Create your own Day of the Dead “papel picado”

This idea is great for your Quince decorations, too.

Papel picado is a Mexican ornamental craft, also used in other countries as a festivity decoration. This ornament is a fundamental piece of Day of the Dead celebration since it is used to decorated the altars put together to honor those who have passed away.

If you’re thinking of having a Quince that pays homage to this celebration, then papel picado is one of the main elements that cannot be left out of your Quinceanera decorations.

This is made choosing a design, scissors and tissue paper in typically bright colors such as pink, orange and purple. In the case of your Quince, you can use any colors that best suit your color scheme. If you wish to create papel picado, follow the next instructions courtesy from NESCAFÉ Café de Olla y NESTLÉ Abuelita. Y

Materials:
·         Scissors
·         Glue
·         Tissue paper (different colors)
·         One sheet of paper (8 ½ x 11 pulgadas) One sheet of paper
·         Thread

Instructions:
1.       Fold the tissue paper in half
2.       Draw your own pattern on the sheet of paper
3.       Staple the pattern on the tissue paper and place 3 or 4 staples on the áreas you will cut (These areas will be the last one you will cut since these are the ones holding both the sheet and the tissue paper together)
4.      Use tip scissors to cut your own design. To get to the center of the areas, fold the paper and cut a small piece, unfold it and stick the scissors through there. Continue until you finish cutting all your pieces
5.       After this you can cut those stapled areas.
6.      Unfold the paper and place i ton a flat surface. Fold the top part at about 1 or 2 inches.
7.       Glue it to the thread
8.       Once it is dry, it is ready to be hanged and   decorate your home or your altar.

Be careful and remember:
·         Plan carefully and do not attempt designs that could end up falling once hanged.
·         Be careful while cutting, once you cut you cannot go back.

Source: NESCAFÉ Café de Olla y NESTLÉ Abuelita

This post is also available in: Spanish