paper Mache method, which is admittedly a messy way to go. When you find out how easy it is to make a piñata, you may be making them for lots of occasions!
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Materials
The materials you will need for this project are (links included):
Exacto Knife, Box Cutter of Scissors
Instructions
Step 1:
Trace two round circles (same size) on the cardboard. It could be any size, but I would suggest a 12-14 inch diameter. Cut both circles out using an Exacto knife, a box cutter or scissors.
Step 2:
Cut strips using the same material that you used for the circles. The strips should be approximately 1-1/2 inches to 2 inches wide and they will need to cover the edge of one of the circles, patching more than one strip, as necessary. Bend strips so they will form to a circle easier.
Step 3:
Cut 2 pieces of tissue paper, the same size as your cardboard circles. The colors could be the same as each other or different.
Step 4:
Cut tissue paper to cover one side of the strip(s) of cardboard.
Step 5:
Using hot glue gun or Elmer’s glue, glue round tissue pieces to one side of round cardboard and strips of tissue paper to one side of cardboard strips.
Step 6:
Glue the circle onto each side of the strip, leaving a 2-inch gap to put the candy into the piñata, if using candy.
Step 7:
Cut multiple 2-3” square tissue paper. Using the flat eraser side of a pencil, form one colored square up around sides of pencil, to form inside portion of flower. Continuing to hold the tissue square around the end of a pencil, put a dab of glue onto the outside center of the square.
Step 8:
Lay another colored square on flat surface and glue the first square to the inside of the second square. Pull the second square of tissue up around end of pencil to form second layer of flower. Glue the outside square of tissue to the either side of the tissue covered circle of your piñata.
Step 9:
Continue decorating both sides of the pinata with tissue “flowers”, mixing up colors to make both sides colorful.
Step 10:
You can take a few paper birthday party hats, cut the wide side down a bit smaller to fit around the edges of the pinata and then glue in place. Take hole punch and make a hole about ½” in on both sides of the pinata opening. Tie string to each opening, and make a long enough piece to hang as your decoration. If using candy, this would be when you would add the candy to the piñata.
If you are having a Cinco de Mayo party, there are so many great decorations you can use to make things look festive. The biggest thing to remember is that you want to make everything colorful.
What IS Cinco de Mayo?
First, a bit of history. Maybe you are one of the many Americans who think that Cinco de Mayo (English translation = 5th of May) is Mexican Independence Day? False. It’s actually a holiday that celebrates the date of the Mexican army’s May 5, 1862, victory over France at the Battle of Puebla during the Franco-Mexican War.
Cinco de Mayo is actually a very small holiday in Mexico, but in the United States, it has evolved into a commemoration of Mexican culture and heritage, so it is celebrated with parties by Americans in all 50 states, particularly in areas with substantial Mexican American populations.
Today, Cinco de Mayo is often marked with parades, parties, mariachi music and traditional Mexican food. Traditionally, you will see decorations in turquoise, red, bright yellow, purple and green. Your tables can reflect any or all of these colors. It’s fun to mix and match, even in your dinnerware and serving ware.
Food Suggestions
For a menu, a Taco Bar with tortillas served with bowls of rice, beans (refried pinto, pinto or black); shredded, seasoned chicken, beef or pork; shredded lettuce, cheese and cabbage; chopped tomatoes and onions; sliced limes and a variety of hot sauce.
To drink, you can serve Mexican sodas, which are available in most supermarkets, and iced tea. For alcoholic drinks, bottles of beer and pitchers of margaritas are always very popular.
Whether you are celebrating Cinco de Mayo, a Fiesta themed party or a birthday party, this quick and easy pinata can definitely help add some color and whimsy to your decorations. I hope you enjoyed this tutorial. Thanks for reading my words.
Celebrate Cinco de Mayo or celebrate something else in your life!
xoxo Teresa
