Costumes & Accessories (33) / Party Supplies (22)

Mardi Gras Party

Table of contents

Introduction

In the mood for the greatest party of the year but stuck for a theme? Well, look no further as we’ve got the ultimate party theme right here: Mardi Gras. Below you’ll find all the information you need to organize your very own Mardi Gras festival in the comfort of your own home (or wherever you like). But just before we begin, let’s take a look at the origins and meaning of this world renowned festival.

 

For those of you who do not know, the term "Mardi Gras" is French, with its English translation being "Fat Tuesday". It is the final day of the carnival that precedes Lent and, as such, is the day before Ash Wednesday.

 

But still, most people know Mardi Gras simply as a great opportunity to join some of the biggest parties on earth. These include those celebrations held in Brazil's Rio de Janeiro and in New Orleans. It is, however, a festival celebrated by many other countries in the world, some with festivals and parties and others with more formal traditions. Let's have a look at some of the most popular among them:

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Rio de Janeiro

As stated before, this is perhaps one of the most famous festivals on the planet. Rio's carnaval is usually held 40 days before Easter and marks the beginning of Lent. For those who've never attended a Mardi Gras party in Rio, you'll be able to find different parades as part of this festival, the most notable being the Escolas de Samba, the Cordão do Bola Preta, Carmelitas and the Suvaco do Cristo.

New Orleans

With the first Mardi Gras celebration held in 1748, New Orleans is perhaps the most popular Mardi Gras destination in the United States. This celebration not only plays host to a number of parades that go through the narrow streets of the Old French Quarter, but also to a number of parties that attract as many as 500,000 people at any given time.

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France

And just to include a bit of European tradition, we note tat France also celebrates the Mardi Gras in the city of Nice. This celebration predates 1294, the year that the Comte de Provence Charles II, Duc d’Anjou started taking his holidays in the area to partake in the celebration. As you may have guessed, this was an elegant affair, rich with formal balls, masquerades as well as the typical acts of entertainers.

 

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Mardi Gras Party Invitations

One of the most important parts of any Mardi Gras party is of course the invitations. They have to be dazzling and reflect the spirit of Mardi Gras. As such, you’ll want to be sure that you make use of the following colors to ensure that your celebrations are true to the Mardi Gras style:

Purple: Used to represent justice.

Green: Denotes faith.

Gold: A color that represents power.

 

In addition, be sure to include the following details on your invitations to ensure that your guests are fully informed:

 

  • Party Name: Be sure to give your party a name that stands out to capture the attention of your potential guests. An example would be “Nancy’s Carnival Blast”
  • Salutation
  • Date & Time
  • Venue/Location
  • Dress Code
  • Contact Details
  • Additional information…

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Mardi Gras Masks

One thing common to most Mardi Gras festivals and parades around the globe is the use of masks. To make your Mardi Gras invitation masks, you’ll simply need some paper, glue, glitter, elastic string, scissors, paint and a Mardi Gras themed invitation card.

 

We recommend that you design the mask on paper first. While some choose to ensure that they simply cover the eyes, others prefer their masks to cover the whole face. Once you have your design however, cut out a shape for each of your guests using the scissors.

 

When that’s done, use the paint, glue and glitter to decorate the masks. While doing this, keep the official Mardi Gras colors in mind. All done? Good! Because now you’ll simply need to punch a hole in your invitation card, thread the elastic string through it and attach the ends of the elastic string to the side of the mask.

 

For those with the necessary skill, paper mache can be used to substitute the paper.

For those who don’t find themselves to be too artistic or crafty, simply pop down to your local gift supply store or browse the internet for ready-made Mardi Gras masks.

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Mardi Gras Beads

Beads form perhaps one of the most essential piece of Mardi Gras jewellery, especially in New Orleans. For this you’ll simply need to visit a bead shop (or browse on the internet) and get your hands on an assortment of beads and string. In addition, you will need to buy or prepare a Mardi Gras paper-based invitation.

 

Once you have all the ingredients, simply slip the string through the hole in the beads, taking care to thread the paper invitation with your party details into the necklace at some stage. This is an easy invitation to make and, when using the colors as described above, will embody the spirit of Mardi Gras.

 

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Mardi Gras Hat/Headpiece

The Mardi Gras hat or headpiece will make a fine invitation and can either be made by hand (if you think yourself skilled enough) or bought both online and in the appropriate stores. Remember that your headpiece or hat will typically include feathers and need to sparkle and glitter.

 

Once you have the finished product, simply attach a paper-based invitation or card with the details above written or printed on it.

Mardi Gras Party Dress Code

For Mardi Gras, especially when thinking about New Orleans, anything goes though your guests will be best served if you include “Bright Colored Casual Wear” on your invitation. Again, keep the official Mardi Gras colors in mind… purple, green and gold.

 

For the more adventurous spirits, glittering bikinis, high heels and extravagant costumes will be perfectly fine for the Rio de Janeiro styled parties.

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Mardi Gras Party Decorations

For your Mardi Gras party decorations, you’ll simply need to decorate the venue so that it reflects the spirit of Mardi Gras and, more importantly, a place that looks like it has been designed for a good time. Here are a couple of Mardi Gras elements to keep in mind when doing the decorations:

  • Purple, green and gold table cloths
  • Tiki torches
  • Fake Old French Quarters Street Sings
  • Columns
  • Beads (strewn over tables)
  • Masks and headpieces (used as centerpieces and focal points)
  • Garlands, streamers and confetti.

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Mardi Gras Party Guest Arrival & Announcement

As Mardi Gras is typically a party where everyone who wants can join, there’ll be no need to use any formal type of invitation. Though , as host, it will be your duty to ensure that the guests meet each other and mingle throughout the evening.

Mardi Gras Party Favors

Party favors for Mardi Gras are plentiful and can be bought from any store that stocks Mardi Gras merchandise. But just in case you are stumped, use any of the following as they represent the ideal Mardi Gras elements:

  • Mardi Gras masks
  • Mardi Gras feathered headpieces
  • Mardi Gras beads necklace
  • Old doubloons or other coins

 

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Mardi Gras Party Activities

As this is the part of the evening your guests will have been waiting for, you’ll have to put a bit of thought and effort into planning your Mardi Gras party activities. Below you’ll find a couple of classic ideas which you can use and adapt according to your own will.

Costume Contest

An essential part of every Mardi Gras themed party is a costume contest. See who has the most elaborate display of color and embodiment of Mardi Gras spirit in their costumes and crown them Mardi Gras King and Queen.

 

Just keep in mind that you’ll need to notify your guests of this planned activity so that they’ll be able to come prepared.

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Body Painting

As another traditional Mardi Gras feature, body painting is an event that will be remembered for days, weeks and years to come. Use the colors of Mardi Gras and see which of the artists can create the most brilliant Mardi Gras design! For those not into full body painting, just the face will suffice.

Mardi Gras Trivia

Not necessarily for those who think themselves too old for dancing or body painting, but for those who, well, would rather exercise their gray matter! Mardi Gras trivia sets can be bought off the internet or in the appropriate toy stores and will make for hours of fun! Just be sure to pair those with a more intimate knowledge on the subject with those who might know more about something else.

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Mardi Gras Limbo

Well ok, we know this is traditionally a Caribbean activity, but why not? It is after all an occasion for music and dance – and what better way to ensure that your guests enjoy themselves at your Mardi Gras party than with aptly themed limbo?

 

You’ll be able to use your own Mardi Gras music here and decorate the limbo poles with beads, masks, feathers and anything else you can think of. And, to ensure that this becomes a day your guests will never forget, be sure to keep your camera at the ready.

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Food & Drink

As for food, a Mardi Gras would not be complete without King Cakes and Fried Chicken as these are the traditional festival foods. And in addition to the aforementioned two, you might want to include a variety of seafood dishes – either as snacks or as meals – as these are popular too.

 

Drinks on the other hand can be bought, made or mixed at your discretion. Though do keep in mind that your guests will probably be expecting Mardi Gras cocktails as well as hurricanes and martinis as these are quite popular in many festival towns and cities.

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