Fiesta birthday party Q

[Anonymous]

DD (5) really wants a "fiesta" birthday party with sombreros, mexican food and a pinata. I'm hesitant. Is this cultural appropriation or racist? Are the sombreros okay? What about mustaches for the guys?

FWIW Mexican restaurants are her favorites. She loves the food and I think it would be a crowd pleaser.

[Anonymous]

Having a Mexican "theme" is cultural appropriation/a little racist. Being Mexican is not something you just do for fun - just like you wouldn't have a Jewish themed party for fun. It's insulting. That said, you could definitely serve Mexican food if it's her favorite! And you can have a pinata if you want to. Just don't say it's part of a theme that has to do with someone's nationality.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Having a Mexican "theme" is cultural appropriation/a little racist. Being Mexican is not something you just do for fun - just like you wouldn't have a Jewish themed party for fun. It's insulting. That said, you could definitely serve Mexican food if it's her favorite! And you can have a pinata if you want to. Just don't say it's part of a theme that has to do with someone's nationality.

PP here - I should have pointed out that the sombreros and mustaches are a LOT racist, not just a little.

[Anonymous]

My DH is Mexican and the above PP is correct. Serve Mexican food and for sure a piñata. Just call it a party with things she likes.

No to the sombreros and HARD NO on the mustaches. The mustaches in particular are a horrible idea. Don't get wool ponchos either.

While you're at it, give some money to an organization currently helping the young children in cages at the border.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DH is Mexican and the above PP is correct. Serve Mexican food and for sure a piñata. Just call it a party with things she likes.

No to the sombreros and HARD NO on the mustaches. The mustaches in particular are a horrible idea. Don't get wool ponchos either.

While you're at it, give some money to an organization currently helping the young children in cages at the border.

Me again. You could also have mariachis. Every one loves that.

[Anonymous]

OP here. I wasn't going to mention "Mexican" anywhere. She wants to have a "Fiesta."

So if I nix the sombreros and mustaches, does that make it better?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I wasn't going to mention "Mexican" anywhere. She wants to have a "Fiesta."

So if I nix the sombreros and mustaches, does that make it better?

NP. Yep. Will still have a great Fiesta. Check out Party City. Bought plates, cups, table cloth and a few festive centerpieces for our Mexican dinner potluck.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I wasn't going to mention "Mexican" anywhere. She wants to have a "Fiesta."

So if I nix the sombreros and mustaches, does that make it better?

NP. Yep. Will still have a great Fiesta. Check out Party City. Bought plates, cups, table cloth and a few festive centerpieces for our Mexican dinner potluck.

OP here. But the festive centerpieces can't be sombreros right?

[Anonymous]

Just word it carefully.

"Come join us for a Mexican food fiesta and help celebrate Larla's 6th birthday!"

Then have a pinata. No sombreros and moustaches.

[Anonymous]

DP, what about having someone at the party who can teach the kids some Spanish words and phrases and maybe to sing the happy birthday in Spanish? Would that be okay, or wrong?

I was thinking of making it partly an educational party. And I love the idea of making a donation to an organization that helps immigrants at the southern border.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DP, what about having someone at the party who can teach the kids some Spanish words and phrases and maybe to sing the happy birthday in Spanish? Would that be okay, or wrong?

I was thinking of making it partly an educational party. And I love the idea of making a donation to an organization that helps immigrants at the southern border.

OMG DO NOT DO THIS.

[Anonymous]

DP what about singing happy birthday in Spanish?

[Anonymous]

Gift suggestion: Let DD change her given name as her present.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Gift suggestion: Let DD change her given name as her present.

OP here. Huh?

[Anonymous]

I think I'd skip the "learning Spanish" angle. Just serve mexican food and have a piñata. Call it a party or fiesta, that's fine. Serve tequila, mexican beer, and some aquas frescas.

Use the colors of the Mexican flag if you really want to make it more "mexican". Green, red, white.

No to sombrero decorations. Or cactus. Or speedy Gonzalez. Or anything that you see that is a rampant stereotype.