Mexico

Paper Decorations For Cinco De Mayo

Decorating is part of the fun of any celebration. After all, would Christmas be quite so festive without all the tinsel and twinkle lights? Why not decorate more for other holidays? Cinco de Mayo is a great holiday for decorating. You get to immerse yourself in Mexican colors and styles.

The Mexican art of cutting paper is known as papel picado. Sheets of tissue paper are used to make delicate lacy designs that are then strung across the walls and windows. You can also use them as placemats or table runners. Kids love this simple craft, so let them help out. Later you can attach them to strings for hanging.

Choose some bright colored tissue paper, some pinking shears or specialty scissors, fun hole punches, your iron, glue and yarn. When choosing colors, maybe choose red, white and green for the Mexican flag, or whatever bright colors appeal to you. Take one sheet of tissue and fold it in half so both short ends are together. Fold it in quarters and again until it is in eighths. Remember making snowflakes? This is similar.

Unfold the sheet and refold it again the opposite way. This will make the creases flatter. You can also choose to iron the folded paper to make it easier to work with. Make sure your iron is not too hot and that there is no steam setting turned on.

Craft scissors that make a specific pattern or pinking shears can be used to cut the edge of the paper so it looks nice unfolded. Take your hole punches and make a repetitive pattern all over the folded paper. With all the different shapes they come in now, you should be able to make some interesting patterns. Don’t punch the folds because it jams the hole punch.

When the holes are done, slowly unfold the tissue, taking care it does not tear. Lay it flat on the ironing board and use a warm iron to flatten out the creases. Isn’t it pretty? Make a bunch of these, and have fun with the patterns. They do not all have to be the same.

You can attach the sheets to string to hang them as banners. Fold the top half inch over and make a crease. Thread a string through the fold and glue the flap down to hold it in place. Let the glue dry before you hang them.

Single sheets can be used for placemats. Use them to make festive table settings or set them under the plates of easy Mexican recipes being served for your party. You will have a lot of fun with this craft. It is so simple even small children can handle parts of it with supervision.

Everyone will remark on your beautiful decorations on Cinco de Mayo. Your home will look festive for the holiday as the light streams through the colored tissue paper. With these special effects, everyone will be in a mood to have a great time. Enjoy your food, your party, and your decorations.

You might be new to the world of Mexican cooking and there is nothing wrong with that because all chefs have to start somewhere! That is why easy Mexican food recipes like beef taco skillet, spicy Mexican torte and chicken breast with mango salsa are such a godsend for novice cooks.

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