The holiday of Cinco De Mayo, "The Fifth of May", commemorates the victory of the Mexicans over the French army at The Battle of Puebla in 1862. It is primarily a regional holiday celebrated in the Mexican state capital city of Puebla and throughout the state of Puebla, but is also celebrated in other parts of the world with a Mexican population.

For a complete history visit www.mexonline.com

THROW YOUR OWN MEXICAN PARTY

If you can't make it to Mexico for the real thing, why not throw your own Mexican theme party? When you are doing a Mexican theme, think vibrant and vivacious. The colors should be bright, loud and excessive. The music should be upbeat and fun.

	How to make paper flowers. Find colorful sheets of tissue paper. Place different colors one atop another. Use between 6 to 10 pieces. Fold the stack accordion style and place flower wire in the center to secure. Gently pull the first layer toward the center on the left, then on the right. Continue until you have a round flower.

Decorations

Decorate the room with lots and lots of colorful streamers. The colors, such as red, green and white, and sheer amount of the paper streamers should be vibrant and overstated. Decorate the room with colorful, oversized paper flowers and make smaller flowers for the female guests to wear in their hair.

You're never too old for a piñata
To top off your room hang a piñata. It adds a great touch and doubles as a game at the end of the party -- watch them line up to bat. You can find piñata's at a local hobby or novelty store. To buy piñatas (and other Cinco de Mayo supplies) online, visit www.1partysuppliesandfavors.com/

Costumes

Keep it simple, a sombrero and a colorful blanket draped over the shoulder for the each gentleman, and colorful dresses for the women. Welcome party goers with Mexican music at the door -- and a Margarita cocktail, of course.

Music

The music is easy as there are so many choices for Mexican music; Mariachi bands, salsa, and tejano. If it gets too overwhelming, choose something with a little of everything. Something like Viva El Mariachi by Nati Mariachi Los Camperos Cano. It is a collection of traditional Mexican favorites.

Drinks

GETTING TEQUILA STRAIGHT:
Once known as a coarse and fiery spirit that needed to be combined with fruit juice and sugar in order to be palatable, tequila has become respectable — and not just in the sunny states that border Mexico, but all over the world.

Learn more about tequila »

MARGARITA [mahr-gah-REE-tah]
A cocktail made with tequila, an orange-flavored liqueur and lime juice, it has quietly and steadily become an international phenomenon, and according to the readers of Gourmet magazine, it is the now most popular cocktail in North America.

Learn more about the Margarita »

SALUD CERVEZA
South-of-the-border beers provide cool thirst-quenching refreshment on hot days. When the temperature soars, you'll likely want to grab a light lager for the patio or beach.

Get the lowdown on Mexican beers »

Food

Buffet style parties are easier, and more informal, for the hostess and her guests. For this buffet setting use a brightly colored table cloth. Place a sombrero in the center of the table as a centerpiece and scatter bright red chili peppers around the brim to add color. If you are serving tacos use wicker baskets, and put all your fixings in individual clay pots. Large pots for the main ingredients, small pots for the sauces. Newly purchased clay flower pots work well and are inexpensive. (Remember to fill in the hole at the bottom!)

Our partners at Canadian Living (www.canadianliving.com) have put together a great Mexican meal plan.

Cinco de Mayo celebration menu
• Southwestern Pulled Pork with Pineapple
• Chili Cornmeal Catfish
• Mixed Pepper Rajas
• Herbed Sour Cream
• Pickled Onions and Jalapeños
• Pico de Gallo
• White Chocolate Margarita Mousse

Click here to view all these wonderful recipes!

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Related links:
10 Ways to Make Your Backyard Party-Perfect
Summertime Cocktails
How to Host a Garden Party