Cinco de Mayo brings to you the opportunity to gorge on Mexican dishes, enjoy the day and music, and dive into the culture and history of this significant day.
While you might have had the chance to go out and have a major celebration on the 5th of May until 2019, things are unfortunately a bit different since last year. The COVID-19 pandemic has made it difficult to have large-scale gatherings. While things have eased down a little, it’s still important to maintain social distancing while celebrating the festival.
But that shouldn’t come in the way of your celebration, should it? Guess what — you can still have a lot of fun even while maintaining social distancing. So, to help you plan your next Cinco de Mayo, here’s a comprehensive guide.
Go Virtual
While it may not be possible to meet up with your buddies and family for Cinco de Mayo physically, it definitely is possible virtually. Thanks to the numerous platforms out there like Teams, Zoom, or Google Meet, you can seamlessly have a group video call with all your favorite people right from the comfort of your home.
To make the video calls even more fun, you can create a customized background and use those on your video. But hey, why stop there? Let’s liven up the party, and make it feel really festive.
Decorate Your Home
Put up some fun Mexican-style decorations to really give your festivities an extra boost. You can make piñatas for the kids and use the Mexican flag colors (green, white, and red) everywhere else! And don’t stop there. For some extra fun put on some traditional Mexican music and learn the dance. This can only lead to some silly and wonderful memories.
Liven Up the Party with the Ultimate Playlist
Although many think this much celebrated date is just about partying and good food, it actually commemorates the Mexican army’s unlikely victory over French forces at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. And while Cinco de Mayo is not Mexican Independence (celebrated on September 16), here in the U.S. – a melting pot of cultures and traditions – it’s celebrated with just as much enthusiasm, even while in a global pandemic.
So, what are you waiting for?! Pour yourself a glass of liquid courage, throw on a sombrero, grab your maracas, and show off your best dance moves with this Latin and Mexican-American inspired playlist.
• “Cielito Lindo” — Mariachi Vargas
• “El Último Adiós” — Paulina Rubio
• “El Noa Noa” — Juan Gabriel
• “Amor a la Mexicana” — Thalia
• “Parrandera, Rebelde y Atrevida” — Jenni Rivera
• “El Rey” — Vicente Fernandez
• “Clavado en un Bar” — Maná
• “México Lindo” — Alejandro Fernandez
• “México en la Piel” — Luis Miguel
• “Botella Tras Botella” — Gera MX & Christian Nodal
• “Botellita de Tequila” — Pepe Aguilar
• “Jefe de Jefes” — Los Tigres del Norte
• “Mi Ranchito” — Roberto Tapia
• “La Bamba” — Ritchie Valens
• “Amor Prohibido” – Selena
• Viva Mexico” – Lucero
• “La Venia Bendita” — Marco Antonio Solís
• “Hasta la Raiz” — Natalia Lafourcade
• “Quédate Con Ella” — Natalia Jimenez
• “Tragos Amargos” — Ramón Ayala
Forget the Tex-Mex, we want the real stuff!
No Cinco de Mayo party is ever complete without the addition of some lip-smacking food and drinks. For this special occasion look up some authentic Mexican food recipes like Chiles Rellenos. These peppers are stuffed with veggies, meat, and cheese and then covered with a flaky crust. Make this tasty dish and more for a bona fide Mexican feast!
Whip up a traditional Mexican cocktail to quench your thirst. The Paloma is easy enough to make using only tequila, lime juice, and grapefruit soda. Yum!
And, don’t forget to stop by your nearest ALON or DK store to stock up on ice, chips, and your favorite beverages to help you stock up for the occasion.
Final Thoughts
Cinco de Mayo is an important festival that celebrates the military victory in the Battle of Puebla over the French forces. Today, Cinco de Mayo is often celebrated with a lot of festive fervor in the United States. But margaritas and takeout Tex-Mex aside, it’s important to be cognizant of the ongoing pandemic, and the health and safety of yourself and those around you. So, how do we celebrate Cinco De Mayo the right way?
Learn about it!
While it’s easy for many of us to want to celebrate this day poolside or partying with friends or family, it’s important to be respectful, and remember the significance of this day in history. Plus you can wow your friends with all your new knowledge!