This celebration has become very popular globally and it’s common to find parades and feasts to honor the victory of the Mexican army over the French invasion in 1862. Add some Cinco De Mayo style to your May 5th celebration.

Invitations
Check out the links below for free Cinco de Mayo clipart to use for invitations, place cards and food labels.

Foto Search
http://www.fotosearch.com/clip-art/cinco-de-mayo.html
Clip Art and Crafts
http://www.graphicsfactory.com/search/Cinco%20de%20Mayo_P1.html
Holiday Clip Art
http://www.graphicsfactory.com/search/Cinco%20de%20Mayo_P1.html

Dress
Colorful serapes (a shawl-like wrap), ponchos, white pants, shirts. Flowing skirts and sandals. Big colorful earrings and lots of bracelets.

Decorations
You can find the following decorations at craft and party supply stores or online. Mexican markets and restaurants are also good sources.

Colorful lantern and pom poms
Maracas
Piñatas
Sombreros (mini sombreros would make great place card holders!)
Balloons in red, white, and green
Mexican flags
Red, white, and green votive candles in mini flower pot containers

Activities
Pinata
Dance off with Mariachi music
Freeze tag is a good energy burner for the kids
Bean bag toss

Menu
A buffet is in order with this celebration. Most people have a few favorite Mexican dishes in their stash , and this is the perfect time to bring them out. Do your best to make your menus as authentic as possible.

Guacamole and Chips
Chicken Enchiladas
Black Bean Refried Beans with Red Peppers
Spanish Rice
Strawberries and Cream Cheese Dessert Shells (recipe below)
Imported and Domestic Beers
Beer Margaritas

Beer Margaritas
12 oz can frozen limeade, thawed
2 bottles light beer
12 oz tequila
1 fresh lime, cut up

In a large chilled pitcher and thawed limeade and tequila. Stir until will blended, and resist the urge to taste. Add the 2 light beers slowly and mix lightly. This drink is made more festive by serving in margarita glasses but will taste just as good in a paper cup. Serve with ice and pieces of lime if desired. Salted or sugared rim optional.

Strawberries and Cream Cheese Dessert Shells
Strawberries, sliced
8 oz Cool Whip, thawed
3 oz Cream Cheese, softened
1 tsp vanilla extract
Blackberries, optional
1 tsp chopped Macadamia Nuts
1 ½ tsp Chocolate Ganache, thinned or Chocolate Syrup
2 Aztec Tortillas Salad Shells, baked and cooled

In a small bowl with electric mixer, blend Cool Whip, cream cheese and vanilla until thoroughly combined. Set aside. Wash strawberries, remove caps, pat dry with a paper towel and slice. If using blackberries or any other fruit, rinse them as well and pat dry with a paper towel. Spoon or pipe cream cheese mixture into the cool tortilla shells. Add strawberries and other fruits in any pattern that pleases you. Garnish with thinned chocolate ganache and sprinkle with chopped Macadamia Nuts. The flavor combinations are endless with this.


Sombrero Cooler from Amazon.com