Cinco de Mayo Celebration

Wondering what is Cinco de Mayo? - or how to celebrate it?

What is Cinco de Mayo?

What does Cinco de Mayo mean?

Well, you may have already guessed it, it's the 5th of May!

Learn a little more about this Mexican holiday which is not , as some people think, the Mexican celebration of independence...

The History of Cinco de Mayo

By Gail Leino

Bring the southwestern feeling to your home by having a fiesta for Cinco de Mayo. It is a Mexican holiday. It has been celebrated since 1862 when the smaller, less modern army of Mexico defeated the larger, more powerful French army at the Battle of Puebla.

Friends and family members wil love to get together to celebrate this festive holiday. Write on the invitation for guests to break out their Mexican fatigues. Sombreros, serapes, ponchos and bandannas are the perfect party gear for your guests to wear.

How to Celebrate Cinco de Mayo

Cinco de Mayo Food

Offer an array of authentic Mexican dishes to appease the appetites of all who come to your fiesta. Enchiladas, tacos, salsa, guacamole, and queso dip are a few of the tasty dishes you might consider. Don't forget to accompany these delightful entrees with a few traditional Mexican beverages.

Cinco de Mayo Decorations

Use stunning colored lights in a variety of shapes including cactus and red chili peppers for your fiesta. No fiesta ceiling would be complete without a few paper lanterns in an array of sparkling and traditional colors. Use cutouts of cactus or howling coyote silhouettes for wall decorations.

For younger guests to be able to relish in the traditions of a Cinco de Mayo celebration, incorporate a piñata into the festivities. Use a traditional seven pointed star shape or the shape of the horse piñata. Children of all ages will be excited in taking a swing at this popular party game in hopes that they would be the one to spill the treasures that are carefully contained inside.

With all of your careful planning and a few of your great ideas brought to life, your Cinco de Mayo fiesta is sure to be a party that will be remembered and appreciated for many years to come.

Mrs. Party... Gail Leino is the internet's leading authority on selecting the best possible party supplies, using proper etiquette and manners while also teaching organizational skills and fun facts. Free Party Games to help complete your event.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gail_Leino

If you are thinking of celebrating this Mexican holiday, here's some activities, and party ideas

3 Great Cinco de Mayo Party Ideas

By Gail Leino

Cinco de Mayo is a celebration of Mexico's Independence from France back in the 1800's. You can celebrate this occasion by adding a revolutionary flair to your party. Invite guests to come dressed as their favored historical figures from the Mexican Revolutionary War. You can fly the Mexican flag and use the colors in your decorating theme with streamers, napkins, lanterns and even tablecloths. You might even track down and play some old Mexican music or music about the revolution to play.

The Cinco de Mayo celebration is traditionally loud and raucous. You can add to that with noisemakers and fireworks. Though you may wish to hold your party somewhere without a lot of neighbors to annoy or else make the decision to end the party at an appropriate time. In place of fireworks you can also give the kids sparklers and snaps in order to entertain themselves. Or set up the always popular Piñata for the guests to take turns swinging at. It should be more than enough to get your party going.

Instead of throwing a loud party for this holiday you can use as a chance to explore Mexican culture and history. Invite a small group of friends to go to a Mexican cultural center or museum in your area. Then for lunch you can go to a Mexican restaurant to eat. If you decide to stay home rent a movie about the Mexican Revolution for your guests. Or play some music from Mexico and serve up real traditional Mexican foods, not the Americanized versions we have here. Coconut Flan is a popular dessert, or serve up some Chocolate Atole for your guests. This is a hearty beverage with chocolate and corn flour traditionally served at breakfast. You can ask little trivia questions of the kids throughout the party in exchange for candy.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gail_Leino

Cinco de Mayo, La Batalla

The movie Cinco de Mayo, La Batalla chronicles the story of Mexico's Battle of Puebla, the most important battle of Mexico's history. When the unbeatable French army invades Mexico to set up a monarchy, General Ignacio Zaragoza must defend the city of Puebla, commanding a poorly armed and outnumbered troop of men.