Mardi Gras Party Ideas, Invitations, Decorations, Menu, Favors, Hostess Gifts

Host a Fabulous Mardi Gras Party!

Cold winter weather shouldn’t hold us back from warm celebrations!! Consider hosting a Mardi Gras party! The celebration of Mardi Gras dates back to 1699 and is attributed to Louisiana’s French heritage. The name literally means “Fat Tuesday” and takes place on a date between February 3rd and March 9th, which is 47 days before Easter Sunday.

The idea is to eat, drink and party before the deprivations of Lent. The colors of Mardi Gras are dark purple for justice, green for faith, and gold for power. With all of this great information, it’s time for the party! (If a wild and crazy Mardi Gras party isn’t what you’re interested in, check the end of this article for a calmer approach to the holiday!!)

Invitations

Take a look at Polka Dot Design’s two piece die cut invitation featuring a Mardi Gras mask tied to a Hurricane cocktail with a green and white gingham bow! This invitation is SO FABULOUS that it will make you want to have a Mardi Gras party just to use this invitation! (polkadotdesign.com, $18/10 invites)
Announcing it offers a fun 5″ x 7″ card with a border composed of multiple strands of Mardi Gras beads (pictured above), and another card with a Mardi Gras mirror. Print these on your home computer! (announcingit.com)
Simple note cards in the requisite colors with a hand written invitation. For extra fun, slip the card into a cellophane bag and add a few strands of Mardi Gras beads!

Decorations

Decorating for this party is a breeze because the color scheme is already decided! Consider the following ideas:

Lots of metallic Mylar balloons
Clear containers of all shapes and sizes filled with Mardi Gras beads. Order from orientaltrading.com. You’ll want to use the beads for decorations and have lots at the front door for guests to put on as they arrive.
Gold lame draped across your buffet or dining table.
Masks on sticks arranged in vases. (For an incredible array of masks featuring lights, sequins, feathers and more, go to mardigrasday.com.)

Music

Try New Orleans Brass Band music or Zydeco, especially Mardi Gras Mambo by Buckwheat Zydeco! Jazz is definitely the choice of the evening!

Menu

This menu is also traditional!

Hurricanes to drink
Seafood Gumbo
Red beans and rice
Jambalaya
Crab cakes
New Orleans pralines
King Cake - This is the traditional ring-shaped cake with a little plastic baby baked inside. The guest who gets the piece of cake with the baby inside agrees to host next year’s party! Order your cake right now from haydelbakery.com!

Favors

Chocolate coins, beads, and a mask - At Plum Party, you’ll find small felt gift bags decorated with Mardi Gras masks. Fill with chocolate coins, beads and a mask. (plumparty.com, $6)
Hurricane Drink Mix - Allow guests to bring a bit of celebration home with a decoratively packaged drink mix trimmed with a small wire whisk! (partysupplieshut.com, $9.40)
Call it a day with the beads and the masks you’ve already provided or buy an extra King cake and send guests home with a piece of cake wrapped in a cellophane bag.

A Mardi Gras Brunch

If a wild and crazy evening isn’t for you, consider hosting a Mardi Gras Jazz Brunch. Follow the ideas above for decor, invitations and favors, but consider this menu: