It doesn't take much to lure us into an afternoon of salty margaritas and groovy Latin music. So every year when Cinco de Mayo rolls around, we see it as the perfect opportunity to throw a party. So summon your inner Frida Kahlo and put together a festive and colorful celebration that avoids the standard "tourista" chotchkes (e.g. sombreros and piñatas!).
Spice things up with a palette of black and lime, accented by oranges and pinks. Start with colorful dinnerware. CB2's adorable Taro plates tie all the sunny shades together in the most stylish way and are made from durable plastic (perfect for parties!).
Cover a dining or buffet table with a black tablecloth and use colorful lime green runners running crosswise at both ends (rather than running it lengthwise as you normally would). Decorate the table with extra-tall, wide glass vases filled with tiny key limes and small Clementine oranges. Create a luminous centerpiece with scented pillar candles or votives set amidst a bed of pink peppercorns.
Go beyond the usual mound o' nachos and serve up a buffet of foods that offer modern interpretations of Mexican classics. Treat guests to a variety of quesadillas with unique fillings like pear, caramelized onion, and gruyere cheese ... black bean, mango, and bacon ... and turkey and balsamic onion.
Use your imagination to come up with your own inventive combos, or check out some some Yahoo! Food offerings for inspiration. Accompany them with a make-your-own-guac station. Put out a large bowl of basic guacamole (mashed avocados with a spritz of lemon juice) and surround it with small bowls of fixins' -- everything from diced mango to sundried tomatoes, celery, scallions, and yellow pepper. Partygoers will have a blast concocting their own personalized versions.
A platter of sliced grilled chicken or pork, a gigantic bowl of colorful saffron rice, and The World's Simplest Corn Salad (corn, sliced hearts of palm, chopped tomato, and chickpeas, mixed with a light vinaigrette) are all you need to round out the eats.
For dessert, satisfy everyone's diente dulce (sweet tooth) with a trio of iced treats that echo the party's vibrant color scheme -- green (green tea or pistachio), pink (strawberry), and orange (mango). Use a melon-baller to create small scoops and serve them in acrylic martini glasses, garnished with a sugar cookie.
Finally, no Cinco de Mayo would be complete without a salsa-fied soundtrack to get things moving. Create a mix of your favorite Latin artists -- The Gypsy Kings, Julieta Venegas, Buena Vista Social Club, Cesaria Evora, Café Tacuba, and Los Lobos are a few of our faves.
Your friends will have no choice but to vote you la major presentadora (the best hostess) -- so pour yourself a ‘rita, crank up la musica, and celebrate Cinco in style!
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