The COVID-19 pandemic means finding other ways to celebrate the holiday
Cinco de Mayo conveniently lands on"Taco Tuesday" this year — a perfect pair.
Although, things are a little different now since many restaurants and bars are closed and group hangouts are frowned upon. However, there are still ways to celebrate the holiday, which is more popular in countries like the U.S. than it is in Mexico. Speaking of its popularity, how well do you know the history of Cinco de Mayo? Here's a hint: it’s not Mexico’s day of independence.
The holiday actually credits the victory of the Mexican army over the French at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. Cinco de Mayo also commemorates a day of hope that has evolved over the years into a celebration of Mexican heritage.
That's pretty sweet.
If that’s not a reason to celebrate with tasty cuisine, creative cocktails, and fun in the comfort of your own home then I don’t know what is. So rather than taking a siesta on the couch, why not partake in a fiesta with your housemates and pets?
Here are a few things you can do at home:
1. First and foremost, crank up the jams and let loose
Music makes everyone feel better, right?
You might as well turn your living room into a dance party with some of your favorite music, or by searching for some awesome playlists on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, or anywhere you like to stream music. Billboard created a list of the 10 Songs You Need in Your Cinco De Mayo Playlist.
I found a pretty exciting playlist on Spotify. I hope my neighbors don't mind the noise.
2. Make some margaritas!
One of the best parts about having margaritas at home is that you can make them as strong as you want. You also don't have to worry about slamming at least two of them before Happy Hour is over. You're the boss.
If you need some help making the tequila-based classic cocktail, there are plenty of recipes scattered all over the internet.
You can try this one, or this, or even this drink. In addition, Patrón Tequila is going to be highlighting 20 top bartenders from the U.S. while they mix up "perfect Cinco de Mayo cocktails" on Instagram Live from 5 p.m. - 10 p.m. (Eastern Standard Time).
4. Have a virtual Happy Hour with your best buds
You're not going through this thing called "life" alone, and that doesn't mean you have to spend the holiday alone either.
There are plenty of options to connect with people now, like FaceTime and Skype, and recently Zoom has gained some popularity outside of the office. Zoom allows you to video chat with several people at once — creating the perfect setting for a hilarious outing online.
3. Order takeout from your favorite Mexican restaurant
If you can't go out and get your favorite dish this year you can always order to go.
This can bring a sense of familiarity to the holiday inside your home, but also supports your local restaurants during this strange time.
You can also avoid the huge mess in the kitchen, a beeping fire alarm, and a disgusting stack of dishes that tend to get neglected until the next day (speaking for myself).
5. Learn a traditional Mexican dance
This one is a little difficult for me. The last time I danced in public I cleared the room in less than 30 seconds. Okay, maybe I'm exaggerating a bit but this is actually a great opportunity to learn something new.
A few classic dances include the meringue, salsa, rumba, cha-cha-cha, and mambo. I had a lot of fun just saying all of those dances out loud.
6. Get creative and crafty!
This one is especially important for those who are spending a lot of time at home with the family. Get your kids away from the television screen and have them make Papel Picado.
What's that, you ask? It's a traditional craft in Mexico where hand-cut paper is strung into colorful banners and then used to celebrate holidays and special occasions. It's a neat way to get involved with celebrating Mexican culture.
In conclusion, just because there isn't much to do out in public this Cinco De Mayo there are still so many activities you can partake in. These are just a few things but I'm sure you can think of more things to do after a couple of margaritas.
