NEW DORP LANE DAY HABILITATION
FUN TO DO
Hispanic History

The consumers at the New Dorp Lane Day Hab program decided to create banners that are popular traditions in many Hispanic cultures. Mexico is most famous for this type of festive decoration, called “papel picado.” Papel Picado is the Mexican art of papercutting into elaborate designs. These banners often are made and displayed during Las Posadas, which marks the beginning of the Mexican Christmas Holiday on December 16th.

Papel Picado Banners
Glue Stick
Scissors
Yarn
Multi-colored tissue paper

Step 1: Cut your tissue paper into rectangles that are about 9 inches x 12 inches. Fold over a flap at the top of each piece of paper. Be sure not to cut into this flap or the area that it covers.

Step 2: One sheet at a time, fold your tissue paper in half, and then in half again to make four layers. Cut interesting geometric shapes out of all your layers at once. Firmly hold the papers together while you cut.

Step 3: Open the paper. Fold it again one or two times and hold it up to the light. Wherever there is a solid area, you can cut more interior shapes! When you are satisfied with the first banner, repeat cutting with your other papers.

Step 4: Lay each cut paper with the folded flap up. Place yarn along the crease. Glue the flaps closed with your glue stick so that your banners hang from the yarn. Display your banners and you’re ready to party!