How to Plan a Mexican Fiesta
Everyone loves a party, and nothing is more festive than a party with a Mexican fiesta theme. Mexican food, music and culture are becoming extremely popular, and it's easy to see why. The food is delicious and simple. The music is great for dancing, and the culture celebrates frugality and using simple things to create a lifestyle that is greater than the sum of its parts. Throwing a Mexican fiesta is a low-stress, budget-conscious way to have a party that all of your friends will enjoy.
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Instructions
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Choose the occasion. There really is no bad time to have a Mexican fiesta, but certain holidays, like Cinco de Mayo, almost require one. Summer is a particularly good time for a Mexican fiesta, since Mexican food, drink and music lend themselves to outdoor partying.
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Consider food and drink. There are endless options here, from casual to fancy. If you are planning an outdoor event, fire up the grill and serve up grilled chicken and steak fajitas, grilled fruit and grilled corn slathered with cilantro butter. If you prefer to cook indoors, quesadillas and tacos are easily prepared on the stove top. For finger foods, offer tortilla chips with a variety of salsas, freshly made guacamole, queso fundido and sour cream, plus Mexican wedding cookies for a little sweet treat. For a sit-down meal, enchiladas or tamales can be elegantly presented with homemade refried beans, rice and sweet plantains. Sangria, margaritas or Mexican cervezas are obvious drink choices, but Mexican hot chocolate or Mexican coffee are great options for colder weather. Aguas frescas, made with watermelon, tamarind or lime are a perfect choice for non-drinkers.
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Select music. No Mexican fiesta would be complete without wonderful Latin music, either as background music or for dancing. Fill your CD player or iPod with songs by your favorite Latin artists, or for a truly special occasion, hire a mariachi band to charm your guests with live music. Either way, make sure to clear a space for dancing, because even if you're not planning a dance party, Latin music is sure to impel your guests to move to the rhythm.
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Plan the activities. If you're planning a Mexican fiesta for kids, buy a piñata and watch them scream with delight. Just make sure you hang it somewhere far away from anything that could be destroyed by an errant swing of the stick. For adults, a chili-pepper eating contest can be fun--just make sure to have plenty of milk on hand to help those who overindulge kill the heat. Also, make sure to include the Mexican Hat Dance on your soundtrack for the evening, and have a dance off--the perfect way to burn a few calories from all that wonderful food.
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Be flexible, creative and have fun. There is no set formula for a great Mexican fiesta, so don't sweat the details. With great friends, food and music, your Mexican fiesta is sure to be a good time no matter how you choose to throw it.
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