Clarifying Misconceptions
Contrary to popular practice, piñatas are not only for children and are not only for birthdays. In this post, I hare compiled over 150 celebratory and themed-events where piñatas can and have been used, a few tips of piñata fillers for adults, a few places to buy or order them, and some ideas to encourage the engagement and connection of you, your children, your group and/or your students. But first, let me also address another misconception.
Piñatas did not originate in Mexico. In fact, they didn’t originate in any of the Spanish-speaking countries, they actually are credited to have originated in China. During the 13th century, Marco Polo is said to have brought the concept of the piñata to Italy during his travels. The Europeans linked the piñata with Lenten celebrations. The wealthy European women used to fill the piñatas with jewelry and trinkets. After arriving to Europe and to Italy, Spanish missionaries to North America arrived to North America with piñatas, then covered with colored paper to make them look scary, in the hopes of attracting people to their religious ceremonies. Today the custom of the piñata can be found in many countries, including the United States and most are no longer scary.
https://www.tripsavvy.com/pinata-history-and-meaning-1588827
If I remember correctly from days gone by, the word piñata derives from the Italian word pignatta, which translates into clay pot, the original form of piñatas Many were in the shape of a seven pointed star. Once brought to Mexico, the Mexican Catholic church friars used the piñata as an allegory to help them in their efforts to evangelize the native people of the region and teach them about the principles of Christianity. The piñata served to represent the struggle of man against temptation. Their interpretation rested on the belief that the pot represented evil, seven points represent the seven deadly sins (lust, gluttony, greed, sloth, wrath, envy and pride), the blindfold represents faith, the bright colors, seasonal fruit and candy inside the temptations of evil and the temptation to fall into these sins and the stick is virtue or the will to overcome sin.
Book Inspirations
When I first became acquainted with piñatas I had to either make them, order them from catalogs or bring them back from traveling. As a result of the inconveniences related to both, I have made my share of piñatas, as have many of my students. Below are three pictures of some of the piñatas made by my colleague and my former students.
In Pancho’s Piñata written by Stefan Czernecki and Timothy Rhodes and illustrated by Czernecki, a young boy named Pancho rescues a star from a cactus on Christmas Eve. The talking falling star had lodged itself on top of a cactus in the village square of San Miguel. For many years the star in appreciation for being rescued brought Pancho happiness. Years later when Pancho is old, he decides to share his happiness with the town’s children. He decorates a clay pot and fills it with toys and sweets. According to the author, the piñata was born.
Hooray, a Piñata! by author/illustrator Elisa Kleven is about a little girl named Clara who excitingly looks forward to having a piñata at her upcoming birthday party. Samson, her good friend, goes piñata shopping with her and helps her pick one out. Clara picks a cute little dog piñata for her birthday party. She names him Lucky, and he becomes her constant companion. She takes him everywhere she goes and introduces him to everyone with whom she comes in contact. When the big birthday finally comes, she doesn’t want to let everybody break him. She has become attached to her new “pet”. However, keeping Lucky as a pet, means she won’t have a piñata at her party. Samson comes to the rescue with a alternate solution and a pinata that people didn’t mind breaking. Kleven’s multicolored collage art beautifully compliments this festive celebratory story.
In Piñata Quilt, author Jane Tenorio-Coscarelli tells the story about a boy who on this special birthday decides he doesn’t want to share the goodies from his birthday piñata, so unbeknownst to the piñata maker he puts too much glue in the piñata paste so that it will be hard to break and so he will be the only one who will be able to get he candy and toys. When no one is able to break the piñata he becomes embarrass, especially for the piñata maker. He finally admits to what he had done. Years later the piñata maker gives him a pinata quilt. It is clear that neither of them had forgotten that birthday. The story itself has space between the lines where some
English words are in bold fonts and in the space the Spanish for those English words are written. At the end of the book the author shares a quilt pattern and provides instruction to make a piñata.
In Piñata Party, Kitiya Palaskas, the author shares 30 DIY piñata projects to make, then break! She begins by introducing herself and her piñata connection. She then provides a list of essentials for making a piñata as well as provides a crash course in the piñata construction, complete with step-by-step instructions. What I love about this book are the ideas; they aren’t the traditional donkey, star, or bull piñatas; they are creative. Check out some by clicking on her name above or by HERE.
Pinata! by Rebecca Emberley is a beautifully vibrant bilingual Spanish-English board book. It begins with a brief history of the pinata’s role as a party game, followed by photo depictions of examples of some of the goodies (candy and trinkets) that one might use as fillers. The book concludes with instructions to construct a piñata.
Now-a-day, a person seeking to buy piñatas is able at to buy them at some grocery stores, especially those who cater to our Hispanic and Latin American friends, and other stores that are popular to the masses like Walmart and Target. Additionally many of our party stores like Party City sell piñatas. If interested in ordering piñatas or locally purchasing one, all one has to do is search the Internet. The number of search hits will lead to one that will result in you finding more than enough from which to choose. My favorite three online places to order piñatas are Etsy, Amazon, and pinata.com. Amols.com, ebay and orientaltrading.com also sells piñatas.
Finding and purchasing piñatas that meet individual needs and/or that best represent an event used to be difficult, but not any longer. The following are piñatas that I found at a local Hispanic heritage grocery store.
Below are the ones that I found at a local Party City. They are more current and “Americanized” in theme. Personally, they are not my favorite as they are not as creative and are more uniform in size and style. They don’t have the authentic look that I Prefer. However, they may appeal to many of the children of today. However like the little girl in “Hooray a Piñata,” I would prefer to break these instead of one that I would treasure more. For her it was because the piñata became like a friend to her, for me its authenticity and uniqueness would be my reason.
Ideas for Piñatas and/or Potential Piñata Events
- 21st Party
- 25 Book/1 Million Word Reading Challenge Kickoff and/or Celebration
- 30th Party
- 4th of July Party
- 50th Party
- 90s Party
- 1001 Nights/Moroccan Inspired Party
- A Night in Wonderlandy/Fantasy Land Party
- ABC (Anything but Clothes) Party
- Aladdin Party
- Alice in Wonderland Party
- Anime Party
- Anniversary Party
- Athletic Party
- Australia Day Party
- Avon Party
- Baby Shower
- Bachelor Party (search may be risque)
- Bachelorette Party (search may be risque)
- Back to School Party
- Barn Party/Ho-Down Party
- Bastille Day
- Bible School
- Bible Study
- BBQ Party
- Beach Party
- Beauty & the Geek Party
- Beer Olympics/Beer Keg Party
- Birthday Party
- Black Hearts Party
- Block/Street Party
- Bonfire Party
- Bowling Party
- Bridal Shower
- Bucket List Celebration
- Cabaret/Burlesque Night
- Camping Trip
- Canada Day
- Cast Party
- Carnival Party
- Casino/A Night in Monte Carlo Party
- Character Party
- Chinese New Year Party
- Christmas in July Party
- Christmas Party
- Cinco de Mayo Party
- Circus Party
- Cocktail Party
- Color Party
- Cooking Party
- Costume Party
- Craft Party
- Dance Party
- Decades Party
- Día de los Muertos/Day of the Dead
- Dinner Party
- Disney Party
- Divorce Party (a web search will also find some more X-rated examples)
- Dr. Seuss Day
- Dragon Race Festival Party
- Easter Party
- Engagement Party
- Fairy Party
- Fairy Tale Party
- Family Reunion
- Father’s Day
- Farewell Party
- Flapper Party
- Fraternity Party
- Full Moon Party
- Fundraising Kickoff/Celebration Party
- Funeral (This was a new concept for me. Fill with some of favorite things/quotes/candies, etc. of deceased)
- Game Day/Night Party
- Game of Thrones Party
- Gangster Party
- Garden Party
- Gender Reveal
- Glamping Party
- Glow in the Dark Party
- Graduation
- Grandparent Day
- Guy Fawkes Night
- Halloween Party
- Hannukah
- Harajuku Party
- Harry Potter Party
- Havana Nights
- High-5 Celebration
- Holi Festival of Colours
- Hollywood Party
- Housewarming Party
Not to be broken piñata
- Ice Cream Party
- Instagram-themed party
- Jazz Age Party
- Jewelry Party
- Job Promotion Party
- Karaoke Party
- Kwanzaa
- Labor Day Cookout
- Launch Party
- Lawn Party
- Lego Party
- Lingerie Party (some searches yield risque piñata examples)
- Luau Party
- Make Out Party
- Mardi Gras Party
- Masquerade Ball Party
- May Day
- McDonalds Party
- Melbourne Cup Party
- Mother’s Day
- Movie Night Party
- Murder Mystery Party
- New Year’s Eve Party
- Oktoberfest
- Office Party
- Pajama Party
- Perfect Attendance Party
- Pirate Party
- Pizza Party
- Pool Party
- Praise Celebration/Party
- Princess Party
- Quinceañera
- Piñata Party
- Project Runway Party
- Rags to Riches
- Reading Celebration
- Red Solo Cup Party
- Retirement Party
- Round the World Party
- Scrapbook Party
- Shakespeare Party
- Silly Hat Party
- Skating Party
- Ski Party
- Sleepover Party
- Soirées
- Sorority Party
- Sports Party
- St. Patrick Day Party
- Star Wars Party
- Super Bowl Sunday
- Superheroes Party
- Surprise Party
- Sweet 16 Party
- Taco Party
- Tea Party
- Thanksgiving Day Party
- Toga Party
- Trampoline Party
- Trunk Party
- Tupperware Party
- Ugly Sweater Party
- Valentine’s Day Party
- Vampire Party
- Viewing Party
- Wedding
- Welcome Party
- Willy Wonka Party
- When I Grow Up Party
- Wine Tasting Party
- Writing Celebration
- Zombie Party
Filler Ideas for Children Pi ñ atas
Filling a child’s piñata is not usually a big challenge. Most are filled with candy and little toys or trinkets. It can be made even more special by adding themed fillers. For example, imagine a St. Patrick Day’s piñata filled with green candy, gold coins, rainbow erasers, green bead necklaces, shamrock buttons, and mini leprechaun hats. Orientaltrading.com offers many fillers at affordable prices. Examples for St. Patrick Day fillers are HERE. Also check out your dollar stores, he dollar section at Target, as well as Party City, Michaels and Hobby Lobby.
Filler Ideas for Adult Piñata
The fillers in an adult piñata can be the same as it is for children; after all, we too like to have fun or it can be more adult specific. In case you haven’t figured it out, I love themes. When having a piñata at an adult function, I like for my fillers to fit the occasion. Again Oriental Trading is my go-to-site for these fillers as well as ideas for decor. Other ideas for fillers are:
- Candy
- Confetti for gender reveal
- Decks of Card
- Dollar bills
- Erasers
- Fruit snacks
- Gift cards
- Gum
- Hair accessories (barrettes, scrunchies, ponytail holders, etc.)
- Key chains
- Koosh balls
- Lotion
- Lottery Tickets
- Mardi Gras necklaces
- Movie tickets
- Note pads
- Ornaments (write #s on back of box, they can be claimed at end)
- Pacifier
- Plastic sunglasses
- Redeemable Coupons good for merchandise to be claimed at party
- Small plastic bottles of alcohol
- Stamps
- Stickers
- Teabags
- Temporary Tattoos
- Toys
- Trinkets
Ideas to Engage and Connect
- Make a piñata
- Donate one or more piñatas (to a hospital, event, shelter, class, etc.)
- Plan a party where a piñata is used (design and create invitations, create a menu, decor, etc…)
- Brainstorm types of piñatas for special holidays or thematic gatherings
- Brainstorm piñata fillers for specific piñatas
- Create a paper or material piñata quilt
- Use Diego Rivera’s “La Piñata” as an inspiration for an art or writing project
11 comments on “Piñatas Aren’t Only For Children and Birthdays”
Lots of good ideas! Loved looking at all the piñatas!! Shared your blog with a friend who teaches Spanish in my school. Know she will love it!!
Thanks for checking out and sharing the post. I also love looking at the various pics of piñatas. Some were new concepts to me. I appreciate your support.
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