While it’s contrary to popular belief in America, Cinco de Mayo isn’t Mexico’s independence day. That, mi amigo, is on Diez y Seis de Septembre. Rather it’s a holiday that’s observed to commemorate the Mexican Army’s unlikely victory against the French in on the 5th of May in 1862 called the Battle of Puebla. Note that at the time Mexico was taken over by France 6 months before that and it had previously been an independent nation since the early 1800s. This should be obvious to us Americans since Texas fought a war with them to gain independence from Mexico and that US fought a war with Mexico during the 1840s so it could take over some of its lands. So what the Mexicans were fighting for in 1862 was to regain their independence, this time from the French. Did the Battle of Puebla accomplish that? Well, in the short run. It wasn’t a strategic victory, just a symbolic one for the Mexican government which bolstered a resistance movement as well as establish a much needed national unity and patriotism. A year later, France would send 30,000 troops to defeat the Mexican Army, capture Mexico City, installed Maximilian I as “Emperor,” and occupied the country for 3 years from 1864-1867. Sure the Battle of Puebla was a significant battle since it was an unlikely victory by the Mexican Army who were against an enemy that was better equipped and outnumbered them 11,000 to 4,000. And the fact that no country in the Americas has been invaded by a European military force ever since.Yes, that’s quite impressive. But I don’t understand why Mexico would want to honor the Battle of Puebla with a holiday like Cinco de Mayo. It just makes no sense to me because you can say the same about some of the battles during the American Revolution and Americans don’t make holidays over the Battles of Trenton or Princeton. Besides, it’s said that the first Cinco de Mayo celebration wasn’t in Mexico at all, but by Mexican American miners in California in 1863. And it’s actually more of a significant holiday for Mexican Americans. In Mexico, Cinco de Mayo isn’t exactly a national holiday and its observance there is like how Americans observe Columbus Day. Sure public schools tend to be closed on May 5, nationwide in Mexico, but other than that, not much else except in Puebla and Veracruz. Nevertheless, since Cinco de Mayo is a significant holiday for Mexican Americans, then I probably should do a post on it. After all, Mexicans are the largest Latino group in the US, which makes Cinco de Mayo a major holiday in California and Texas. So for your reading pleasure, I give you a treasure trove of Cinco de Mayo craft projects.
- A decomesh fiesta wreath always shows where the party is.
I have to admit, this is a lovely fiesta wreath. Like the pinata in the center.
2. This flower pot is well suited for cacti.
Well, the cacti and this flower pot give it a real Mexican feel. Love how it’s painted.
3. Empty Corona bottles always make great Cinco de Mayo vases.
Well, the water in the bottles has food coloring in it to get the transparent color look. But the flowers are lovely.
4. Sometimes a sombrero is too pretty to wear on a Cinco de Mayo fiesta.
This one is covered in flowers and is used as an outdoor decoration. Love the ribbons, too. So pretty.
5. You can make a fiesta floral wreath with some ribbons, bows, and tissue paper.
The tissue paper involved with this wreath is used for flowers. But it looks quite festive just the same.
6. Those who wish to take pride in their Chicano heritage, you may use this decorative flower pot.
This is a painted flower pot in Mexican flag colors. Like the tissue paper flower on the top.
7. These decorative gourds will be a fine addition to any Cinco de Mayo party.
Okay, maybe it’s not decorative gourd season. But these gourds certainly have Mexican inspired art on them. So it counts.
8. For Cinco de Mayo, you can’t go wrong with a feathered sombrero wreath.
Well, these sombreros seem to be made from styrofoam. And those pinatas seem quite small. But I like it.
9. Make your Cinco de Mayo hot with this spicy chili pepper wreath.
According to Pinterest, this is said to come from Martha Stewart’s website. Still, I hope those chili peppers are plastic because real chili peppers should only be used for cooking.
10. Don’t live where’s there’s cacti? How about use rocks instead?
I have to admit, painting rock cacti is pretty creative. I recommend this for Chicanos who might celebrate Cinco de Mayo in my neck of the woods.
11. For Cinco de Mayo, sometimes a multicolored ribbon wreath is all you need on your front door.
Well, that certainly looks festive. Love the bright colors and ribbons on this one.
12. Who can ever celebrate Cinco de Mayo without these amigurumi?
Sure they may denote Mexican food stereotypes like chili peppers, tacos, margaritas, and that square bread thing. But these are adorable.
13. In preparing for your Cinco de Mayo party, it sometimes helps if you use a ceiling hanging or two.
Not sure if it’s a craft project or not. But if it is, it’s probably made by someone with too much time on their hands. Still, it’s quite lovely.
14. Nothing makes your food look more festive on Cinco de Mayo than this Mexican dish.
You were probably thinking I was going to show food. But this is a Mexican inspired dish which has a lovely design on it.
15. A wreath like this on Cinco de Mayo always denotes a fiesta going on.
Because it says “fiesta” on the wreath. And it’s decorated in bright colors, flowers, and ribbons.
16. You heard of tacos and pinatas? Well, here’s a taco pinata.
I’m sure you don’t want to eat that. But I have to admit, it’s pretty funny and charming.
17. These fiesta birds would surely make a festive presence.
I think this might be a kid craft project of some sort. But I don’t think these were made by kids though. The detail looks too intricate.
18. For your Cinco de Mayo fiesta, these pinata candle holders would make fine centerpieces on any table.
Well, each one is decorated with flowers and pinatas. Quite festive and very creative if I say so myself.
19. Nothing shows you where the margaritas are than a wreath of small umbrellas.
Okay, I know some people use Cinco de Mayo as a way of wasting away again in Margaritaville. Still, this could also be used for luau parties.
20. For Cinco de Mayo a festive flower pot is great for orange flowers.
I like how this flower pot is painted. And it seems that the front has a Spanish word on it for mermaid.
21. Nothing makes a better clock on Cinco de Mayo than one like this.
This one also has Spanish words on it. But I could tell it’s Mexican inspired because it has a sugar skull at the 9.
22. On Cinco de Mayo, this chili pepper margarita glass is hot stuff.
However, if you drink too many margaritas on Cinco de Mayo, you might soon be searching for your lost shaker of salt. Well, that’s what Jimmy Buffett says.
23. Bell peppers make great Cinco de Mayo candle holders.
And they come in 4 colors: orange, green, yellow, and red. Unfortunately, Dios didn’t get around to creating a blue or purple one.
24. On Cinco de Mayo, kick back in these Mexican styled ottomans.
Yes, I know I’m putting these on for Cinco de Mayo. But I wouldn’t recommend anyone to buy these to use for a once a year decoration. Furniture must be used year round.
25. Well, that’s a lovely fiesta floral centerpiece.
Well, I found this under Cinco de Mayo crafts on Pinterest. So it better be used for the holiday. Still, it’s beautiful.
26. Can’t get cacti? How about make some cacti sculptures?
Well, I think these might be made of clay. But you have to appreciate the work put into them. Like the small saguaro.
27. Nothing makes a better fiesta table than a mosaic one like this.
Once again, furniture should be used year round. I’m just putting this one up because it looks Mexican inspired. And it’s very pretty.
28. Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with a wreath like this on your front door.
This one is of the Mexican flag. I kind of wish it’d include an eagle with a snake in its mouth. But you can’t have everything.
29. On Cinco de Mayo, you can’t go wrong with a cornhusk doll.
To be fair, cornhusk dolls were also prominent in the US. However, this one is dressed as a Mexican dancer.
30. Pinatas can come in any size.
Sure you might not get much candy out of it if you break it. But it’s adorable.
31. How would you like a decomesh flower wreath like this at your gate?
This has to be a big wreath since gate entrances are usually wider. Nevertheless, it’s lovely to behold.
32. A glittery cactus will always stand out at any fiesta.
I’m sure these are fake cacti in the pot. But they sure do sparkle.
33. Celebrate your Cinco de Mayo with a lovely decomesh wreath like this at your front door.
Yes, it’s another Cinco de Mayo wreath. I have quite a few of them on this post. But this one has thicker ribbons and a sombrero on top.
34. Got empty glass bottles? Have them say, “Ole!”
I have to admit this is funny. Like how bottles are dressed like banditos with their own mustaches and sombreros.
35. On Cinco de Mayo, sometimes 3 wreaths are better than one.
This is especially when they’re strung together and look the same. Can’t help but love this though.
36. Now that you’ve hunted down a pinata, perhaps use its skin for interior decorating.
This is a pinata skin rug which I don’t think is possible to do. Still, I think its hilarious.
37. Painted cacti always has to match with painted pots.
Yes, I know these are rocks painted as cacti. But at least these are in appropriate Mexican inspired painted flower pots.
38. “Aaaah! There’s an invisible mariachi in my room!”
Didn’t know the Invisible Man celebrated Cinco de Mayo considering that he’s supposed to be British. Still, this is funny.
39. Never seen a chair as colorful as this.
Well, it may not be for Cinco de Mayo. But it’s sure Mexican inspired. So it goes on.
40. Grace your couch this Cinco de Mayo with this serape throw.
Yes, I know a serape is a blanket. But I don’t know if this counts as one. Still, it does have a serape color scheme.
41. Your Cinco de Mayo veggies should be served on this chili pepper dip tray.
Then again, it looks quite small. But its pepper motifs make this Tex-Mex appropriate for the occasion.
42. Nothing makes a splash this Cinco de Mayo than this flower pot fountain.
Then again, it doesn’t seem much like an active fountain. But it’s sure intricately painted. Love it.
43. Grace your home this Cinco de Mayo with these festive flower trees.
Well, these are small and are mostly decorated in tissue paper. But they sure look festive.
44. On Cinco de Mayo, this sacred heart mirror looks great in any room.
Well, this is supposed to be a Mexican rendition of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Looks cool though, especially with the silver flames.
45. Don’t have a wreath? Use a sombrero.
Now that’s a fancy sombrero. Wouldn’t want to put it on my front door this time of year due to the weather.
46. My. this wreath sure looks festive.
Yes, this is a very festive wreath indeed. Not because it’s in bright colors with “Fiesta” on it.
47. Nothing brings in the spirit of Cinco de Mayo like this purse.
Or is it a pillow or pillow cover. Either way, Etsy says it has a colorful Mexican design on it.
48. Didn’t know there was such a thing as a gilded pinata.
Well, this is a pinata with some gold spray paint on it. Though nice, I kind of prefer the colorful ones better.
49. Step right out this Cinco de Mayo in these shoes.
Sure they’re more suited for Dia de los Muertos. But they’re Mexican inspired so I’ll put them in this post.
50. A decomesh wreath like this ensures that there’s a fiesta around the corner.
Well, this sure puts you in the fiesta spirit. Like the flowers and pinata on this.
51. Cacti always look quite festive in sugar skull pots.
Yes, I know sugar skulls are more or less associated with Day of the Dead. Still, they’re a Mexican motif and are intricately done. So they go on.
52. These papermache sugar skulls make quite colorful Cinco de Mayo decorations.
I’m sure these weren’t made by kids. Because they seem so intricately done you’d think they were created from some repressed art major.
53. For Cinco de Mayo, this skull bottle will go well on any mantle.
I’m sure you won’t be drinking anything out of this one. Because this is just for decoration. But it’s lovely.
54. If you have some Mexican cans, perhaps plant cacti in them.
Not sure where I could get those. But I think the cacti should feel right at home.
55. These sugar skulls are as soft as they’re colorful.
Because they’re made of felt and cotton. Nevertheless, they’re sure pretty.
56. You can’t celebrate Cinco de Mayo without this statue of Our Lady of Guadelupe.
Well, Our Lady of Guadelupe is a significant Mexican cultural icon. Also, at least her day of observance makes more sense than Cinco de Mayo.
57. This Mexican cross must’ve been done with holy hands.
This one is in a Mexican mosaic style. Think this might’ve been an Etsy listing.
58. For hanging decorations, you have to go with tissue paper flowers.
I’ve seen these on Pinterest and Etsy. While, indeed festive, I’m not sure where I’d put one if I had one.
59. Ever heard of a cucumber cactus?
I’ve seen a lot of these, too. A lot of them are just cucumbers in pots with toothpicks in them. At least these have flowers.
60. Nothing makes a better Cinco de Mayo fiesta than having a sombrero wreath at your door.
Well, this one brings out a festive mood. Like how it’s decorated with ribbons, a serape, and a guitar.
61. You can’t celebrate Cinco de Mayo without a pair of maracas.
These are covered with colored duct tape. Not sure how they sound.
62. On Cinco de Mayo, even the margarita glasses have to have their own sombreros.
I don’t know about this one. On one hand, that might be going to far. But on the other hand, looks quite charming.
63. This sombrero makes a big impression on Cinco de Mayo.
This one has a pinata, a sun, and a sunflower as well as a few other things. In any case, makes a lovely door decoration.
64. These sugar skulls have dazzling eyes.
They’re also made from felt and are soft as can be. Love the crazy eyes though.
65. This fiesta wreath is known to say, “Ole!”
It also has a pinata near the top. Like the flowers on this one, especially the pink one.
66. This wreath shows where the tacos are.
Because it’s a taco shell wreath. Still, taco shells are food so this decoration will only last temporarily.
67. Inside this box, you’ll find the Sacred Heart.
Well, it’s Mexican inspired and listed on Etsy. So it goes on this post. Still, you have to admire the craftsmanship.
68. Now this is a Sacred Heart box anyone could love.
You’ll find a Sacred Heart in a lot of Mexican art as far as I see. But this one is quite ornate.
69. Nothing makes a Cinco de Mayo wreath than a serape.
This one seems more simpler than the other wreaths. Maybe because it uses a serape, a guitar, and some floral decor.
70. Remember the bigger the pinata, the bigger the impression.
I’m sure some people will be tempted to destroy this given there’s a pinata in the center. But I’m positive the pinata has no candy inside.
The Lone Girl in a Crowd 
Very pretty and festive stuff!