Where in the tubes can I find a quality pinata, fast?
August 18, 2008 7:39 PM Subscribe
I need a pinata before Saturday, where in the tubes does one order such a thing and how do I tell a good pinata from a bad one? Any fun ideas for fillings? Additional creative queries inside.
This will be for a big kids party.
A pre-democratic convention party to be specific. I was thinking a classic donkey pinata would be appropriate. But any fun ideas relating to democratic politics would be welcome as well.
Should I worry about drunken campaign staff wolloping my pinata at first bat (should I be worrying more about them wolloping me inadvertently)? I want this puppy to withstand a few swings in an ideal circumstance.
Thanks hive mind. I'll send pictures once it's over.
This will be for a big kids party.
A pre-democratic convention party to be specific. I was thinking a classic donkey pinata would be appropriate. But any fun ideas relating to democratic politics would be welcome as well.
Should I worry about drunken campaign staff wolloping my pinata at first bat (should I be worrying more about them wolloping me inadvertently)? I want this puppy to withstand a few swings in an ideal circumstance.
Thanks hive mind. I'll send pictures once it's over.
toys r us sells the classic donkey piñata in every Canadian store I've shopped at, but I can't speak to U.S. stores.
And miniature Tootsie-Rolls are a terrific candy for piñata stuffing. You have to really know your audience, but anything small, cheap and fun can go in there.
posted by chudmonkey at 7:48 PM on August 18, 2008
And miniature Tootsie-Rolls are a terrific candy for piñata stuffing. You have to really know your audience, but anything small, cheap and fun can go in there.
posted by chudmonkey at 7:48 PM on August 18, 2008
Also, strictly speaking, wouldn't it be more fun to beat the ever-loving piss out of an elephant? Might be harder to find an elephant pinata...
posted by disillusioned at 7:49 PM on August 18, 2008
posted by disillusioned at 7:49 PM on August 18, 2008
Response by poster: Yes, thanks folks. I'm familiar with "the google."
I was looking for a testament to the quality of different pinatas or retailers. Has anyone used any of these stores? Anyone know the difference between a good pinata and a bad one?
disillusioned: yes, it would be more fun to thwack an elephant. Great point.
posted by willie11 at 7:57 PM on August 18, 2008
I was looking for a testament to the quality of different pinatas or retailers. Has anyone used any of these stores? Anyone know the difference between a good pinata and a bad one?
disillusioned: yes, it would be more fun to thwack an elephant. Great point.
posted by willie11 at 7:57 PM on August 18, 2008
There's a pinatas.com. I just ordered one from there and it was good.
Second the idea for an elephant pinata.
There's an art to managing the walloping. Make everyone line up and stay well back from the pinata and the assailant. Give the assailant a stick and plenty of room. Give them only one swing, then make the next person go until everyone has a chance. Surprisingly, pinatas are really hard to break.
If you want to handicap them additionally have them wear a blindfold. I've discovered, though, that a blindfold is unecessary if they get just one whack, and if you can control the pinata rope to make it swing.
Figure out where to hang it from, and how, well ahead of time.
For adults, you can put fun stuff in it, like stickers, and small bottles of alcohol.
posted by Miko at 8:00 PM on August 18, 2008 [2 favorites]
Second the idea for an elephant pinata.
There's an art to managing the walloping. Make everyone line up and stay well back from the pinata and the assailant. Give the assailant a stick and plenty of room. Give them only one swing, then make the next person go until everyone has a chance. Surprisingly, pinatas are really hard to break.
If you want to handicap them additionally have them wear a blindfold. I've discovered, though, that a blindfold is unecessary if they get just one whack, and if you can control the pinata rope to make it swing.
Figure out where to hang it from, and how, well ahead of time.
For adults, you can put fun stuff in it, like stickers, and small bottles of alcohol.
posted by Miko at 8:00 PM on August 18, 2008 [2 favorites]
dont forget to spin the crap out of the blindfolded person before they take a wack. and then yeah, stay back! seconding the airplane bottles of alcohol idea.
posted by fillsthepews at 8:04 PM on August 18, 2008
posted by fillsthepews at 8:04 PM on August 18, 2008
Piñatas aren't quality items. They are designed to pretty much destruct when someone gets a good hit. If you want to make is more challenging, you have it able to move easily along the line where it's suspended. That way it can sort of move out of the person range if they only get a light tap on it.
If someone gets a solid whack on it, it should break. It's no fun if it's an unbreakable piñata.
Don't underestimate the challenge that blindfolds, spinning the person, and strong margaritas add to the piñata challenge.
posted by 26.2 at 8:33 PM on August 18, 2008
If someone gets a solid whack on it, it should break. It's no fun if it's an unbreakable piñata.
Don't underestimate the challenge that blindfolds, spinning the person, and strong margaritas add to the piñata challenge.
posted by 26.2 at 8:33 PM on August 18, 2008
I went to a party at which someone filled a piñata with chocolate-flavored pudding. I have never laughed harder . . . but I was pretty far away from the piñata when it revealed its "surprise" to greedy party-goers. It was the first time I ever even heard of a piñata, and I was very disappointed to learn that they aren't all so full of puddingy goodness.
posted by Dee Xtrovert at 8:36 PM on August 18, 2008 [1 favorite]
posted by Dee Xtrovert at 8:36 PM on August 18, 2008 [1 favorite]
a few disposable cameras, cheap Mardi Gras beads, playing cards, in the pinata.
check out Oriental Trading Co for cheap stuffers.
I vote to have somone raise and lower the pinata in front of a blindfolded person. Most pinatas are made for kids' parties, I'd think you'd need to make the game a bit more challenging so it doesn't get crushed at the first whack.
posted by MuckWeh at 9:30 PM on August 18, 2008
check out Oriental Trading Co for cheap stuffers.
I vote to have somone raise and lower the pinata in front of a blindfolded person. Most pinatas are made for kids' parties, I'd think you'd need to make the game a bit more challenging so it doesn't get crushed at the first whack.
posted by MuckWeh at 9:30 PM on August 18, 2008
Sorry I didn't properly comment on the quality. I've used the classic donkey pinata I linked to many times. Works good. It's a cardboard donkey covered in tissue paper. Toys R Us is a decent store. It's a large, box-style store that specializes in toys and amusements for young people. They have decent prices.
posted by chudmonkey at 9:34 PM on August 18, 2008 [1 favorite]
posted by chudmonkey at 9:34 PM on August 18, 2008 [1 favorite]
I recall seeing a shelf full of pre-filled piñatas at our local WalMart. Not sure if it was a seasonal item for some reason or if it was in a general party supply aisle, but it might be worth a try. And any piñata ought to be easy enough to create an opening in and customize the filling.
posted by Tubes at 9:36 PM on August 18, 2008
posted by Tubes at 9:36 PM on August 18, 2008
Haha. Pinatas.com even has a republican elephant.
posted by disillusioned at 10:07 PM on August 18, 2008 [1 favorite]
posted by disillusioned at 10:07 PM on August 18, 2008 [1 favorite]
I have always been disappointed in the pinatas I have bought at shops. They are really tough cardboard and almost impossible to crack open unless you basically stomp on them while on the ground. I have made pinatas with the basic paper mache over a balloon recipe but you may not have the time or talent for that. I recently bought a pinata from oriental trading (linked upthread) that instead of hitting had a bunch of ribbons hanging and everyone got to pull on one (one was attached to a trap door that opened to dump the prizes). That pinata was filled with mardi gras beads, mini flags, ribbons on sticks, rings, stickers, hard candy and plastic toy animals. Archie mcPhee has cool, but pricey, stuff to put inside. I actually replaced the ribbons and sealed the trap door and used it at another party a week later. It was just a plain circle with a flat side I attached a picture to.
posted by saucysault at 1:09 AM on August 19, 2008
posted by saucysault at 1:09 AM on August 19, 2008
Growing up in Mexico, the piñatas were made of clay. That sounds dangerous and it was. As soon as someone got a good whack, the thing would give a loud and satisfying crack and shards of clay and candy would go flying in all directions. Fun times.
The classic piñata ritual is this: Kids line up to take a whack. They are blindfolded and given the stick. There is an adult in charge and he will first grab the kid and spin him around a bit to disorient him. Then the kid starts swinging.
The piñata is best hung on a line or if not then over a tree branch. The point is that the piñata can be controlled both in height and, if possible, position. The adult handling the piñata will try to move the piñata behind the swinging kids head and try to surprise him/her. Meanwhile, as the kid is swinging wildly into the air, getting randomly attacked by the piñata itself, everyone is laughing at them. After a few minutes, "enough" is declared and the blindfold is passed on.
With modern mache or cardboard piñatas, its almost impossible to crack them in the same way as clay. So what usually happens is that after some kid gets a "deadly" hit - opening up a small hole in which candy is oozing out of the piñata - the adult will declare the piñata "dead" and walk up to it and tear it open with his hands, starting the candy madness.
Also, during the whacking process, everyone sings the piñata song:
Dale, dale, dale,
No pierdas el tino
Porque si lo pierdes
pierdes el camino.
Dale, dale, dale
y no le dio
Quítenle la venda
¡Porque sigo yo!
¡Se Acabó!
¡Sigo yo!
posted by vacapinta at 4:45 AM on August 19, 2008 [2 favorites]
The classic piñata ritual is this: Kids line up to take a whack. They are blindfolded and given the stick. There is an adult in charge and he will first grab the kid and spin him around a bit to disorient him. Then the kid starts swinging.
The piñata is best hung on a line or if not then over a tree branch. The point is that the piñata can be controlled both in height and, if possible, position. The adult handling the piñata will try to move the piñata behind the swinging kids head and try to surprise him/her. Meanwhile, as the kid is swinging wildly into the air, getting randomly attacked by the piñata itself, everyone is laughing at them. After a few minutes, "enough" is declared and the blindfold is passed on.
With modern mache or cardboard piñatas, its almost impossible to crack them in the same way as clay. So what usually happens is that after some kid gets a "deadly" hit - opening up a small hole in which candy is oozing out of the piñata - the adult will declare the piñata "dead" and walk up to it and tear it open with his hands, starting the candy madness.
Also, during the whacking process, everyone sings the piñata song:
Dale, dale, dale,
No pierdas el tino
Porque si lo pierdes
pierdes el camino.
Dale, dale, dale
y no le dio
Quítenle la venda
¡Porque sigo yo!
¡Se Acabó!
¡Sigo yo!
posted by vacapinta at 4:45 AM on August 19, 2008 [2 favorites]
This question has some great responses for goofy fillings - we ended up using tiny bottles of booze*, superballs, and hundreds of fake plastic spiders in addition to all the candy. The superballs went everywhere and created a nice havoc while the spiders fell all over the person with the bat.
Just a note - make sure you definitely have a place you can hang it up with a lot of swinging room!
*by big kids party, do you mean a big party for kids or a party for big kids?
posted by troika at 4:48 AM on August 19, 2008
Just a note - make sure you definitely have a place you can hang it up with a lot of swinging room!
*by big kids party, do you mean a big party for kids or a party for big kids?
posted by troika at 4:48 AM on August 19, 2008
Response by poster: troika: This will be an adult party. Thanks for the link.
disillusioned: awesome. although it seems to me that a recognizable GOP pinata would be best at a republican party. Is the theory that one bashes something that they they like, or is there scorn in the bashing? I may be over thinking this.
Pinatas.com has a handful of political pinatas. I liked the Rudy Giuliani one, mainly because it kind of looks like Larry Craig.
In theory, we could use the Barack Obama pinata. But in reality, there's no way I'm stringing that thing up on a tree and having a bunch of young white folks beat on it with bats... not in the south. Even if half the people there work for him, that might still be impolitic.
posted by willie11 at 5:35 AM on August 19, 2008
disillusioned: awesome. although it seems to me that a recognizable GOP pinata would be best at a republican party. Is the theory that one bashes something that they they like, or is there scorn in the bashing? I may be over thinking this.
Pinatas.com has a handful of political pinatas. I liked the Rudy Giuliani one, mainly because it kind of looks like Larry Craig.
In theory, we could use the Barack Obama pinata. But in reality, there's no way I'm stringing that thing up on a tree and having a bunch of young white folks beat on it with bats... not in the south. Even if half the people there work for him, that might still be impolitic.
posted by willie11 at 5:35 AM on August 19, 2008
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by disillusioned at 7:44 PM on August 18, 2008