Looking at the History of Pinata

Cinco de mayo is coming on Monday and being a bank holiday weekend, you can opt to celebrate it by breaking some pinatas. Why Pinatas? Because it is one of many tradition associated with Mexico.

However the pinata actually originated in China when Marco Polo discovered figures like cows, oxen and other animals decorated in bright paper and filled with colored sticks, and seeds which the people would knock them and burn the remains and gathered the ashes for good luck in the New Year.This custom passed through Europe, particularly Italy where it became a tradition of Lent and eventually spread to other countries around Europe and eventually to Spain. 

Originally, the pinata represented Satan. It was made to be bright and beautiful to lure innocent people into touching it and the candies, fruits and nuts inside represented the temptations of the Devil. The stick used to hit the pinata represented goodness to fight the evil. The person hitting the pinata was blindfolded to represented blind faith. Once the pinata broke and let out the goodies, the goodies represented just a reward. Then the pinata symbolized 'charity' because everyone got to share in the wonderful gifts and blessings. 

The Spanish then bought this tradition to Mexico, to be specific to the Aztec Indians through its explorers. The Aztecs willfully adopted this activity because it was strangely similar to a custom they already practiced. 

They decorated clay pots of their own and filled them with treasures to celebrate the birthday of the god of war and would beat the clay pot, which was strung in front of an image of the god of war, and the treasures would fall to the feet of the image as an offering to him. On the other hand, Maya Indians also used pinatas, but they blindfolded each other to make it more of a sport. 

Since the Aztecs and Mayas belong in Mexico, this tradition spread throughout the country and has evolved with pinatas being decorated differently according to different heritage and is mostly used as a fun activity for birthday parties and Las Posadas, the time to welcome the Christmas season in Mexico. 

Now you know the history behind the pinata, get your hands on one in store or online and celebrate cinco de mayo like no other. 

Not only pinatas, we also have sombreros , so come down to the store or buy it online. 

Star Wars Party for May the 4th

May the 4th is celebrated as Star Wars day by millions of fans world wide and this year, its on a Sunday of May bank holiday weekend so you can party all night long without the usual waking up early Monday morning.

First on the checklist for every party is the invitation. We prefer to stick with this idea: 

Or, if you prefer, you can make Jedi sword from pool noodles and simply attach an invitation card with it. Every Jedi needs a sword, so its killing two birds with one stone. 

Diy from Muddy Boots

For food, get creative with the names and simply convert a party food to Star Wars related like the parents who threw this birthday party as seen in this article. We are especially fond of these ones:

Finally, we at Fun 'N' Frolic believe that every party should be fancy dress and with the theme as epic as 'Star Wars' dressing up is way more fun so here  are some of the costumes available online and in store. 

(1) Jabba the Hutt Costume  (2) Stormtrooper Costume  (3) Jawa Costume
(4) Darth Vader Costume  (5) Princess Leia Costume  (6) Anakin Skywalker Costume  
(7) Han Solo Costume   (8) X- Wing Pilot Costume   (9) Yoda Costume 
all at Funnfrolic.co.uk 

Not forgetting the children costumes:

(1) Darth Maul Costume   (2) Darth Vader Costume   (3) Clone Trooper Costume
(4) Yoda Costume   (5) Chewbacca Costume   (6) Princess Leia Costume
(7) Obi-wan Kenobi Costume   (8) Jedi Basic Robe   (9) Anakin Skywalker Costume,
all at Funnfrolic.co.uk

There are plenty of party ideas you could do with this theme, you can throw a Jedi Training party for the kids or simply dress up and have a Star Wars movie marathon with your friends as we need to gear up for 'Star Wars 7' set for December 2015 release.

Movie Costumes: Pulp Fiction

Being a huge fan of Quentin Tarantino movies, the first post on movie costume is from one of my favorite movie of his: Pulp Fiction. The costume of the main character is mainly monochromatic and simple so its easy to get your hands on and portray them for fancy dress parties. 

Mia Wallace, the boss's pretty young wife (played by Uma Thurman) is easy to portray, you just need change your hair or get a wig, a sleek bob with a fringe. For the outfit, get on a white shirt, bigger the better and black capri pants or jeans with a black shoe (heels or flat, whatever you fancy). A red lip and a cigarette in hand is all you need to finish the look, however,we don't condone smoking in any form. For the added touch, you can use fake blood to drip down your nose to portray her in her final scene. 

Wig & Fake Blood on FunnFrolic.co.uk

For the character of Vincent Vega(played by John Travolta) and Jules Winnfield (played by Samuel L. Jackson), the two hit men who shoot other crooks for the late payment to their boss, portray them with different wigs as shown below while their outfit is same as Reservoir Dogs, another one of Mr. Tarantino master piece, comprising of black suit with white shirt and black tie; and black shoes. 

Wigs: Top(Mullet Wig), Bottom(Cop Kit) on Funnfrolic.co.uk

The costumes work wonderfully well as a group or a couple costume. Anyways, I'll  finish off this post with this epic dance scene from the movie:

Straw Hats for Easter Bonnet

Easter is a week away, so if you or your children are thinking of wearing an Easter bonnet, why not get a start this weekend by buying your base: 

Straw Boater is perfect to decorate with flowers, chicks, bunnies or anything you  fancy, you are gonna end up looking great and once Easter is done, you can use it for school fancy dress. 

If you are gonna go adventurous why not get your hands on a sombrero or a beach hat, you can build a nest on top of it with your own flocks of chicks or even hold up a  ginormous egg.

 Here are some ideas we like:

If you need more inspiration, here are some wacky and wonderful bonnets from the New York Easter Parade: 

However you decide to decorate your bonnet, wear it proudly to celebrate the coming of new season and why not tag us in your photos in twitter. 
Follow us @FunNFrolicBerks

Happy Easter!

Mad Hatter's Easter Tea Party

At Fun 'N' Frolic, we like to turn every occasion into a fancy dress themed party and Easter, being a week away, definitely screams for a Mad Hatter's Tea Party.

Foremost to sort out the invitation, you can do using playing cards. We love this from: www.bachelorsway.com

Second, to decide on the decorations. A tea party requires a grand table with tea cups, pots and plates. For the food, cakes, biscuits, sweets and for drinks, tea of course.

Once everything is organized, all you need to do is prepare those fancy dresses.
The party is not going start without the Mad Hatter and the queen is always invited.

Not to forget, a few Alice.

For the rabbit, why not don a three piece suit over this costume and make sure to keep a pocket watch.

The Cheshire cat can come to life through the use of this wonderful cat kit plus some clever make up skills: 

If you are not up for dressing up, we got Alice in wonderland mask to make sure you are not left out.

If you need more ideas on the party, why not head over  here. 

5 Things You Should Know About Us

No. 1: Our store in 16a Richfield Avenue, Reading RG1 8EQ(opposite Rivermead leisure Centre) is 10,000 sq ft that houses everything your party needs from party wares to fancy dress even balloon decorations. Give us a visit and see for yourself!

No. 2: We have been in the business for almost 27 years from the humble beginning at the center of Reading in 1987 to our superstore in Richfield Avenue where we have been since 2008.

No. 3: We not only sell 1000 of costumes for any occasion, we even hire them out. Have a peek at the products online: www.funnfrolic.co.uk 

No. 4: We like to think of ourselves as a one stop party store so we got our selves an in house expert on balloon decorations, so if you want huge balloons for an extravagant event or just a balloon bouquet for someone special, just drop in store. For further information,  visit our sister site: www.berkshire-balloons.co.uk

No. 5: If balloons are not the pop you want in your event, we got fireworks as well to put the bang. 

 For any inquiries regarding costumes, products, balloons or fireworks give us a call at: 0800 294 1130 or drop us an email at: info@funnfrolic.co.uk or come and see us at our store, you won't be disappointed.