CHRISTMAS ORNAMENTS GALORE

By admin 　http://www.searchreslt.com/mache-halloween/

PARTY PINATAS – PUTTING THE FUN INTO KIDS’ PARTIES

Childrens’ party trends come and go, but there are some time-tested games and activities that remain as popular in the modern world as they were in the ‘olden days’!.

And if it’s the colourful piñata we’re talking about – that is not just an old favourite, it’s a game that dates back thousands of years!.      Most of us know the piñata as a firm favourite at kids’ parties, but it’s actually an ancient custom that has its origins in centuries-old Chinese culture.

The piñata is said to have been discovered by Marco Polo in the 1200s when he came across Chinese people making figurines of cows, buffaloes, oxen etc and covering them with coloured paper and embellishing them with decorations.  Seeds were then put inside these which  fell to the ground when someone broke the figures.  They then lit a fire, burnt the broken figures and distributed the ashes as a sign of good luck.  

This ancient custom spread to Europe where it was initially specifically adapted as a celebration for Lent, and also to North America in the 16^th century where it was incorporated into a similar Aztec tradition which used clay pots decorated with features and containing tiny treasures which, when the pot was broken, were offered as gifts to the gods.  The missionaries then adapted the game for religious teachings and the piñata became a religious symbol for good triumphing over evil.

These days, piñatas don’t have any religious meaning but are purely a popular and fun party idea for any celebration.  People can either make their own using cardboard boxes, paper mache or any other construction material or purchase ready-made ones from a specialist in kids party supplies.   Many people choose to buy piñatas that match the theme of the kids party – be it a dinosaur, cartoon character, fairy party etc. 

Decorating the piñatas is half the fun and the whole family can get involved in the activity using ribbons, tinsel, flowers, coloured paper etc. Little treats such as candies, chocolates, toys, confetti etc are then put into the piñata with the ultimate idea of making  a lot of noise and a lot of mess!.

The piñata may be an age-old custom, but it’s still a modern favourite when it comes to great party ideas say Perth party shop, Kids Party Supplies who ship a variety of party games and accessories across the whole of Australia.  Swinging a bat at a piñata is guaranteed to get any party swinging – whether it’s a kid’s 1^st birthday or gran’s 81^st birthday!.