Mardi Gras Madness: Plan a Mardi Gras Celebration

"Let the good times roll" with a Mardi Gras celebration. Fat Tuesday is a time to celebrate and revel. There are two great things about planning a Mardi Gras celebration. First there are plenty of great party supplies to choose from that are fun, different and capture the Mardi Gras spirit. Second, even though Fat Tuesday is March 8th this year, a Mardi Gras theme for your parties can work any time during the year.

Mardi Gras Invitations
First invite some revelers. Send out Mardi Gras invitations to your Mardi Gras Celebration party well in advance. You can dress up your invitation in a few different ways.

I love the idea of attaching your invitations to a mask. Or you can include another Fat Tuesday staple and throw a stand of Mardi Gras beads into the envelope. Everyone will be delighted to get such a special invitation! Let them know they need their beads or masks in order to enter the party.

Make sure that your guests know that they need to dress the part. Offer some suggestions that fit the New Orleans theme such as a fortune teller, a jazz band player, a jester, or even a swamp creature. The sky's the limit when it comes to Bourbon Streeters dressing up for Mardi Gras. Prizes should be given out for the most original costume. And don't forget to get an amazing Mardi Gras costume for yourself! A Mardi Gras jester is always a huge hit. In fact, you almost have to have a jester at your party.

Mardi Gras Decorations and Party Supplies
Ok, you are all dressed up, but what if you have no where to go. Simply turn your house into Bourbon Street. Start by decorating outside to help set the mood. Nothing fancy. Maybe a personalized Mardi Gras banner by the front door. (They are available in 3 sizes and are water proof, so they're fine to put outside.)

I like putting a life sized cutout near the front door. Nothing says your party will be something special like these cutouts. Too shy to drop your face in there? Choose a photo op and let your guests have their pictures taken as a Mardi Gras jester. Very fun.

Once inside the house it’s easy to turn your home into Bourbon Street. Here are some great French Quarter theme decorations:

Decorate your house with signs that are unique to the French Quarter such as Bourbon Street and Jackson Square.
Sprinkle fleur de lis confetti on the tables.

Make sure you have plenty of Mardi Gras beads, masks, and doubloons (gold coins) on hand to add to the decorative flair of the house and to give to your guests. Its not a Mardi Gras party with out plenty of "throws." (If you've got a balcony, it would be fun to toss the items to your guests as they are arriving at party.)No Mardi Gras Party is complete without second line and Dixieland jazz band music to get your guests into the carnival spirit. Make sure you don't forget to play "The Mardi Gras Mambo."

Mardi Gras table decorations and menu
Have fun setting your table for the feast. Purple, green and yellow are the colors so if you go with those colors you’re fine. Some brightly colored Mardi Gras paper goods are mandatory.

Centerpieces are easy to design with your choice of colorful feather masks surrounding a bunch of Mardi Gras balloons in purple, green, and gold. Add a few extra touches to your table:

You can be creative with beads also. We use the Mardi Gras beads as a table decoration, usually to wrap napkins.
Gold, purple and green candles would look great on the tables.
Gold Coins are a must scattered on tables for a fun Mardi Gras themed confetti.
Mardi Gras is all about the music, so print out jazz sheet music to use as placemats.

New Orleans food is infamous throughout the world, so let's get down to the menu (and drink) details.

One pot meals are a great way to go for Fat Tuesday; serve gumbo or do a crawfish boil!
Provide everyone with tasty hurricanes. And serve it up in a light up glass. It is sure to be a hit!
And last but not least a King Cake for dessert!

Mardi Gras party favors

You've already decked out your guests with beads, hats and masks at your Mardi Gras party. (You can throw some of those beads and favors into a custom Mardi Gras Favor bag!) When it's time to say goodnight, be sure to send your guests home with a delicious personalized favor. Here are some personalized Mardi Gras favors that we love!

Personalized Mardi Gras candy bar wrappers - with a custom note thanking everyone for attending
Custom Mardi Gras lollipops - seriously cute!

Most importantly, Have fun on Fat Tuesday!