The first Cinco de Mayo party I hosted cost me almost two hundred dollars. I bought pre-made guacamole, a party kit from a big box store, and enough decorations to fill a parade float. Half the food went uneaten.

Year two, I spent under fifty dollars. The party was better. Here is what I changed.

The Food: Taco Bar

A taco bar is the cheapest way to feed a crowd and it looks great. You need: tortillas, one or two proteins, and a spread of toppings. People build their own — no plating, no portioning.

For protein, slow-cooker carnitas is your best friend. Pork shoulder is one of the cheapest cuts of meat. Cook it with orange juice, garlic, and spices for 8 hours. The whole thing costs about twelve dollars and feeds ten to twelve people. Add a pot of black beans for vegetarians.

The Drinks: Batch, Do Not Bottle

Skip the bottled margarita mix. Make a pitcher of real margaritas: tequila, fresh lime juice, triple sec, and simple syrup. A twenty-dollar bottle of decent tequila makes about twelve drinks.

Decorations: DIY

Papel picado — the cut paper banners — you can make with tissue paper and scissors in twenty minutes while watching TV. Construction paper in bright colors, cut into triangles and strung together, gives you a banner for under two dollars.

The second year, someone asked me which caterer I used. I took it as a compliment and did not correct them.