Top 10 Tips for a Cinco de Mayo Party

In 1862, the smaller Mexican army defeated the French army at the Battle of Puebla. The May 5th, Cinco de Mayo celebration is to commemorate this victory. It is recognized as a national holiday throughout Mexico as is becoming popular in many states of America where people of Mexican ancestry reside. Here are the top 10 tips for a Cinco de Mayo party.

1. Create your party invitations. This is a great way to remind people that you are throwing your annual Cinco de Mayo party. Make the invitations colorful, use traditional designs such as chili peppers and sombreros around the border to give them a distinctive edge. Put a little glitter or confetti in the envelope along with the invitation to add some festive fun.
2. Decorate your fence, trees and potted plants with red and green chili shaped lights to add a Mexican flavor. Take down your stars and stripes for the even and hang a Mexican flag.
3. Hang a happy Cinco de Mayo fiesta banner from the front of your house so your guests will know exactly where the party is happening. Tie black, green and orange helium filled balloons to your mail box.
4. Don’t forget that no Cinco de Mayo party would be completely authentic without a wreath of dried chilies hanging from the front door to welcome your guests.
5. Hang fiesta lanterns around the bar area and where the food is being served to jazz up the atmosphere. Add black, orange and green balloons to represent the Mexican national colors.
6. Break out the Mexican music or hire a mariachi band to entertain your guests. Don’t forget to clear a space either indoors or on the patio so your guests can dance.
7. Hang swathes of fiesta foil streamers from your ceiling to add color and sparkle.
8. Hand around sombreros to all your guests as they arrive to get them in the fiesta mood.
9. Serve traditional Mexican food from a buffet. Include classic Mexican favorites like warm tortillas, chili con queso, black bean salsa and Mexican rice.
10. Keep the margaritas flowing and your party is sure to be a hit.