An author I recently interviewed sent me a copy of her book along with a note: “Since you appreciate fun and WOW! Moments, I’m including some emergency confetti. … You never know when something good will happen.” 

Emergency confetti??!! I’ll admit that I’m late to the party on this one. The idea has been around for a few years. I couldn’t track down the origin, but I did find this viral Twitter post. 

It made me think about confetti—the non-emergency type. Whose idea was it to throw tiny bits of paper into the air as a form of celebration? My guess is that it wasn’t a parent or someone who valued tidiness. It’s universal mom code to hate glitter and finger paint. Confetti seems to fall into that bucket, as well.

So, I went down the confetti rabbit hole and found some interesting tidbits (get it, tidbits) about the practice. 

First, confetti is the brainchild of the ancient Greeks. But they didn’t use paper. No, Greeks threw leaves, plants, and branches, which sounds dangerous. And kind of like yardwork. Returning soldiers, winning athletes, and marrying couples were subject to getting their eyes poked out and their clothes soiled all in the name of celebratory fun. 

Italians improved on the practice, tossing sugarplums and candy during parades. However, sugar was an expensive luxury, and some people to opted to throw bones, plaster balls, and rocks instead. Kind of like, “Hey, we’re so happy, we’re going to stone you.” 

We can thank the silkworms of 19^th Century Milan for getting us to the non-weapon variety of confetti. Apparently, their hatching process is a little sticky, and textile merchants used perforated paper in trays to catch their shells. One thrifty mill owner (whose motto was “sticks and stones broke my bones, so here’s a harmless option”) decided to cut it up and give it to his employees to throw during Carnevale.

The rest is confetti history, paving the way for the “King of Confetti,” Rip Taylor. 

I don’t think I’ve ever actually tossed confetti. Have you? And what is considered confetti-worthy? If you think about it, a lot in life is worth celebrating. Like when you hit all green lights. Find a quarter on the ground. Or a feather. Get free samples at Costco. Have a clear mammogram. Go for a hike with a new friend–and she brings her dog! Hear your favorite song on the radio. Reach Queen Bee status on Spelling Bee. Pull up to no line at the Chick-fil-A drive through.

Are these tossable events?

I have three packages of emergency confetti, so I’m armed and dangerous. A colorful storm is waiting to happen. Or not. To be honest, I’m a little afraid to use it. Remember, I’m the responsible sister. I might feel compelled to bring along a Dustbuster to clean up after myself. Or maybe I’ll just toss three hand-selected pieces that won’t cause a mess. But that would not be very WOW now, would it?

I will say this: The act of putting emergency confetti into your purse or pocket is empowering. It also makes you more attune to all the good around you. And there is so much good. So, look out. I’m packing heat confetti. And I just may use it. 

PS: Out on my walk, I noticed this Crepe Myrtle was dropping its petals and I thought it looked like nature’s confetti. Hurrah for summer!! 

PPS: I’ll be MIA for a couple of weeks because I’m about to do something crazy!! Details to follow. Ciao for now!!