Papel Picado - Cinco de Mayo Project

by Lauri Griffin | More from this Blogger

04 May 2008 06:10 PM

Tomorrow is Cinco de Mayo (the 5th of May). You can read more about this historic holiday in our families.com forums and in this interview with Don Miles author of a book about history behind this day. And here are some recipe suggestions for celebrating further.

One of the traditional decorations for the holiday is papel picado (Spanish for punched or pierced paper), paper with cut designs. Papel picado is a popular art form with roots that go all the way back to the Aztecs. The real papel picado banners are works of art. The artists cut through as many as fifty pieces of paper with chisels and hammers, making intricate and symbolic designs.

The results are beautiful, but sharp chisels aren't something I'd recommend for children. For an easier and safer version, break out bright colorful tissue paper, a pair of scissors, and think paper snowflakes. You want to start with sheets that are about 8 x 10. Fold your tissue paper into a small square and cut out designs just like you do for paper snowflakes. You can do geometric shapes, or just random cuts. Don't fold the tissue over too many times, or it will be hard to cut.

Unfold the paper, and if you aren't happy with the design you can fold it again and cut more. The paper should retain a rectangular shape, but the edges can be scalloped, fringed, zig-zagged, or straight. Traditionally the papers are hung side by side on a string called a "banderita" You can tape or glue the papers to your string.

These really make a fun and festive decoration. This project is also a good opportunity to learn about history, different cultures, geometric shapes, and an art form.

Happy Cinco de Mayo!

Learn more about Lauri Griffin

Lauri lives in Colorado with her husband and three sons. Amidst all the laundry and packing of lunches, she tries to keep parenting fun.

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