Ithaca College

It’s nearly FIESTA TIME! With Cinco de Mayo (May 5th) right around the corner, it’s time to make plans for your own celebration.  Make your Cinco de Mayo fiesta muy fabulosa with these helpful tips and ideas.

Decorations
Do you have Mexican blankets, sombreros, dolls or other souvenirs you picked up on a trip to Mexico?  If so, find a way to incorporate them into your decor.  The genuine item is always preferable to a plastic imitation.  Tissue paper flowers are part of the Mexican fiesta decor in Mexico, so find a way to incorporate them into your decorations.  Natural decorations such as a cacti arrangement or a chili pepper wreath (ristra) would work well as a centerpiece.  Whether they serve as accents to your food, or mere conversation pieces, get a selection of hot sauces to place around your table.  You can also purchase strands of chili pepper lights to add a spicy glow to your party, indoors or outdoors.

Music
Background music is essential.  Check out Pandora.com and set your station to salsa, tejano music or mariachi tunes to liven up the occasion.

Food & Beverages
Some favorite appetizers for a Mexican-themed party include jalapeno poppers and nachos with guacamole and salsa.  About.com's food channel offers lots of different options for Cinco de Mayo menus and recipes.  You can check out some of them by clicking here.

The TIPS are courtesy of Donna Pilato's article "A Mexican Fiesta Dinner Club Menu" found here. 

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