Cinco de Mayo is a Spanish holiday celebrating the fifth of May. It is honored because it is the day that Mexican Army defeated the French Army, who hadn't lost a battle in over 50 years. The year was 1862, and the Mexican Army lost the war, but not that famous battle. The United States celebrates as much or more than the Mexicans do. They host parades, dancing festivals and music all day and thru the night.

Invite guests to your celebration with a sombrero or margarita glass invitation. A party supply store will have many accessories to a Cinco de Mayo celebration. Paper products like plates and napkins can be purchased to match your theme.

Cinco de Mayo is celebrated with Mexican food and drinks. Serve margaritas, and use virgin ones for the kids and have a toast! Other great food to serve is nachos and dip, burritos, sopapillas, tacos and corn cake. Use traditional Mexican recipes or modify and use American ingredients, which aren't nearly as hot and spicy.

A Mexican festival uses bright colors to decorate. Balloons and streamers in a wide array of rainbow colors lights up any room. Colors usually involve the rainbow spectrum and mix red, orange, yellow, green and blue for everything. Floral garlands can be hun

Other items to add to the ambience include fresh flowers for the ladies hair. Sombreros are wide brimmed hats worn by the men. They can be worn or make up an impromptu dance, mimicking the famous Mexican Hat Dance.

Use plastic bottles and make maracas. Fill the empty container with dried beans and seal tightly with tape or glue. Use markers or crayons to decorate. Shake them and dance the night away! Another Mexican tradition is having a piñata to smack and open. Kids of any age like the candy treats that fall out.