“Lighting up the Night” to Celebrate Cinco de Mayo!!!

As some of you who have seen my Halloween Skeleton posts may already know, I have always been a “holiday person” but that increased during the COVID quarantine, when I started the skeleton scenes in October and then added outdoor decorations for various holidays to entertain the many neighbors who walked past our house each day.

For holidays besides Halloween, I usually start with an inflatable and am trying to add a new item each year. I had not done Cinco de Mayo outdoor decorations in other years, because I had not seen an inflatable that I really liked. However, this year I am so excited to find a Piñata inflatable at Amazon. After I found that, I also found some Papel picado (banners with cut outs) and a “Fiesta Banner to hang up, both in a set of outdoor decorations at Party City. These banners are made of plastic so I’m hoping they would do well outside.

2023 Update on Fiesta banner -It was so hot this year, that the plastic melted and adhered to the windows. I was able to get the plastic off the windows, but I’m looking for something different for the windows next year.

Although this is “low key” compared to the skeletons, the neighbors seem to enjoy it, and our family really enjoys celebrating each holiday to the fullest. I believe that one thing Covid 19 taught us, is that we need to enjoy each day, find something to appreciate each day, and something to celebrate whenever we can.

In all my outdoor decorations, I have used LED floodlights and the Orchestra of Lights C-9 light strings (Gemmy lights from Lowes that require a hub to work). These can be set to different color combinations and effects with an app on your phone – so I leave them up all year, using them for each holiday, and using white lights in between holidays. As this “technical” information is the same on all me “Light up the Night” Posts – I will put it in its own section so that you can bypass it easily if you have read one of these other posts.

UPDATE and WARNING

On Orchestra of Lights (March 2023) I just wanted to let you know that I used the orchestra of light products with very few problems for 3 years, and then when I set “green” or “St. Patrick’s Day” on the Orchestra of Lights app, it would change to the colors I picked initially but within 1-12 hours it would revert to Christmas (which was most definitely NOT the colors I wanted in March). We hypothisize that something is now imcompatible, most likely having to do with wifi. We are unsure whether it is power bleps, or internet service bleps, that throw it all off. If it would revert to all white lights when it malfunctions, that would be better, but always it reverts to Christmas. Because of this I can no longer recommend Orchestra of Lights. 

So below, I will show you what the lights used to do – colors, preset holidays, and special effects. I am going to give the lights one last try in the next few months to see if things improve when we change internet providers. Please, Please, Please – if you happen to have had experience with another brand of lights, that work in a similar way but without “dropping” their programming for colors, please let me know the brand you have had success with – in the comments. I would love to know what brand and product to check out, when making my new choice, because I really have loved the ease of pressing a button to change the color and effects of the lights. But in the meantime – these are the things I like about programable lights.

For this Cinco de Mayo display I selected the preset color called “Multicolor” and the effect called “Starry Night” on the Orchestra of Lights app on my phone.

The flood lights I chose for this post are either Philips from Home Depot or Blue-X from Amazon depending on the color needed.

Flood Lights 

I also use flood lights in my display. I use them to flood the garage/front yard wall with seasonal color that coordinates with my inflatables and any other yard decorations. I also use yellow flood lights to light up the inflatable. I use “yellow bulbs” rather than white, to light up the inflatable as yellow seems to attract less insects. 

Wishing you a Wonderful Cinco de Mayo !!!!!!

Details and Origins 

My former lights were – Orchestra of Lights – C-9 strings and hub – in 2022 this was exclusive to Lowes. Not sure if or where it will be available in 2024. It is made by Gemmy. However, due to the problems with these lights dropping their programming, I am in the process of looking for another brand of lights that will work with our internet provider.

Because of the problem with Orchestra of lights I can no longer recommend the brand. I will update this post when I have found a replacement. However, I hope you enjoy the inflatable and the flood lights, as they are working perfectly!!!

LED Floodlights base – Lowes Floodlight fixture

Yellow floodlight bulb LED – Home Depot-for exterior lighting of the inflatables themselves (they may also be lighted internally)  yellow is recommended over white for this as it attract less insects 

Pink Floodlight LED bulb – Amazon

Inflatable Piñata – Joiedomi Cinco De Mayo Inflatable Decorations – Amazon – Currrently out of stock, but will hopefully be in stock next year

Papel picado (banners with cut outs) and a “Fiesta Banner – Party City

If you enjoyed this Cinco de Mayo post, you may also enjoy my Cinco de Mayo Tablescapes

Hola!!! Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse & Friends Celebrate Cinco de Mayo!!!

‘¡Hola! ¡Bienvenido!’ to Our “Cinco de Mayo” Table

and you may also enjoy my other “Light up the Night” Posts

If you enjoy outdoor decorations you may enjoy the following skeletons posts

Choosing a World for your Skeletons – “Hair-Raising” or “Happy”?

“Link Parties”

Following is a list of websites I really like!  They are listed under the day of the week where they also host a Family Friendly “Link Parties” aka “Blog Hops”.

If you click on the name of the blog (in blue) on the evening of the day of the week they are listed under, it should take you to the Link Party, where many bloggers have joined with them to share their own ideas.  I love how the link parties connect you with both a great blog, and other blogger’s ideas as well!  Many thanks to all these bloggers for bringing so many ideas to all of us!!! 

You can actually find these link parties any day of the week, by clicking on the website name below, but once you click, you may need to scroll thru a few entries to find the link party you are looking for. 

Sunday 

Life as a Leo wife (Nikki), Eclectic Red Barn (Beverly),  Décor Craft Design (Mel) ,A Labour of Life (Linda),  Ducks ‘n a Row (Sinea),  Love My Messy Messy Mess (Katie)   host “Happiness is Homemade” Link Party.  I love checking out the home decor, holiday decorations and current projects of all the hostesses as well as the ideas from their link party ! 

Life and Linda hosts “Love Your Creativity Link Party”.  I love checking out Linda’s gorgeous holiday decorations and tablescapes, and her chandelier decorations are a beautiful finishing touch!!

The House on Silverado  hosts – “Sundays on Silverado” link party. I am fairly new to Niky’s site but am loving her holiday decorating and her new grandma stories!!

Ridge Haven Homestead  – “Sunday Sunshine” Blog Hop.  In addition to the blog hop, I am enjoying reading about Laurie’s homestead, the “off the grid” lifestyle they are living and the cabin they are building. 

April J Harris – hosts Hearth and Soul Link Party monthly on the first Sunday of the month. I am enjoying reading about April’s traveling adventures, as well as her projects at home!  

Monday

Life Tales Books Blogspot  hosts Will Blog for Comments Link Party. Jennifer is a Photos and Story Treasures Consultant, and I am enjoying her ideas on photos and memory books, as well as her link party!  

Holly-Pink Lady(Holly) and Sunshine and books blog (Sarah) host “Hello Monday Link Party”. In addition to the link party, I am enjoying Sarah’s book recommendations, and Holly’s recipes and party ideas.  

Between Naps on the Porch hosts  “Metamorphosis Monday” posts, which are all about “Befores and Afters”. I love seeing Susan’s amazing home projects which are very inspiring!! I always come away with some great ideas from her posts and from those who have linked up!! 

The following link, Senior Salon Pit Stop will get you to the link party on Esme’s site as well as getting you to some great recipes and other ideas!

Charlene at A Pinch of Joy hosts “Busy Mondays”. Charlene’s website is all about home decorating, and holiday decorations and recipes. The first two things are things I love to do and the Recipes are things I like to eat!

Good random fun blogspot hosts The Good.Random.Fun. link party  Tamar’s website has some great photography, interesting places to visit, and thoughts on many things. Recently, I enjoyed reading about Hanukkah celebrations! 

Beverly at Eclectic Red Barn, Nicky at  Life as a Leo Wife, Michelle at  Moms are frugal and a few other hostesses host “You’re the Star Blog Hop” I love checking out these websites and the link party for holiday decor, crafts, money saving ideas and tablescapes. 

Tuesday

A Stroll Thru Life   hosts  the “Inspire me Tuesday” link party. Marty has an eye for design and decorating, and turning your house into a home. I always enjoy reading about her projects. 

Eclectic Red Barn (Beverly)  and Penny’s Passion (Penny) host the “Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop” which often opens on Tuesday evenings. I have enjoyed Beverly’s Red Barn project and her projects and decorating . Penny’s website has both projects and recipes I have enjoyed reading about – and more – see “Thinking Out Loud” under “Thursday” in this list. 

Jenerally Informed  hosts the “Happy Now Link Party”. Jen from Jenerally informed and Leslie from playmates to parties host “happy now” which brings many craft and decorating ideas and recipes for fun holiday foods. 

Perfectly Imperfect-LWL hosts the “Tell It To Me Tuesday Link Party” which brings many decorating ideas, recipes, and ideas for family activities. 

Kim and Cassie from Lou Lou Girls host the the “Fabulous Party”. Lou Lou Girls post unique recipes, family activities, DIY and party ideas! 

Marci at Stone Cottage Adventures hosts “Tuesdays with a Twist”. Marci posts on gardening, sewing, recipes, crafts and books! Marci’s link party contains many other fun ideas as well. 

My Wee Abode (Julie) hosts the “Tuesday Turn About” Link Party. Julie is turning her small home into a charming coastal farmhouse home. Her website and link party include great home decorating, DIY, craft projects and recipes.

Wednesday

Karin’s Kottage hosts the “Karin’s Kottage Link party”.  I am also enjoying keeping up with Karin’s Italian Palace remodel! as well as her decorating ideas, crafts, grandchild activities and home projects. 

French Ethereal hosts a “Share Your Style”  link party where decorating, recipes, fashion, tablescape styles are all shared. 

Esme Salon recently began hosting a “Wordless Wednesday” photography link party – I can’t wait to link up!

Creatively Beth  hosts the “Creatively Crafty” Link Party. Beth’s website contains wonderful craft posts, including amazing up-cycle, from scratch, and Dollar Store Crafts. Beth’s link party contains a variety of family friendly posts including recipes, crafts, and holiday decor. 

Ridge Haven Homestead hosts the Homestead Blog Hop.  I am also enjoying reading about the off the grid home that Laurie and her family are building. 

Karin at Fifth Sparrow No More, hosts “Whimsy Home Link Party”. Karin posts about Finding the Beauty – in decorating, travel and faith and family! 

Cecelia at My Thrift Store Addiction hosts “Vintage Charm” link party. What Cecelia does with her thrift store finds is so creative!

Lydia at  Pandora and Max hosts the “All Seasons” Link Party. Lydia’s recent blog entry was all about her trip – and the sunsets are a “must see” – fabulous!

Thursdays

I often participate in Between Naps on the Porch Tablescape Thursday. I have been following Susan for quite a long time, and absolutely love her Tablescapes!!! I also love the ideas shared on her Tablescape Thursday link party! 

Katherine’s corner hosts the  “TFT – Thursday Favorite Things” blog hop.  I love the assortment of wonderful decorating, recipe, tablescape, and inspirational ideas found here. 

Southern Sunflowers   hosts their “Home Matters Link Party” at 8 CT on Thursday.  I have really enjoyed linking to their link party and the various decorating, recipe, tablescape and craft ideas found on this website and their “Home Matters” Link Party. 

Penny’s Passion  hosts the “Thinking Out Loud Link Party” which often begins on Thursday. Thinking out Loud is a great post published each Thursday, and covers many interesting topics. Today the topic was “elf on the shelf – for empty nesters” and I love the traditions Penny has started in her home. So cute!

Roentare.zenfolio blog hosts a photography link party each week.  The photography is absolutely gorgeous, as are the places he and his wife photograph! 

Good Random Fun  hosts the “Little Things” link party, which I enjoy. Its a place for sharing and reading about lots of different topics and ideas. 

Marsha in the Middle and Melynda, from Scratch Made Food for Hungry People, and Lisa, from Boondock Ramblings host “Weekend Traffic Jam” which goes live on Thursday at 8:30 pm CT. Marsha posts about Fashion and the link party contains holiday decorations, fashion, and recipes (to name a few of the family friendly links). 

Friday

Stephanie at Crazy Little Lovebirds hosts the “Crazy Little Lovebirds link party.” It is a gathering for home decor ideas, recipes, tablescapes, reflections, etc. I am enjoying being a part fo this group. 

Building Our Hive hosts the “Funtastic Friday” Link Party which includes recipes, home decor, tablescapes, crafts, travel and other family friendly posts. 

Cindy at County Road 407  hosts the “Farmhouse Friday” Link Party, which begins at 6:30 am CT each Friday and features home decor – all styles; holiday decorating, tablescapes, crafts, etc. 

Andrea at The Cottage Market hosts “A Morning Cup of Joe” link party. Both the website and the link party feature DIY projects, Recipes, home decor, crafts and holiday decorations. 

Erika at A Little Bit of Everything and Andrea at Momfessionals, host “Friday Favorites”. Both websites and the link party feature family activities, home decor, fashion, entertaining, recipes, and holiday decorations and traditions. 

At Lou Lou Girls Kim, Cassie and Amber bring lots of good recipes and family activities to us and also host “Fabulous Friday” a link party that brings us recipes, holiday decor, family activities and many other family friendly ideas! 

Saturday

Pieced Pastimes  Hosts “Saturday Sparks Party”  which includes home decors, recipes and holiday fun foods, tablescapes, crafts, etc. Among the many things I appreciate at Pieced Pastimes is the first picture of many posts, where Suzanne shows her current view at home (in New Hampshire) I love her wonderful view in all weather!

Comments

Your comments mean the world to me. I would love it if you could leave a comment about this post, and/or about your Cinco de Mayo plans or traditions. Also, if you happen to have had a positive experience with any programmable lights, I would love it if your would give me advice as to what to try next. Thanks so much! The comment section is at the very bottom of this post.

Wishing You a Very Happy Cinco de Mayo !!!! Thanks so much for joining me for my outdoor Cinco de Mayo Decorations!!!