Bring the southwestern feeling to your home by having a fiesta for Cinco de Mayo. Cinco de Mayo is a Mexican holiday. It has been celebrated since 1862 when the smaller less modern army of Mexico defeated the larger more powerful French army at the Battle of Puebla.

Friends and Family members will love to get together to celebrate this festive holiday. Write on the invitation for guests to break out their Mexican fatigues. Sombreros, serapes, ponchos and bandannas are the perfect party gear for your guests to wear.

Offer an array of authentic Mexican dishes to appease the appetites of all who come to your fiesta. Enchiladas, tacos, salsa, guacamole, and queso dip are a few of the tasty dishes you might consider. Don't forget to accompany these delightful entrees with a few traditional Mexican beverages.

Use stunning colored lights in a variety of shapes including cactus and red chili peppers for your Cinco de Mayo fiesta. No fiesta ceiling would be complete without a few paper lanterns in an array of sparkling and traditional colors. Use cutouts of cactus or howling coyote silhouettes for wall decorations.

For younger guests to be able to relish in the traditions of a Cinco de Mayo celebration, incorporate a piata into the festivities. Use a traditional seven pointed star shape or the shape of the horse piata. Children of all ages will be excited in taking a swing at this popular party game in hopes that they would be the one to spill the treasures that are carefully contained inside.

With all of your careful planning and a few of your great ideas brought to life, your Cinco de Mayo fiesta is sure to be a party that will be remembered and appreciated for many years to come.