Doña Mechita, 94, has been making piñatas for nearly 30 years, but she became famous when, a little over 10 years ago, she started fashioning her piñatas as turkeys.
She produces around 150 turkey piñatas from her home each year. She gets an early start, beginning production in January and selling them for MX$350 (US$18) in the front room of her home each November, ahead of Christmas festivities.
This income helps her cover her living costs and medical bills not covered by her government pension.
A piñata is often made solely of papier-mâché, and nowadays, rarely uses a clay pot as a container. It is decorated with shiny paper and colored tissue, then filled with candy, fruit, and small toys, to be broken during Mexican celebrations, particularly on birthdays, during posadas, and at Christmas and other festive occasions.
To purchase Doña Mechita’s unique piñatas, visit Calle 18 número 105e x 23 y 25, Colonia Chuburná de Hidalgo, Mérida. Call ahead by contacting Doña Mechita’s daughter, Mercedes. WhatsApp: 999-746-2677
