How to Plan an Unforgettable Mexican Spanish Themed Party
Want to leave your party guests with a night that they won’t forget?
Unfortunately, party planning can be super stressful! Many elements like food, decorations, games, and invitations have to be carefully planned in advance.
This step-by-step guide is here to lead you through the party planning process!
It breaks down all the party essentials! Each step contains vibrant Mexican-themed ideas and easy ways to make them come to life.
Get ready to put the fun back into hosting and stay tuned for some Spanish party vocabulary to use at your extravagant get-together.
Ready to festejar (celebrate)?
Table of Contents:
- Mexican Spanish Party Planning Basics
- How to Throw a Mexican Spanish Party (Games, Music, Decor, and More!)
- Spanish Party Vocabulary
- Polish Your Spanish Fluency Before Your Big Event
Mexican Spanish Party Planning Basics
Whether you want to design a memorable wedding or an exciting birthday party, these party planning steps will help you create an unforgettable night.
Be sure to start the party planning process early, at least two to three months ahead of time. Follow these seven steps for the best results!
1. Determine Your Budget
The first step in party planning is deciding how much you want to spend. This amount will guide the rest of your planning!
2. Choose a Date and Time
You don’t have to narrow yourself down to just one day right away!
Instead, start by coming up with a time range for your party. Next, check with your most important guests or favorite venues to see when they are available. This information will give you a better idea of which day and time to select.
3. Book Your Venue
Skip this step if you are hosting your party at home. But, if you need an outside venue, then you definitely want to book it early—the sooner the better!
4. Make a Guest List
Come up with a general idea of how many people you want at your party. Afterward, make a list with each guest’s name.
Not everyone might show up on the party day, and that’s okay! Smaller parties of close friends will have a higher acceptance rate, while larger parties are more likely to have no-shows.
Plan for around 60% to 85% of your guests to attend the event. This way, you won’t overpay on food and party prep.
5. Arrange Entertainment
Now that you have your guests selected, you need to keep them entertained!
If you’re hiring live music or entertainers, now is a good time to book them.
6. Enlist Party Helpers
Party planning is hard work!
Take some of the responsibility off of your shoulders by enlisting close friends or family to help lend a hand with food prep, decorations, or idea-generating!
7. Order Supplies
Lastly, you need to buy all of your party supplies.
Make a checklist of everything you need (invitations, food, etc.) and mark each item off as you go!
How to Throw a Mexican Spanish Party (Games, Music, Decor, and More!)
Finally, it’s time to get the party rolling!
Mexican-themed parties are full of color, festivities, and music. Pull off an exquisite party by incorporating each of the following six elements into your special day.
1. Invitations
Clue guests in on what to expect through colors, layout, and design. Have fun and get creative with your invites through DIY, online ecards, or paper options.
It’s a good rule-of-thumb to send out your invitations at least a month ahead of time.
Here are some Mexican-themed invite ideas your guests will love!
DIY Fiesta Party Invitations
This tutorial is for Cinco de mayo invitations that look just like papel picado! Cut out and personalize your own rainbow of invitations for any event.
DIY Taco Invitations
Your guests won’t be able to refuse this delicious invitation! This taco tutorial explains how to create these funny and welcoming invites.
2. Decorations
Your decorations set the tone for the whole night!
Don’t let your guests walk into a room with bare walls. Fill the space with colors, textures, and culture.
Here are some affordable and DIY Mexican-themed decorations to enhance your celebration!
Paper Cuttings – Papel Picado
No Mexican-themed party is complete without papel picado!
These colorful paper decorations are incredibly easy and cheap to make! Simply grab some scissors and bright-colored paper and follow a cutting tutorial like this one.
Sugar Skulls – Calaveras de azúcar
Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) is one of Mexico’s most famous holidays.
This holiday’s most renowned symbol is the calavera de azúcar (sugar skull). Sugar skulls are a traditional folk art from southern Mexico.
Create your own sugar skull decor or buy them here.
Festive Fringe Photo Backdrop
Give your guests the perfect photo op with this colorful backdrop! This festive fringe background is incredibly easy to make; just follow this tutorial.
Mexican Flag Banner
Grab a Mexican flag or banner like this one to add the national colors of Mexico to your fiesta.
3. Food and Drink
No party is complete without snacks! Dozens of incredible Mexican dishes are just waiting to be tasted.
However, if you prefer to stay out of the kitchen, consider reaching out to your local Mexican restaurant for catering. Be sure to give them at least one month of notice before the big event.
On the other hand, if cooking is your passion, then try preparing some authentic Mexican flavors at home. Impress your guests with these delicious recipes—they won’t be disappointed!
Horchata
Horchata is a popular yet simple drink in Mexico.
This lightly sweetened beverage consists of white rice water, cinnamon, and granulated sugar. To spice up this drink, add anything from lime and almonds to condensed milk and strawberries.
Get creative with your ingredients to uncover a mouthwatering combination!
Homemade Churros
Looking for a sweet and toasty pastry?
Add cinnamon-sugar dusted churros to your party table, and they’ll be a hit! Bonus points if you add warm chocolate dipping sauce.
Chicken Tamales
Add warm and savory chicken tamales to your Mexican buffet!
Fresas con Crema
Sweet cream and fresh strawberries are a delectable combination! Include them on your dessert table for a refreshing sweet treat.
Tres Leches Cake
Tres leches means “three milks” in English.
Tres leches cake gets its name from the three types of milk in its layers: evaporated, condensed, and cream. This classic cake has a light and airy texture that your guests will love!
Fruit Paletas
Paletas are a Mexican popsicle often served by paleteros (ice cream vendors). These tasty fruit pops are easy to replicate and perfect for summer.
Grab your favorite fruit and follow this recipe for a crisp and cool dessert on a stick.
4. Music
Music is a quick way to make everyone feel energized and ready to let loose.
Set up surround-sound speakers that easily connect to your phone or computer through Bluetooth.
Prepare your Mexican-themed playlist ahead of time. You’ll want a few hours worth of music (around 50-60 songs).
Here are 5 traditional Mexican music genres to keep on shuffle!
Mariachi
Mexican mariachi bands are famous for their festive style, upbeat tunes, and authentic flavor. Grab your nearest speaker and listen to famous mariachi singers like Luis Miguel, Vicente Fernández, and Juan Gabriel.
Norteño
Norteño is a regional music genre from northern Mexico.
This blended genre combines European polka with local Mexican music. Each song features accordions, bajo sextos (a 12 string guitar), and drums humming together in harmony.
Banda
In southern Mexico, there’s another musical genre: banda.
Banda music is rhythmic, fast, and loud. Its style of proud brass, sassy woodwinds, and pounding drums originally comes from military bands.
Corridos
Mexican corridos use rhythm and rhyme to tell a meaningful story through song.
Although their lyrics are soft and smooth, the words behind the melody sing a different tune. Most topics refer to immigrant struggles and working-class suffering.
These messages also sing stories of underdog heroes and admired everyday people.
Grupero
Grupero music comes from the early 70s. This unique blend of Latin pop, mariachi, rock, and cumbia creates a sharp and electric sound.
Grupero songs contain electric guitars, electric bass, synthesizers, and electric percussion.
5. Entertainment and Activities
Keep your party guests entertained with these lively Mexican-themed games!
Piñata
Make or purchase a fringe piñata to hang up in your party room. Bring a long stick so that everyone can take a swing and try to break it open for the sweet treats inside!
Limbo
How low can you go?
Buy a limbo set or use an old broom for a fun dancing challenge! See who can make it under the stick at the shortest height and emerge victorious.
Soccer
If you’re hosting an outdoor party, a soccer ball goes a long way.
Fútbol (soccer) is the most popular sport in Mexico. Set up some make-shift goals, create two teams, and have fun!
6. Party Favors
There’s just one more step before your perfect party plan is complete!
End the night on a high note by passing out Mexican-themed party favors. Here are just a few ideas to get you started.
Mexican-themed Keychains
These colorful keychains are a versatile favor that everyone will love!
Handmade Friendship Bracelets
These wristbands make a festive addition to your goodie bags!
Fiesta Gift Tags
Add these cute fiesta gift tags to instantly spruce up your party favor packaging!
Spanish Party Vocabulary
Now that you finished party planning, it’s time to spice up your Spanish skills! Use these party vocabulary words to impress your friends and family at the celebration.
Types of Parties in Spanish
| English | Spanish |
| anniversary | el aniversario |
| birthday | el cumpleaños |
| Christmas | la Navidad |
| graduation | la graduación |
| New Year’s | la fiesta de fin de año |
| party | la fiesta |
| Thanksgiving | el Día de Acción de Gracias |
| wedding | la boda |
Basic Party Words in Spanish
| English | Spanish |
| balloons | los globos |
| cake | el pastel |
| celebration | la celebración |
| cheers | salud |
| dance | bailar |
| host | el anfitrión |
| invitations | las invitaciones |
| presents | los regalos |
Polish Your Spanish Fluency Before Your Big Event
Whether you want to party in Mexico or bring the fiesta to your own home, learning Spanish can help you do just that!
According to Forbes, over 559 million people speak Spanish across the globe. And, the largest Spanish-speaking population is actually right next door! Mexico has the highest number of Spanish speakers in the world with the United States trailing close behind.
By learning Spanish, you open the door to new friends, more jobs, and greater opportunities both at home and abroad.
The fastest way to achieve fluency is through regular class time with Homeschool Spanish Academy. We offer 1-on-1 immersive language lessons with native Spanish-speaking teachers. Our affordable pricing and flexible programs make learning Spanish easier than ever!
Prepare for your Mexican Spanish party by signing up for a free trial class!
Join one of the 40,000 classes that we teach each month and you can experience results like these
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– Erica P. Parent of 1
“Getting to know wonderful teachers who care about me and my growth in language and education. Evelyn Gomez and Erick Cacao are two of the most extraordinary people I have ever met, and talking with them in Spanish at the beginning of classes is always so fulfilling and greatly contributes to my happiness, joy, and wellbeing.”
– Abby
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