Do you come from a Mexican family or you just love all things Mexican? In that case, there’s certainly room for more when celebrating Cinco de Mayo, a celebration commemorated by Mexicans all throughout the world.

The Cinco De Mayo History

The colorful holiday began when General Ignacio Zaragoza became victorious over French invaders in 1862 at the city of Puebla, Mexico. While Cinco de Mayo is a national holiday, it is not Mexico’s Independence Day. It’s does not just celebrate Mexican history, but also their culture.

Mexican Party Invitations

Use familiar Mexican party items like sombreros, banderitas, maracas and pinatas. For your color motif, use earth-toned colors, like yellows, reds, browns and oranges. A Mexican flag-themed invitation is also a great idea. If you’re pressed for time, just draw red-hot chilis dancing at the edges of your invitation.

Decorating for Cinco de Mayo

Transport your guests to another culture and country by decorating your Cinco De May party colorfully. You don’t have to limit yourself to any color combination: Reds, pinks, oranges, greens and blues are all welcome. Go crazy and have fun. Here are some suggestions:

Banderitas
• Chili pepper wreaths. Available at your world food markets, have a vibrant surprise to welcome your guests by putting up chili pepper wreaths at your front door. You can also string chilis and use it to decorate the rest of the room. There are also stringed chili-shaped lights available at your party supplies store, so be sure to check it out. Chili’s a very important ingredient in Mexican food, and its bright red color makes anything look cheerier.
• Banderitas. Another staple in Mexican fiestas are the banderitas, made of colorful flaglets stringed together, that wave with the wind. String them all over your ceiling for an authentic fiesta feel.
• Red, white and green tablecloths. Following the colors of the Mexican flag by decorating your tables with its unique shades of red and green. You can also use tablecloths that are lined with these colors.
• Inflatable cacti. Cacti grow everywhere in Mexico, so prop up some fun inflatable cacti and balloons that will tickle, and not prickle, your fancy.

Mariachi band
• Table centerpieces. Why not use flame-red daisies as a crowning glory to your tables? Or if you want something more interesting and fun, how about authentic sombreros, neon maracas or chili-shaped candles? You can also use candle holders in different colors with tea candles in them for a really bright and cheerful effect.
• Paper flowers. Using colored tissue paper and scissors, pleat the tissue and secure with wire to make paper flowers. Use the scissors to make “petals”. You can use these paper flowers as centerpieces, napkin holders and even costume accessories.
• Mariachi band. Nothing shouts authentic Mexican experience than hiring a Mariachi band to serenade you and make you dance. If you can’t hire a band, play traditional Mexican songs instead.

 

Dressing Up, Mexican Style

Have you always been fascinated with traditional Mexican dresses and fashion? Cinco de Mayo is the perfect opportunity to don those flowing skirts and flamboyant sombreros. If you don’t have any, just use the Mexican flag’s colors red, white and forest green. Here are a few tips on dressing up for Cinco de Mayo.

• Visit the nearest Spanish or Mexican community and look for dress shops that rent clothes for fiestas, festivals or “quincaeneras” or the coming of age of 15-year-old girls. There are many designs to choose from. You may even be inspired to make your own Mexican party dress.
• Another option is to seek out a dressmaker who knows how to make Mexican fiesta clothing or costume pieces.
• Visit vintage stores to look for Mexican clothes. You might even find a small guitar as an accessory, playing it is only optional, of course.
• For women, colorful long, flowy and ruffled skirts paired with tops or blouses are your best bet. If you’re going to wear a dress, go for flowing and ruffled ones as well. Don’t forget to wear your serapes, or traditional shawls. If you think it’s too hot, you can make one out of paper, instead. Tie your hair up in pretty, bright ribbons.
• For men, embroidered shirts, jeans, ponchos, huraches that resemble flip flops, and sombreros are great as Cinco de Mayo costume.

Say "Ole!" To Authentic Mexican Food

Cinco de Mayo is the best excuse to gorge on your favorite Mexican food and drink! You can ask your guests to bring Mexican food, just make sure you know what they’re bringing, so you won’t have to deal with multiple servings of the same food item. Here are some items you shouldn’t miss.

• Sopes. A traditional Mexican snack made from masa harina, soaked in lime, pinched at the sides and topped with meat, cheese, onions and salsa.
• Empanadas. A baked, golden-brown pastry filled with yam, pumpkins, sweet potato and occasionally, chicken or pork.
• Sopapilla. A kind of fried bread made from wheat flour, manteca, zapallo and pure salt. It can be either salty or sweet, but is often eaten as dessert.




Delicious empanada

Yummy tacos

Margarita for drinks

• Tacos. Don’t forget your cheese, lettuce, onions, salsa and ground beef fillings. (Learn how to make tacos)
• Guacamole. An easy-to-do avocado-based dish, this is a relish that you’ll definitely relish.
• Quesadillas. Literally translates to a “cheesy little thing”. Have these soft, cheesy nibbles at your party, they’re sure to be a hit.
• Margaritas. A traditional Mexican party drink, made with lime juice, triple sec and crushed ice. Serve with salt at the rim. Even the most lightweight of drinkers will want to have a second round!

Fiesta Like You Mean It

Here are some Cinco de Mayo party suggestions and activities to keep the fiesta going:

• Mexican Hat Dance. A simple and traditional dance, but, with the flourish of your long skirts, becomes quite a thing of beauty. For a simpler version, ask the participant to form a circle around a sombrero and hold hands. While dancing to Mexican music, their names are called one by one, and the person called must then dance towards the sombrero, and then return to the line.
• Macarena Dance Off. For something more recent, dance the Macarena. It also has easy dance steps, sure to be enjoyed by everyone.
• Limbo rock. If you’re still young and limber, why do the limbo dance? Bragging rights always go the best limbo dancer.
• Piñata! No fiesta will be complete without a traditional piñata. Fill it with goodies and sweets and have the kids take their chances breaking it open. (Tips on how to make a pinata)

Wanna see mexican party! Check out this video.

Enjoy yourself with all things Mexican. Celebrating Cinco de Mayo will open you up to a wider community and expose your guests to more exotic and unique tastes and culture.