The feeling of happiness and joy is contagious. Without even realizing it, we often find ourselves smiling and laughing along with those around us. One of the best ways to experience this feeling is by partaking in cultural traditions and celebrations, such as the Mexican holiday of Dia de los Muertos.
Free Printable Papel Picado Templates
Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a celebration of life and death that takes place annually on November 1st and 2nd. During this holiday, people come together to honor and remember their loved ones who have passed away.
One of the most iconic decorations of Dia de los Muertos is papel picado, which translates to “perforated paper.” These colorful, intricately cut designs are hung up as banners throughout homes, businesses, and public spaces.
If you’re looking to create your own papel picado banners for this year’s Dia de los Muertos celebration, there are many free printable templates available online.
How to Make Papel Picado
Making papel picado is a fun and creative activity that you can do by yourself, with friends, or with family. All you need is some tissue paper, scissors, and a template to follow.
1. Choose a template: There are many websites that offer free printable templates for papel picado. Choose one that you like and print it out.
2. Fold the tissue paper: To make cutting easier, fold the tissue paper into a stack that is about the same size as the template. You can use as many or as few layers as you’d like.
3. Trace the pattern: Place the template on top of the folded tissue paper. Trace the pattern onto the tissue paper with a pen or pencil. Make sure to mark any areas that need to be cut out.
4. Cut out the pattern: Using a pair of scissors, carefully cut out the pattern from the tissue paper. Take your time and be precise to make sure that the design looks neat and clean.
Tips for Making Papel Picado
While making papel picado can be a lot of fun, it can also be a bit tricky. Here are a few tips to help you create the perfect banners:
– Use sharp scissors: The sharper your scissors are, the easier it will be to cut through multiple layers of tissue paper.
– Cut slowly: Don’t rush through cutting out the design. Take your time and be patient.
– Practice first: If you’re new to making papel picado, try practicing on a piece of scrap paper first. This will help you get a feel for how the paper behaves and how to make clean cuts.
Using Papel Picado
Once you’ve made your papel picado banners, there are many ways that you can use them to decorate your home and celebrate Dia de los Muertos. Here are some ideas:
– Hang them up: The most traditional way to use papel picado is to hang it up as banners. You can string the banners between trees, across your porch, or in any other area that you’d like to decorate.
– Create a backdrop: If you’re hosting a Dia de los Muertos party, you can use papel picado banners as a backdrop for your photo booth or food table.
– Make garlands: You can also use papel picado to make garlands. Simply string the cutouts onto a piece of string or ribbon and hang them up.
Conclusion
Papel picado is a beautiful and festive decoration that is synonymous with Dia de los Muertos. Whether you’re making papel picado for the first time or are a seasoned pro, there are many free printable templates available online to help guide you in your creation.
By adding papel picado banners to your Dia de los Muertos celebration, you can help honor and celebrate the memories of those who have passed away, while also experiencing the joy and happiness that comes with this cultural tradition.
