| Making flowers and other items out of tissue paper is | | | | how do you make tissue flowers for Cinco de Mayo, |
| a craft which has a long history in Mexico, where the | | | | then read on for a brief explanation of how it is done. |
| paper used for this activity is known as "papel de | | | | You will need plenty of tissue or crepe paper (red, |
| China" (Chinese paper) in a nod to the origins of this | | | | white and green are good choices of colors, since |
| material. One tradition, which is associated with the | | | | these are the colors of the Mexican flag), pipe |
| Mexican holiday of Cinco de Mayo, is making tissue | | | | cleaners (green if at all possible) and scissors. |
| paper flowers as decorations for holiday events - but | | | | Begin by stacking together six large (about 12" by 12" is |
| how do you make tissue flowers for Cinco de Mayo? | | | | best, but you can work with smaller pieces if |
| For a little more information about Cinco de Mayo and | | | | necessary) pieces of tissue or crepe paper together - |
| making tissue flowers for this holiday, keep reading. | | | | if it is larger than this, you can cut it to size. Starting at |
| Cinco de Mayo is a celebration of the Mexican army's | | | | the top edge of the paper, make small folds (about 1"), |
| victory over the French on May 5th, 1862 at the Battle | | | | forming a shape much like a paper fan. |
| of Puebla; a force of approximately 4,000 Mexican | | | | Now, make sure the center of the fan stays together |
| soldiers under the command of General Ignacio | | | | by securing it with a pipe cleaner (or a wire twist tie). |
| Zaragoza were able to rout a well equipped French | | | | Next, trim your flower into the shape you would like. |
| force who outnumbered them nearly two to one. This | | | | You can simply cut around for a rounded flower or if |
| was the first major battle of the Franco-Mexican war | | | | you are skilled with scissors, you can cut all manner of |
| and the holiday commemorates this military victory and | | | | decorative edges into your flowers - children especially |
| the resistance of Mexico to foreign invaders. | | | | may enjoy getting creative with this part of the activity. |
| Parades, parties, and performances of Mexican music, | | | | Next, fold the flower in half and carefully separate the |
| dance, and other cultural events are common ways to | | | | layers to give your flower some depth. Finally, give |
| celebrate the holiday; and tissue paper flowers often | | | | your tissue flower a pipe cleaner "stem" and it is ready |
| make an appearance at these events to set an | | | | for your Cinco de Mayo festivities. You may want to |
| appropriately festive theme for the day. Tissue | | | | enlist some help if you need to make a large quantity |
| flowers are incorporated into place settings, worn by | | | | of tissue flowers for Cinco de Mayo, but creating |
| men and women alike and placed everywhere to liven | | | | these handcrafted decorations can be part of the fun |
| up the proceedings. If you have always wondered | | | | of this holiday. |