the umbrella is fashioned out of paper, which can be patterned, with cardboard ribs. the ribs are made from cardboard in order to provide flexibility and to hinge so the umbrella can be pulled shut much like an ordinary umbrella. a small plastic retaining ring is often fashioned against the stem, a toothpick, in order to prevent the umbrella from folding up spontaneously. a sleeve of folded newspaper is located under the collar or base of the cocktail umbrella and is made out of recycled paper from either china, india or japan. as a result, they indicate their country of origin.