Roosevelt Standard | 1953-12-24 | Page 15 | 1953 CHRISTMAS EDITION, Custom of 'Pinata' Observed in Mexico, is Spreading to U.S

OLl&wed in Mexico-, H SpAecdincj, U U.S. The pinata, Christmas custom so long observed by the happy children chil-dren of Mexico, is gradually spreading spread-ing into the United States. Although it performs year-round duty in the land south of the border, the pinata is busiest during the Mexican Christian festival that lasts from December 16 to January 6. In America, it is used in various parts of the country only at Christmas time. The pinata is made of thin, fragile clay, and is filled with sweetmeats and trinkets before being suspended from the ceiling. Each of the guests, not always only just children is blindfolded and given a stick. The object is to swing the sticks overhead until someone shatters the pinata, sending send-ing the delicious contents pouring out. The pinata is a great aid in making mak-ing the long Christmas season tolerable tol-erable for Mexican children. Tradition Tradi-tion decrees that they must wait until the final day of the 21-day Christmas season to receive their gifts.