Pinata at A Birthday Place

The histroy of the Pinata is very rich and colorful. The Pinata originated in Italy. Called pignatta and filled with trinkets, jewelry, or candies. A blindfolded person hit the pignatta while it was being swung back and forth from a rope. The guests would all rush out and collect the fallen contents, once the pot was broken open. This custom spread throughout Europe and to Spain.

Spain bought these custom with them to America. The Mayans first used pinatas to celebrate the birthday of the Aztec god of war, Huitzilopochtli. Their priest placed decorated feathers on clay pot, filled with tiny treasures,in their temple at year's end. The blindfolded participant represents the defying evil. The treasures fell to the feet of the god's image, when broken with a stick or club.

Mexican artists using paper mache and cardboard to their own verisons for pinatas. The traditional star-shaped pi�ata design represents the Star of Bethlehem, has seven points, each with streamers. Today, pi�atas used for kids birthday party games, festive party decorations, centerpieces and many other interesting uses.

How To Make A Ball Pi�ata.

You will need:

One large balloon

6 cups water

1/4 cup flour

A large amount of newspaper (Sunday funnies are great!)

Paint

Tape

Scissors

Start by making the paste: Bring 5 cups of water to a gentle boil. While the water is coming to a boil, in a separate bowl mix 1 cup water and 1/4 cup flour. Add water-flour mixture slowly to boiling water and boil entire mixture for three minutes. Remove from stove to cool. While paste cools, cut or tear up newspaper in strips and blow up the balloon, tying off the end.

After the paste has cooled, dip the newspaper strips in paste and begin to wrap the newspaper strips around the balloon, making several smooth overlapping layers. Leave a small hole where the balloon ties so that you can later cut an opening to add candy or party favors. When you are done wrapping the balloon, allow it to dry till hard.

When the pasted strips have dried, paint the pi�ata the desired color. You may also want to decorate the pi�ata with glitter, stickers, or other decorative items.

When the paint and other decorations you may have added have dried, pop the balloon through the small whole you left near the tie. Then cut a small opening just big enough to add your candy or party favors. After filling the pi�ata, seal the opening with tape and while doing so, tape a string to the top so that you may later hang the pi�ata.

Written by Kimberly Hargis