How To Throw A Mardi Gras Party
Millions of people flock each year to New Orleans to celebrate one of the biggest events in the city: Mardi Gras. This holiday revolves around parades, costumes and the occasional alcoholic beverage. The problem, however, is that many of us can't afford or don't have the time to fly down to the Big Easy for main event. While you may not be in New Orleans for Fat Tuesday fun, you can bring the parades to your living room or backyard with a rental projector, some creativity, and a few simple props.
It's Carnival Time
This year, Mardi Gras falls on February 21, 2012. Many of the larger Mardi Gras parades are usually televised, or you can download streaming video of the parades and crowds online. If you have a rental projector, you can hook it up and use the passing floats, marching bands and screaming crowds as background for your own carnival party.
Bring on the Beads
When throwing a Mardi Gras party, you do need certain things like purple, green and gold decorations, beads and some traditional New Orleans meals. You can order Mardi Gras decorations, masks and beads from online sellers if they are not available from local sellers. A fun idea is to get enough beads for everyone coming to the party, which you can hand to them as they walk in.
Also, Mardi Gras revelers usually dress up, especially on Fat Tuesday. Make your Mardi Gras party a masquerade, and ask people to wear masks and costumes. You can pick a theme like a 17th century ball (the attire of choice for many of the Mardi Gras balls in New Orleans), favorite celebrity or even characters from comic books or movies. Or, you can simply ask that your guests come in their favorite costume without giving the party a specific theme.
There are many ways to decorate your home or event hall for the party. You can hang purple, green and gold streamers and beads along fences or the stairs. Add a Mardi Gras faux chandelier to the ceiling. Have fun -- that's what Mardi Gras is all about.
Good Food is a Must
You can use canned cinnamon rolls to fashion a King Cake, a ring-shaped dough-like cake featuring purple, green and gold frosting. Make some gumbo, jambalaya and even some Hurricanes, Sazeracs or Vieux Carre mixed drinks. If you don't want to be making drinks all night, throw together a couple of alcoholic and non-alcoholic New Orleans style punch for all your guests to enjoy.
Don't forget to order your screen and projector, and have it set up beforehand. You can let the sound from the parades play, or download some traditional Mardi Gras music to use as the parade and party soundtrack.
It's Carnival Time
This year, Mardi Gras falls on February 21, 2012. Many of the larger Mardi Gras parades are usually televised, or you can download streaming video of the parades and crowds online. If you have a rental projector, you can hook it up and use the passing floats, marching bands and screaming crowds as background for your own carnival party.
Bring on the Beads
When throwing a Mardi Gras party, you do need certain things like purple, green and gold decorations, beads and some traditional New Orleans meals. You can order Mardi Gras decorations, masks and beads from online sellers if they are not available from local sellers. A fun idea is to get enough beads for everyone coming to the party, which you can hand to them as they walk in.
Also, Mardi Gras revelers usually dress up, especially on Fat Tuesday. Make your Mardi Gras party a masquerade, and ask people to wear masks and costumes. You can pick a theme like a 17th century ball (the attire of choice for many of the Mardi Gras balls in New Orleans), favorite celebrity or even characters from comic books or movies. Or, you can simply ask that your guests come in their favorite costume without giving the party a specific theme.
There are many ways to decorate your home or event hall for the party. You can hang purple, green and gold streamers and beads along fences or the stairs. Add a Mardi Gras faux chandelier to the ceiling. Have fun -- that's what Mardi Gras is all about.
Good Food is a Must
You can use canned cinnamon rolls to fashion a King Cake, a ring-shaped dough-like cake featuring purple, green and gold frosting. Make some gumbo, jambalaya and even some Hurricanes, Sazeracs or Vieux Carre mixed drinks. If you don't want to be making drinks all night, throw together a couple of alcoholic and non-alcoholic New Orleans style punch for all your guests to enjoy.
Don't forget to order your screen and projector, and have it set up beforehand. You can let the sound from the parades play, or download some traditional Mardi Gras music to use as the parade and party soundtrack.