Fiesta! Part I
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Fiesta! Mexican Theme Party Ideas
Get out your huaraches and peasant shirts and blouses 'cause it's Fiesta Time!
Let's start with the food. Everybody loves Mexican party food. Of course, what we call dinner fare they often call snacks. Here are a few great snacks, and Mexican drinks.
Mexican Party Food Recipes
Dips and appetizers can carry the party, if you like, or act as starters before the main meal. The larger the crowd, the greater the variety.Beverages
Start your guests off with Sangria or Sangria Punch, Margaritas, or even Mojitos.
Then point them in the direction of...
Appetizers and Dips
Serve an avocado-based dip, naturally, like Spicy Guacamole Dip or the cooler-on-the-tongue Avocado Dip, or the attractive and muy popular 7 Layer Dip. All pair well with Black Bean Dip.
Shrimp Ceviche has its own category because it can be appetizer, salad or main course. Very classy, too.
Warm things up a bit with a Mexican Cheese Fondue served with meatballs and rolled tortillas or Super Nachos, the goodie-layered universal favorite. Both of these delicious Mexican recipes double as starter and main dish.
And speaking of Main Dishes...
A make-your-own-taco bar is the most practical arrangement for a large Mexican theme party, but when you can swing it serve hot, freshly prepared Beef Tacos with Chunky Guacamole or our tricked out Gourmet Fish Tacos. Tacos and Chile Rellenos are a great combo; guests love it.
Taco Salad is a nice main dish also, but don't serve it with tacos; it's redundant.
Sides
Mexican food would not be complete without beans, rice and Salsa on the side. But you can add some "wow" and satisfy the "hot and spicy" lovers with Jalapeno Hushpuppies or kicky little Armadillo Eggs.
Desserts:
Top off the meal with Flan, the classic, churros or sopapillas.
Fiesta Decoration, Invitations, and Music Ideas
- Use bright Latin colors. Oranges and reds, pinks and yellows, and lime green are appropriate.
- Hang the traditional celebration banner flags; they're inexpensive, effective, and authentic.
- Piñatas are both decoration and entertainment; hang at least one.
- Use terra cotta pots liberally. Lined with plastic wrap, they make excellent serving dishes. And they're a natural for holding lots of bright paper flowers which you can purchase or you can make yourself.
- How to Make Tissue Paper Flowers, Giant Size Version: For each flower, stack 6-10 full sheets of tissue paper, either of one bright color or several colors alternately, and fold them accordion-style. Round the ends with scissors, popsicle-stick shape. Now pinch the middle of the accordion and secure it with florists' wire. The wire serves as the stem, which you can wrap in green florists' tape, if you like. Carefully separate the sheets of tissue, bringing the side edges together to form a multi-layered flower.
Smaller flowers can be crafted using fewer and smaller sheets of tissue, and securing them with a pipe cleaner.
- How to Make Tissue Paper Flowers, Giant Size Version: For each flower, stack 6-10 full sheets of tissue paper, either of one bright color or several colors alternately, and fold them accordion-style. Round the ends with scissors, popsicle-stick shape. Now pinch the middle of the accordion and secure it with florists' wire. The wire serves as the stem, which you can wrap in green florists' tape, if you like. Carefully separate the sheets of tissue, bringing the side edges together to form a multi-layered flower.
- For lighting, string colored lanterns or chili pepper lights, and arrange clusters of candles.
- Decorate the walls, indoors or out, with maps of Mexico or travel posters, serapes, lace scarves, sombreros, vintage south-of-the-border costumes, or large fans.
- Mexican retro-style postcards make wonderful invitations, as do the 'margarita' invitations pictured.
- If a Mariachi or Salsa band is out of the question, you can always find the music on disk.
One of the great things about a Mexican theme party is that laid-back quality of it, especially after a margarita or two.
Enjoy Fiesta! Part II : Tequila and Tequila Drink Recipes.
Liane
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