Invite friends and family for a lively, colorful celebration of Mexican culture with a fun and festive south-of-the-border party. Simple, flavorful Mexican recipes are ideal for casual entertaining, and these terrific party planning tips make it easy to host a memorable fiesta!

Invitations:
Get everyone excited with colorful, fun invitations!

• Invitations can be purchased or homemade. A great place to look for inexpensive, Spanish-language invitations is a Hispanic grocery store. Check out their decorations, too!


• Feature festive, vibrant colors like bright red, hot pink or sunshine yellow for your invitations. Another great color scheme is the red, green and white, colors of the Mexican flag.


• Homemade invitations can be made on the computer where a variety of Mexican designs and graphics can be found. Or, get creative with construction paper, tissues and even glitter! Think about your decorations and include design elements like chili peppers, cacti or colorful flowers.

Decorating ideas:
Create a fun, high-energy atmosphere with colorful decorations!

• Continue the color scheme you introduced with your invitations with colorful tableware. Disposable paper products are easy, inexpensive, and available in every color of the rainbow.


• An attractive table will draw your guests like a magnet.
  • Use beautiful, colorful Mexican blankets or serapes, a type of Mexican poncho or blanket, as a table covering.
  • Add interest to the table with bowls of fresh tropical fruit like lemons and limes.
  • Small cacti in pots, sombreros or brightly colored maracas are fun and festive decorations. Depending on your budget, these can also be used as party favors.
  • Don't forget the flowers. Whether artificial, potted or cut, flowers draw your guests to the table to enjoy your irresistible food!


• Pinatas add color and excitement. They are available in a wide variety of shapes. Filled with small candies or other tiny gifts, traditional pinatas are hit with a stick until they open. They are now available with strings that guests can pull, one at a time, until the magic string opens the pinata and the treats cascade out.


• Chili pepper decorations are ideal. Light your patio or buffet table with bright red chili-shaped lights for a lively touch.


• Candles give any party a festive glow. Buy them in colors to match the decor, but be careful how they are placed with respect to your paper decorations! Set-out luminaries—small candles in holders that are placed inside paper bags to decorate your walk or patio.

Music:
Lively music is a hallmark of Mexican culture!

• Salsa, guitar music, mariachi or classic Mexican music adds excitement in the background with high energy tempos.


• Even if your repertoire is limited, sing-alongs are very popular and add to the fun. If any of your guests play guitar, be sure they bring it along!

Beverages:
Think icy cold and refreshing for beverages to serve with the hot, spicy food!

• Serve fruit drinks such as ice cold limeade or lemonade in pretty pitchers or, for large crowds, simply put cans of soda or bottled water in large, galvanized tubs filled with ice.


• Traditional Mexican beverages include sweet, fruity sangria and Margaritas — both can be found in non-alcoholic form.


• If your party takes place in a cooler climate or late at night, consider offering Mexican coffee or hot chocolate — served with cinnamon sticks to enhance their flavor.