May the fifth is tomorrow! That means the biggest American-adapted Mexican day of celebration falls on a weekend day. Naturally, it’s just an excuse to drink margaritas and eat tacos here in the US, but it might also mean feeling a major case of the ‘itis from chips-n-guac overload… and looking for a ride home after tossing back a couple too many. How about throwing a shindig at home instead? Here are 5 fun ways to bring Cinco de Mayo home! 


Get a piñata. Well, there are those lovely piñata cookies you’ll see in the first photo. Here’s a link to the video, but I’ll warn you — they’re advanced. Like, I’ll-just-eat-cookies-and-M&M’s-and-use-my-imagination advanced. Better yet, though, just get a real piñata. My favorite in recent years was filled with tiny bottles of liquor (sounds indulgent, but it’s just one per person usually), but you can do it the old fashioned way, too. You’re never too old to whack a decorated box with a stick until candy comes out.


Get fancy with your margaritas. Um, yeah those are cucumber-lime margarita jell-o shots above. Gorgeous, right? I mean, you would have had them anyway, but at home you can get creative. Here’s a link back to my blood orange margaritas, but Pinterest is full of inventive ideas. Invite some friends over — and spring for the nice bottle of tequila to save yourselves the hangover. And if you’re not the liquor type, Mexican beer is one of my favorites. Just make sure you get some limes!

Grill out. Nothing says regret like passing out at 8 pm after loading up on greasy tacos all day. So get some shrimp, veggies, or veggie-meat and grill some flavor into your taco fixin’s. Use worcestershire sauce and garlic or a citrus marinade to bring meaty flavor into anything you make. You have to soak those margaritas up with something, but it doesn’t have to be soggy, over-seasoned beef. Make some fresh pico de gallo and salsas for the tacos and dine al fresco. Lovely.

Have outdoor activities nearby. You’re already grilling out, and you’re probably consuming a lot of calories. How about keeping your guests (even if there are just a few) on their feet with a game of bocci ball? It’s not about breaking a sweat, necessarily. It’s just about moving around, and preventing a food coma.

Get creative. Traditional decorations for Cinco are usually just made of colored paper. There are all kinds of inexpensive ways to get festive, and decorations are just the beginning. There’s always a themed dessert or a party favor right around the corner in this wonderful world of creativity called the Internet. Spring is all about happy, bright colors — start there and you can’t really go wrong. So, if you’re feeling motivated, let yourself get carried away!
I love having friends over and throwing a party at home. Having just the crowd you want is a great way to spend an otherwise drunken-with-crowds holiday, and you can have it as big or as small as you want. If the thought of throwing a huge soiree sounds daunting, maybe have a potluck. Ask your guests to bring the booze if you provide food, or vice versa.

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