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

‘¡Hola! ¡Bienvenido!’ – Hello and Welcome to our Traditional Cinco de Mayo Tablescape featuring real Piñatas, many Mexican decorations and a planned fajita, guacamole, and sopapilla dinner!

Cinco de Mayo History and Celebrations 

Cinco de Mayo is the official anniversary of Mexico’s victory over France on May 5th 1862. However, over time, outside of Mexico, the Cinco de Mayo anniversary has come to be more of a celebration of Mexican Culture, Heritage, Traditions and Cuisine rather than just a celebration of the victory in 1862. The World’s largest celebrations of Cinco de Mayo are in Los Angeles, Chicago, and Houston. Cinco de Mayo brings many celebrations here in the U.S. and is enjoyed by those of Mexican heritage as well as by those of other cultures. For me, it seems like a wonderful holiday to celebrate with its very own tablescape and food!! For more information on the holiday you may enjoy these articles from Edarabia and Wikipedia.

Does your city celebrate Cinco de Mayo? If not, do some of your Mexican restaurants have special events? I’d love to hear about your city’s celebrations. Please take a minute to comment about them in the comment section at the very bottom of this post.

From Midwestern Food to Mexican Food

I met my husband in Ohio after he was transferred from his company’s Houston office. As he had grown up in a small town in southern Texas, he considered eating Mexican food to be a necessity at least once or twice a week, so some of our first dates centered around exposing me to Mexican food. Although its hard to believe now, we only had one major Mexican restaurant near Cleveland at that time (1986) and that restaurant was Chi Chi’s) . My first Mexican dinner included a Quesadilla (folded tortilla with cheese inside) but I quickly turned to beef fajitas as my favorite Mexican meal. However, it wasn’t until we moved to Texas that I ate guacamole – green food just didn’t seem right – but now I love it and Wayne makes it at home often.

In Texas, we have a huge choice of Mexican restaurants, but my all time favorite is Guadalajara (aka Guadalajara Hacienda in Texas – Austin, Houston, The Woodlands) . They are my #1 for their tender beef fajita’s cooked just the way you want them, their white queso, delicious salsa, homemade chips and tortillas, great servers and wonderful atmosphere, both inside and outside.

Cinco de Mayo Dishes and Place Settings

When we moved to Texas in 1989 I was introduced to many Cinco de Mayo traditions and many Mexican restaurants – which I loved. So about 7 years ago I decided we needed some Mexican style dinnerware – both for some of our dinners that include Mexican food and also for Cinco de Mayo celebrations. I chose the brightly colored Certified International “Tequila Sunrise” for my dishes, but due to budget and storage limitations, I just purchased the salad plates and one covered dish. My plan was to use these salad plates with the Peacock Blue Fiestaware dinner plates I already owned.

However, later, when I was in Homegoods, this metal serving tray was starting calling my name… and it became a part of my Cinco de Mayo collection.

This metal plate was sold as a serving tray at Homegoods for only $9.99. I bought about 8 of these to use as chargers, and they became the bottom plate of my plate stack for my Cinco de Mayo Traditional Tablescape. To me it seems like a Mexican design (although the tray was not made in Mexico). These trays are large – 14″ wide plates – which I love – and I also love their pierced heart design.

For dinner plates on this tablescape, I decided to use my yellow Tommy Bahama Melamine plates (11″ wide) which I purchased originally to use on my tropical bird tablescape. The yellow plates are actually brighter than they appear in the below photo.

The top plate in each plate stack is one of the 4 salad plates – each of the 4 salad plates has a slightly different design. The entire plate stack sits on a woven placemat purchased many years ago, likely from Pier 1 or Michael’s. The napkin is from Homegoods, and the pinata yarn napkin ring is from Pier 1 (which sadly has closed its doors.)

The final items in each place setting are the Oneida flatware and a rainbow jewel tone Acrylic Wine glass that is topped by a small Mexican sombrero from Party City.

Centerpieces and Serving Pieces

My main centerpiece is the brightly colored donkey Piñata from Target.

To the far right on the table is a red pepper basket. It is possibly from Homegoods. Other centerpieces and serving pieces are from the Nora Fleming Collection. The Nora Fleming “minis” are interchangeable decorations on each serving piece that can be moved from one Nora Fleming serving piece to another. Hundreds of minis have been made, allowing collectors to adorn their serving pieces with decorations for almost every holiday. The cake pedestal (above and below) is a Nora Fleming serving piece. It holds some mini Piñatas and sombreros from Party City as well as a Nora Fleming Cactus Mini A266 (the cactus is visible on the cake pedestal in the above picture).

To the right side of the pedestal is the Nora Fleming T 6 Triple Dish. It has an A2248 Nora Fleming Flower Power Orange “mini”. On the left of the cake pedestal is a Nora Fleming Butter Dish with a Nora Fleming Party Animal Piñata Mini A222.

The napkin holder has a Nora Fleming A250 Dancing Fiesta Lady Flamenco Dancer mini. This “mini” and the Piñata on the butter dish are my very favorite minis for Mexican dinners.

Next to the Napkin holder with the Flamenco Dancer, is the Certified International “Tequila Sunrise” covered dish. I love the brightly colored dishes and decorations that are a part of most Mexican traditions.

Chandelier Decorations

Below, “Fiesta Time Paper Fan Decorations” from Party City hang from the chandelier. As these decorations are not double sided, I bought 2 identical packages of them and taped matching fans back to back to they would look good from all sides of the table.

For Those Who Are Just Starting to do Tablescapes and for Those Who are Considering the Possibilities …

As I was writing this post, and gathering pictures, and adding details I started to wonder if everything was a bit overwhelming to someone new to Tablescaping and I decided to take a minute to say that you can have fun with tablescapes without having all these pieces. Because I often photograph my different ideas so I can more easily see what direction I want to go, I decided it might be good to share some of my “Idea Pictures” as they show the simplicity of the beginning of a tablescape. When I’m brainstorming for a tablescape, I often just grab anything I have that could possibly blend with my theme and/or with the colors I am using. Then I try them putting those things together in different ways. In the following examples, I used the blue chargers and yellow plates that I already had, and tried them with various napkin rings I have collected and with some very inexpensive napkins ($9.99 for 40); and with an inexpensive tablecloth (at about $12). When I was done photographing I realized I like each of the combinations for Cinco de Mayo, and possibly for some other themed tablescapes too. I know I will be using the below combinations many times – as I love the bright colors and patterns. Are there any of the combinations below that you like? If so you may want to try this at home and gather the things you have available for a tablescape. You may be surprised with how many things you already have and with what happens when you one new thing to a bunch of things you already have – I sure was!

Also, in the Dining Room

As I don’t have any other Mexican decorations, except what is displayed on the table, I decided to leave my “April Showers Brings May Flowers” Tablescape decorations on the windowsill for Cinco de Mayo. They are colorful and fun like the Mexican decor so I thought they would go well with the table.

Tablescape Details and Origins for the

Cinco de Mayo Tablescape

Nora Fleming White serving dishes – Butter Dish, Cake Pedestal, Triple Dish, Napkin Holder and others – Nora Fleming; Amazon, eBay – on Amazon and eBay- put “nora fleming” in the search box – you may want to add a holiday, or the name of a specific item to your seach; (note, my pattern of serving dishes is retired, Nora Flemings new pattern of white dishes is “stripes”

Nora Fleming “Minis” Nora Fleming; Amazon, eBay – on Amazon and eBay put “nora fleming minis” in the search box – you may want to add a holiday, or the name or product number of a specific item to your seach; Minis used in this post were Cactus Mini A266; Nora Fleming Flower Power Orange A2248 “mini”;Nora Fleming Party Animal Piñata Mini A222; Nora Fleming A250 Dancing Fiesta Lady Flamenco Dancer mini.

Woven Placemats – Homegoods?

White Cloth Napkins with Yellow Crocheted Border – Homegoods

Large Donkey Piñata – Target 2022

Small Piñata figures – Party City 2022

Jewel tone/rainbow Acrylic Goblets – Homegoods 2022

Aqua Pierced Metal Tray – Homegoods 2020 approx.

Yellow Tommy Bahama Square Melamine Dinner Plates – Homegoods – these are often available at Homegoods in the Spring and Summer in various colors

Yarn Covered Piñata Napkin Rings – Pier 1 (store is now permanently closed)

Fiesta Time Mini Sombreros – Party City Fiesta Time Mini Sombreros

Certified International “Tequila Sunrise” Salad Plates – Amazon

Certified International “Tequila Sunrise” Bean Pot – mine was purchased at Amazon – currently unavailable – may be available at eBay or Etsy

Bunny, Duck, Goose, figurines with umbrellas – Homegoods 2022-2024 and will hopefully be back next year!

Ceramic Boots with flowers – Homegoods & Michaels 2022

Spring Wooden Sign – Michaels 2022

Wooden Tulips – Hobby Lobby ? 2022

Mexican style cloth napkins and tablecloth (in Idea Photos) from Homegoods 2023

Napkin Rings (in Idea photos) maracas – vintage from eBay;

Napkin Rings (in Idea photos) bone china flower napkin rings by Pia – vintage from eBay; try seaching for “Pia Napkin Rings” and “Philippines Napkin Rings”

Posts I Hope You Will Like

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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!

Wishing You a Very Happy Cinco de Mayo !!!!

I’m so glad you could join me for a Traditional Cinco de Mayo Dinner!!!!

The inflatable Piñata photo is from one of my “Lighting up the Night” posts. to see this post, please click on the following link – “Lighting up the Night for Cinco de Mayo”

and because no post seems right without a sunset, I wanted to include the below:

This sunset is from April 18, 2023 but with the bright orange, it made me think of a Mexican sunset, so I just had to include it.

Comments

I’d love it if you would comment on this post. Also, please share any plans or good memories you have for Cinco de Mayo Celebrations! The comment section is below – at the bottom of this post. Thanks so much for visiting!!!