How to Organize a Mexican Fiesta
Although bright colors, upbeat music and spicy food are the common elements of a traditional Mexican fiesta, the most important part is the friendly, carefree atmosphere those elements strive to inspire. Invite your family, friends and neighbors for a truly communal fiesta. At a fiesta there will be dancing, games, drinking and casual dining that promotes community interaction. Instruct your guests to dress in Mexican attire and invite them to contribute a Mexican dish, drink or decoration.
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Instructions
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Decorate for your fiesta using paper crafts such as banners, streamers, centerpieces or piñatas. The décor for a Mexican fiesta largely focuses on creativity in craft making. Besides the woven tablecloth and colorful earthenware, most decorations are specifically made for a fiesta. Flowers made from tissue paper or hanging paper designs called "papel picado," according to Birthday in a Box, are common fiesta decorations. Ropes of lights are often used for decoration and additional lighting at fiestas. Common icons that celebrate Mexico are sombreros, cacti, cowboy boots and conquistadors or bulls. Use the colors of the Mexican flag: red, white and green.
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Select salsa or mariachi music. Consider providing maracas for guests to play along. Consider teaching your guests how to salsa or perform the Mexican hat dance. Dancing the limbo is also popular at fiestas.
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Offer tequila, alcohol made from the Mexican blue agave plant, for margaritas and shots. For an even more interesting fiesta, buy mezcal (agave-derived alcohols) that contains a worm for a lucky party guest or two to eat. According to Tequila Source, Gusano Rojo Mezcal is the best-selling brand of mezcal in Mexico. Beer is another popular drink in Mexico, along with coffee. A common fiesta drink is the "flaming cucaracha bomb," a shot of coffee liquor and tequila set on fire and dropped into a beer for consumption. Also consider using tequila as a food seasoning.
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Offer guests tortilla chips with dips like salsa, guacamole, refried beans or sour cream. Entrées often include enchiladas, tamales and taco buffets. Mole sauce is commonly used in Mexico for meat entrées, especially poultry. Fruit-based sauces are also popular, according to Mex-recipes, and banana leaves are often used as garnishes or serving platters. Bunuelos are a common desert, along with churros, sopapilla cheesecake and desert enchiladas.
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Consider organizing themed activities or arranging an area for an activity such as a dance floor, game table, piñata area or "Pin the Tail on el Burro." Invite guests to arrive early and make decorations or have a table arranged for craft-making throughout the evening. Consider playing a bull-fighting video or Latin music videos on a television or computer.
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Tips & Warnings
Be sure to provide adequate water for guests who enjoy the spicy foods or alcoholic beverages.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit fiesta decoration image by kubais from Fotolia.com
