Confetti - A Backgrounder

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The word is Italian and originally referred to the colorfully wrapped fruit confections and almond candy which were traditionally distributed and exchanged by people in Italy at carnival time. It is actually the plural form of 'confetto' or sweetmeat. Carnival time was the period of celebration immediately preceding lent. It was held to bid goodbye to good food and drinks (which people abstained from during lent) and also as thanksgiving for the anticipated 'redemption of mankind.' By the end of the 19th century the rest of Europe had not only adopted the word 'confetti' but instead of handing out sweetmeats, colorful paper (much like the wrappings of the original Italian confetti) gradually replaced the rice, grains and flower petals that were traditionally sprinkled on celebrants of special occasions. The first recorded instance of the use of bits of paper as confetti was in 1890.

The word was eventually adopted by most of Europe and England by the 19th century to denote the rice and/or grains and petals which were used to sprinkle the bride and groom with blessings and good wishes after their wedding. In time, when rice was little by little replaced by colored bits of paper for showering newly-weds with, 'confetti' came to mean the bits of paper that were rained during weddings.

Modern confetti is all cut from metallic paper. This preference has to do with the brilliance of this material. The effect of metallic confetti can approximate firework displays during a well-lit outdoor party. As an alternative to the actual use of fireworks, metallic confetti has found great favor with the green crowd or people who are wary of the dangers of using explosive chemicals. They are not only safer but can achieve effects that fireworks can't.

Naturally, confetti can be made using a good and sharp pair of scissors. The disadvantage to doing this is that the shapes and sizes of the confetti particles may not come out the same. Besides that smaller bits of confetti cannot be produced with scissors. Nor can a huge quantity of it be done in a reasonable period of time. As already mentioned longer strips of confetti may be produced by shredding tissue. Alternatively, paper chards which are the paper particles produced when paper is punched, are also used as confetti fillers.

Modern makers of confetti are able to produce symmetrical shapes depicting images that can be customized for the occasion they are intended for. Heart-shaped confetti may be used for Valentine parties and weddings. Star shapes might be appropriate for the New Year.

About the Author:
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