Confetti - Definition and Overview

Confetti is small pieces of paper or plastic which is thrown at celebrations. Confetti can be made in a variety of colors, and commercially available confetti is often available in imaginative shapes. A distinction is made between confetti and glitter; glitter is even smaller than confetti (pieces usually no larger than 1mm) and is universally shiny, whereas confetti is usually not shiny.

The simplest confetti is simply shredded paper, and can be made at home. Most party supply stores carry both paper and plastic confetti.

The name confetti comes from Italian, real confetti are small sweets made of almonds and sugar, usually wedding presents. The italian word for paper confetti is coriandoli.