We’re committed to offering timely advice for residents of Phoenix apartments, and that means it’s time to start preparing for this year’s Cinco de Mayo festivities. This particular holiday isn’t celebrated very much in Mexico, but it’s a big hit on this side of the border. If you’re looking to throw a Cinco de Mayo party, the following recipe can make your celebration a success on people you want to host, then come up with a list of potential guests. It’s probably safe to assume that some of your guests won’t be able to attend, but you can always invite more later if the attendance is looking low. Make sure your invitations include everything your guests need to know: event name, location (including how to find your apartment unit), date, time, what they should bring, and a general description of what to expect.
If you want to go all out, and money’s not much of an object, send ornate paper invitations. Bright colors and on-theme designs will help people get in the mood even before the big day arrives. This gives them something physical to stick on their refrigerator, so it will serve as a constant reminder that they already have plans for this year’s Cinco de Mayo celebration.
If you want to cut costs, opt for digital invitations instead. There are plenty of great ways to do this thanks to sites like Evite.com, Punchbowl.com, and Facebook. Perfect your digital invitations by choosing from their themes or adding your own pictures. Create a Facebook event, or even use Google Calendars, and your guests will have an easy way to block that day off on their schedule.
Find Cinco de Mayo Decorations
The decorations can help make this party different from any other event. It will help your guests get into the mood, and it’s sure to be a conversation starter. Your friends will be delighted when they see that you’ve gone all out to make your apartment look great for the celebration. Depending on your budget, you have several options for how to decorate.
If you want to save money, look at the dollar store first. Many discount shops will have Cinco de Mayo decorations as the date gets closer, and you still have plenty of options even if they don’t have things specifically for this holiday. Red, white, and green will be your primary colors for this day, so look for paper plates, disposable cups, and plasticware in those colors.
There’s a good chance you’ll even be able to find some inexpensive tablecloths and serving dishes to fit your needs. If you’re crafty enough, you can even make your own piñata. If you don’t want to spend the money on a lot of decorations, ask your guests to dress up in appropriate on-theme outfits. Their clothes will help supplement the decorations have enough money in your budget, you’ll be able to find truly impressive Cinco de Mayo decorations around Phoenix. Pick up some brightly colored serapes (Mexican blankets), and use them as tablecloths and decorations for around your place. Get a few small potted cacti to scatter around your place instead of flowers, and complete the look with piñatas, elaborate Papel Picado banners, and more.
Get the Best Cinco de Mayo Food
The food is one of the most important parts of any Cinco de Mayo party. Your guests are likely to arrive hungry, and they’ll expect some awesome Mexican food. We’ve seen some guests create impressive spreads for their parties, but you don’t necessarily have to blow your budget all on food. Some of the best Cinco de Mayo food keeps it simple, so consider options at a few different price points to find the one that’s right for you.
If you want to save money on food, building your own taco bar will be one of the least expensive options. Think about the way restaurants like Chipotle and Qdoba create their setups, then imitate their options to ensure all your guests will find something they like. Depending on how much time and money you have to spend, you may want to provide several different options for combinations. You can generally think of things in four categories:
- Base – This is what holds all of your other ingredients. You can use hard taco shells, authentic corn tortillas, chips, or even shredded lettuce.
- Protein – Chicken, beans, pork, and beef are all popular options here.
- Vegetables – Sauté some bell peppers and onions for fajita-style veggies.
- Toppings – Salsas, shredded cheese, cilantro, avocado, jalapenos, onions, and even pineapple chunks can all taste great on Mexican food.
If you have plenty of money to spend on food, you can save yourself time in the kitchen by getting your celebration catered. Phoenix is home to a lot of great Mexican restaurants, and you can buy prepared food that will blow your guests away. Tacos, empanadas, and baked goods are all great options if you decide to go this route.
Get the Drinks Flowing
Most people associate Cinco de Mayo with margaritas, so it’s a good idea to include those in some capacity at your party. This can be as simple as some margarita mix, tequila, ice, and a blender. Salt is cheap, and salted rims will help your drinks seem much more sophisticated and authentic. If you have the means, you can even rent a frozen drink machine and pair it with fancy margarita serving glasses. Alternatively, look into some fancy homemade margarita recipes.=ther good drink options include Mexican beers, horchata, good tequila for sipping, Mexican Coke, Jarritos sodas, and more. Look into coolers, and make sure you have lots of ice. We recommend selecting at least a few non-alcoholic options for guests who want to remain sober. Getting all of the drinks lined up for your Cinco de Mayo party can be expensive, especially when they contain alcohol. If stocking the bar is blowing your budget, our last tip can still bail you out…
Ask Your Guests to Contribute
If you’re stressed about the time or budget it will take to plan the perfect Cinco de Mayo party, ask your guests to chip in. You may be surprised by how much your friends want to show off their favorite recipe or some cool decorations. If some guests don’t want to go through much effort, they can still bring some Mexican cervezas or store-bought chips and salsa.
Phoenix Apartments for Hosting Parties
Now that you know how to throw the perfect Cinco de Mayo party, all you need is the right Phoenix apartment in which to host it. Heers Management offers our tenants access to several of the most exciting communities in the area. When you invite your guests to one of our properties, you’ll be able to enjoy well-maintained common areas in addition to your own unit. If you like to host parties regularly, we suggest you look into floor plans with a lot of kitchen and living room space. Contact us today to learn more about all of your options!