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Only one day to prepare a Cinco de Mayo fiesta? Don't stress! Here are a few helpful hints to make your Cinco de Mayo fabulouso without much dinero or tiempo (time).

1. Pinatas are always a fun addition to a Cinco de Mayo party, especially when you have kids around. One suggestion is to have an "adult" pinata full of mini liquor bottles, keychains, and other cheap prizes while one for kids stuffed with candy, toy cars, and other surprises. This is also a good way to get rid of odds and ends around the house. Kids meal toys, garage sale give aways, leftover easter candy, anything is fair game. Pinatas can typically be purchased at Mexican speciality stores or mini markets.

If you have a few spare minutes to make one here is what you will need: balloon, old newspapers, paper mache mix (flour and water), and crepe paper. Dip newspaper strips in mache mix, covering baloon with two to three layers. Be sure to leave a hole at the end so you can add in the goodies! When dry, cover with colorful tissue paper in flower designs (pinch in the middle and paste) or lay down smooth. You can apply the tissue paper to make this simple pinanata to look like: a coconut, a hot air balloon, a funny face, a patch of flowers or let your imagination go. Pop your baloon, stuff it full, and hang it from a tree.

Got some extra spare time? Go for the more authentic look by adding paper cones covered with tissue. Thread long strips of tissue through the top of the pinata, and then attach the cone with glue (or staples if pinata is completely dry).

2. Use extra tissue papers to make a garland of bright colored flowers which can be strung up in trees or in the house. Intertwined with red crepe paper and green or red (or white) little christmas lights can produce an instant festive atmosphere.

3. Have your kids (big or small) draw you a donkey (burro) on a large sheet of paper. Make some fun (and funny) tails with paper, string, or other materials that can make for a hilarious game of pin the tail on the burro.

4. Sombreros, sarapes, and other decorations are nice-if you have them on hand. You have kids paint sarape designs on paper as a pretty (and practical) tablecloth. Add some red and green napkins (leftovers from christmas?) as a tribute to the Mexican flag. Have any space plastic easter eggs you haven't put away? Fill half the egg with rice, tape it closed, glue on some tissue paper in bright red, and you have mini maracas to pass out the the kids.

5. Check some traditional Mexican movie out from library, or do a quick search for free downloads. Check out download.com under Latin music for free downloads from artists like Romanticos de Xalapa. When all else fails, turn the dial on your radio the Latino station and enjoy!

6. One fun adult contest can be to have a hot sauce taste test. Sure to have laughs as mouths say arriba! Muy caliente!

7. Find some cool Mexican designs and print off coloring sheets to keep the kids busy!

8. Take a large piece of cardboard that can easily be propped up. Cut a few larger and smaller holes, and then paint fun designs (including the mexican flag, or mexico). Have kids place a ball toss to win points.

9. Use your computer to make individual place cards or gift bags with Mexican theme pictures.

10. Most important: FOOD! A quick mountain of nachos, with beans, cheese, onions, olives on tortilla chips is always a hit.
Quesadilla, when cut small, make a great appetizer. Also try more traditional dishes like cheese enchallidas (with an egg on top), homemade tortilla chops, or empanadas.

Most importantly, have a good time!

Learn more about this author, E.D. Cameron.
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