Papel picado

Papel picado ("perforated paper," "pecked paper") is a traditional Mexican decorative craft made by cutting elaborate designs into sheets of tissue paper. Papel picado is considered a Mexican folk art. The designs are commonly cut from stacks of 40-50 colored tissue papers using a guide or template, a small mallet, and chisels. Papel picado can also be made by folding tissue paper and using small, sharp scissors. Common themes include birds, floral designs, and skeletons.

Papel picados are commonly displayed for both secular and religious occasions. Commonly strung together and used as decorations during the Fiestas Patrias, papel picado is also used during Easter, Christmas, the Day of the Dead, as well as during weddings, quinceañeras, baptisms, christenings, and feast days. In Mexico, papel picados are often incorporated into the altars (ofrendas) during the Day of the Dead and are hung throughout the streets during holidays. In the streets of Mexico, papel picados are often strung together to create a banner that can either be hung across alleyways or displayed in the home.