When the piñata is ready, it is traditionally filled with oranges, limes, jicamas (a Mexican potato like fruit), sugar cane and peanuts. Currently, the piñata is filled with candy and small toys. With a rope, the piñata is hung over the heads of the children. The children, with their eyes covered with a piece of cloth try to break the piñata with a stick covered in colorful paper while yelling, “I don’t want gold, nor silver, what I really want is to break the piñata!”

According to the tradition, the covering of the child’s eyes demonstrates that faith is blind. The stick, used to break the piñata, represents the virtue needed to overcome the temptations of the devil over a child’s life. The breaking of the piñata represents the triumph of good over bad and the candy, or presents that the piñata releases represents charity because everyone gets a piece of the presents released by the broken piñata.

In modern times, the piñata is not only used in child’s birthday parties but it is also a custom to use piñatas to decorate businesses and streets in Mexican towns, making the piñata a Mexican custom.