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Help me brainstorm a fiesta
I'm thinking of throwing a wedding shower for friends and might do a fiesta theme. (Regulars should gasp at this point that I'm talking about throwing a theme party - took me a week to warm up to the idea 
.) The couple's very laid back and I think they'd like it a bunch - and I know all of our mutual friends would.
I'm feeling strangely compelled to order these and this, and this for all those Coronas. I appear to be overwhelmingly drawn to kitsch all of sudden. I'm scaring myself, truthfully lol. (You guys tell me if I go off the deep end.)
I've never been to a fiesta or a Cinco de Mayo, so tell me what you've seen and loved! 25ish people, probably in late March. You know my house - not enough seating, so the food has to be perch-able. I'm thinking I'd get some or all of the food catered and maybe just do apps and dessert myself.
Here's the main insp pic I'm liking. Don't know how those beer cozies go with it lol
Re: Help me brainstorm a fiesta
you may choose 1 kitsch item, fun and like a favor,
then just go with bright colors like your photo.
I was in the grocery store on my phone when I read this and it made me laugh out loud.
Nooo favors for this chica
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I didn't think of this!
Are you a Friends fan? You know how "Joey doesn't share food?" Tarheels doesn't craft. That $8 for 8 pompoms would be money very well spent in my life lol.
Perfect! I've never had an excuse to do citrus arrangements, though I've always thought it was pretty.
So I wanted to, but I thought it would take the kitsch factor to new, ridiculous heights. And who would get to beat it? The bride? That doesn't seem very fun for the rest of us. What's going to be in it? I am SO not comfortable doing a pinata full of condoms LOL.
I strolled thru the party aisle tonight and WM does have little pinata donkeys just ready to go if I want one.
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Nix the sombreros. I love the little beer things. I'm curious if you have a beer crowd though. I'd rather have a margarita, so something to consider. I love the idea of the citrus arrangements and the fans.
I do think the pinata would be funny to just sit on your side board. I'm trying to think of a way to break it open and put something in it. Hmmm, have her answer questions and she gets a whack each time she's right? Those things are a beast to break though and games are blagh. Plus what you could shove through that little hole that someone would want and wouldn't break. All that said I'd still get the stupid thing because it's cute.
Yeah!!! I love themes - esp. when they make sense from a culinary stand point. What an awesome friend you are! That photo is gorgeous too - you come up with the most beautiful things.
Agree with 6 re: Margaritas. Does someone have one of those Margaritaville machines you could borrow/rent? Those are pretty awesome. (In my perfect world I would get one for my birthday).
Also... Sangria is easy to make ahead in batches and chill. I have a good "White Sangria" recipe but not a red one. I'd go really authentic with a Red Sangria and soak the fruit in brandy. I also have some Mexican and Spanish recipes - but it may make more sense to have it catered - esp. if there is a local restaurant that it really good. Let me know re: recipes once you have your menu figured out.
Re: So I wanted to, but I thought it would take the kitsch factor to new, ridiculous heights. And who would get to beat it? The bride? That doesn't seem very fun for the rest of us. What's going to be in it? I am SO not comfortable doing a pinata full of condoms LOL.
This made me LOL too... but I love kitsch and a little of it is fine for adults - I think. At my daughters' party the adults were all standing around the pinata too...
They do have Pinatas with pull strings BTW - a lot more fun than trying to break it open with a baseball bat... can put adult favors (no condoms LOL). Bead necklaces, wine/beer openers, bracelets, plastic rings, little bottles of booze and some hard candy too - why not? Party City has different sizes and you can put whatever you like in them... that could be a lot of fun and if they are fun loving people they'll get in to it! Be sure to give everyone "treat" bags - even if they are like brown paper lunch sacks - to take their goodies home. (Then you don't need a favor - which I agree are usually junk).
Have fun with all of your planning - was fun reading this.
Oooooh! PLEASE do it! I love all of your ideas (entertaining and decorating), and I am planning a fiesta/Dora party for DD's 2nd bday, bc her bday is Cinco de Mayo! It will be mostly adults, so mostly fiesta, w/ a hint of Dora
I'd love to bounce ideas back and forth with you!
Re: Oooooh! PLEASE do it! I love all of your ideas (entertaining and decorating), and I am planning a fiesta/Dora party for DD's 2nd bday, bc her bday is Cinco de Mayo! It will be mostly adults, so mostly fiesta, w/ a hint of Dora
Oh that sounds very fun too! (My kids are 3 and 4 and both love Dora/Diego).
Let me know if you need the White Sangria recipe... or any others. Would LOVE to see a Mexican/Spanish recipe swap on this board.
If you decide to cook yourself, I suggest the following menu. Its still Fiesta themed but not your typical tacos. I followed it for a Cinco de Mayo party and got SO MANY compliments. All the recipes are from The Family Chef (Jewels & Jill Elmore).
I did change the Porcini Rubbed Chicken for Chicken Ciles Rellenos because they could be made ahead of time. There is no recipe online for them so if you'd like I can post the recipe later. They are Poblano peppers stuffed with chicken and corn... Amazing!
In addition to the menu I did a big thing of Spanish rice for a side dish.
Healthy Festive Menu
In my city, we have a 10day long fiesta so we literally have Fiesta stores. That pretty much makes Fiesta (mid April) a seasonal holiday and gives me a reason to decorate. So... I happen to have 2 little donkey pinatas that I put out just as decor that time of year. It's for fun!
Definitely agree that margaritas are a must and that Sangria is a good suggestion. One other decor idea I'd throw out there is luminaras. You don't need to get overly crafty but you can simply use white paper bags with sand and a tealight (or led to be safe) to line your walkway.
And I can make two tissue poms for a couple bucks and use them mostly as a centerpiece but if you don't like craftiness, then I understand. The big rage on tissue poms is funny because the smaller versions are very typical of Fiesta around here but I do love making the big ones for a party
I read this this morning but didn't have time to respond and thought about whether I have a beer crowd. I've decided I do. Do you remember the Christmas parties from 2010 where I had a dozen bottles of wine leftover after 3 parties?
So I'm weighing whether to do sangria (if I do, it'll be white only - no red near my white upholstery!), but I'll definitely do margaritas. Apparently the bride prefers hers frozen, so I'll see how much it is to rent one of those machines. I talked to the groom and he's a beer guy all the way.
I'll keep thinking on the pinata. I agree I really want to do this over the top and the pinata on the sideboard might make that happen.
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I'm going to call a rental place and see how much they are.
See my response to 6 right above this one. I'll let you know about your white recipe - if I make any, I'll ask for yours.
This list reminded me of one thing - expense. I'm really trying to keep costs down for this party, so maybe a pinata's not the way to go...
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Well, I had emailed a friend of the bride to ask her what she thought/would the bride like it/any conflicts she knew of, and she apparently texted the bride to ask how she felt about it... So, lol, I'm now really officially doing it.
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That sounds wonderful! And I like your substitute - it reminded me I used to make a similar dish. Whether I cook I think will depend on how many people are on the couple's guest list; I told them no more than 30.
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Perfect! And yes, that's my kind of crafting
And yes, I was planning to tell people to take the beer serapes home, but not in a "here's a gift I have planned and made for each of you" sort of way.
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This list reminded me of one thing - expense. I'm really trying to keep costs down for this party, so maybe a pinata's not the way to go...
Oh sure! I get that too... you might be able to find some cute things at the "Dollar Store"... and fill the rest with candy/whatever. Or let it go.
I'm so glad you're doing this event. This board has been my "Happy Place" since the weather turned so cold and... we don't have any snow yet! I miss it! The one day we're predicted to get snow is the day I have to take a train and work in the city this weekend... running all around. can you imagine? Anyways - love reading your posts. Take care.
~W.
Nothing says fiesta to me like the tissue banner things...papel picado? You can get them cheap at party stores, but the link below does custom ones.
http://www.etsy.com/shop/aymujer
Also, do you have a taco truck that could cater? Pull up, serve food, roll away? We went to a party where the hostess had out apps and then about an hour into the party a food truck pulled up and served for about an hour, then they left and she had out dessert. It was super fun!
I love the picture but if you really don't have space do you think the crowd is a beer drinking crowd. I found these and thought they might work for something when you don't have enough seating space. Also a bit more casual as well.
Get a Go Plate Here ? The Perfect Plastic Party Tray! - KegWorks
http://go.tipjunkie.com/pa/1130/www.dana-made-it.com/2011/05/tutorial-color-my-summer-and-cinco-de.html
If you know anyone who sews, or there's always etsy.
I think it would be a fun idea, more fun than the regular boring showers everyone has imo.
Make salsa, so easy. Make it in the blender. I leave out the jalapeno, bc the rotel makes it spicy enough for me.
http://www.browneyedbaker.com/2011/05/03/homemade-restaurant-style-salsa/
Kate - I'm thinking about papel picado and thinking about where/how/whether to use it in my house.
I don't think we have any taco trucks (just a town of 15k).
Lisa - that plate made me laugh, then I thought it was pretty ingenious. I'll consider it.
WA - that tissue paper is so pretty, but I don't sew. I did bookmark the salsa. Whether the salsa is homemade or if I make it from a kit or if I just get it from a restaurant, time will tell
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