Instead of grabbing your keys and heading to the bar, have your own Cinco de Mayo bash. You get to have your favorite foods and drinks and there is no cover charge. Grab your most colorful clothes, throw on some salsa music, and start to plan your party. The best part about all this is you are in charge. The party is in the best of hands.
Do not bite off more than you can chew! The key to successful planning is delegating. Have your friends and family bring dishes or condiments for everyone to enjoy. Another option if people are too busy is to have it catered. Make a list of striking dishes everyone loves to eat; quesadillas, individual flans and tamales. A taco and salsa bar set up with all kinds of yummy finger foods is easy. Remember to have enough thirst-quenching drinks for all ages. You should not only have margaritas and Mexican beer, some type of non-alcoholic option needs to part of the festivities. Look for agua fresco and horchata at your local market; these are suitable for all ages.
Decorations will help set the mood. Many party stores now carry supplies for Mexican themed gatherings. You can get brightly colored plates and cups as well as banners to hang on the walls. Strings of multicolor pennants are fun to string outdoors. Put up some red chili lights around the food table and hand out some fun sombreros or maracas to your guests to enjoy. Make some beautiful tissue paper flowers and use them to adorn your home. Hang streamers in the colors of the Mexican flag: red, green, and white. You can even go all out and hang up a piata.
Before putting together your guest list, you will need to figure out how many people your home can accommodate. Always add that the guest needs to RSVP on the invitations so you will be prepared. Give your invitation color and splash. Do not forget to get it out in a timely manner for all to respond.
Pick out some festive Mexican music to play during the party. Mexico has some beautiful folk music and who does not feel like having a good time when they listen to a mariachi band? Dancing is a great way for your guests to entertain themselves during your party.
If your party is going to be child-friendly, you will need to have some fun party games for all to play. There has stick the tail on the burro, just make sure everyone is safe while blindfolded. Everybody loves piatas or you can form a scavenger hunt. The main thing is to just have fun.
Once you have hosted this event, you will see how much fun it can be to throw Cinco de Mayo parties. Who knows, you may end up doing this every year! The trick to a successful gathering is to plan ahead. Throwing a great party is not hard; you just need to be organized.
After your party is over, you will be able to assess its level of success. Did everyone have a great time? Did you? The true mark of a successful party is when you can look back on it with satisfaction at all the great memories you made.
Mexicans love chilies so much they even use them to flavor their candy and ice cream! Not everything Mexican is spicy though. You can use fresh chilies, dried chilies or even reconstitute dried chilies to make really good Mexican recipes which taste authentic and are bursting with the unmistakable flavor of Mexico.
