How to Make a Mardi Gras Costume Mantle

Mardi Gras, also known as Fat Tuesday, is a carnival celebrated primarily in New Orleans, Louisiana and other southern states. It's a time of celebration on the day before Ash Wednesday, which is the first day of Lent. In areas that celebrate Mardi Gras, it's common to decorate for the season. Reveler commonly decorate their mantles with Mardi Gras costume decorations, which include lights, beads and wreaths.

Things You'll Need

• String of white Christmas lights
• Mardi Gras beads
• Styrofoam wreath
• Colored ribbon (purple, green and gold)
• Hot glue gun
• Carnival masks

Instructions

1. Intertwine purple, green and gold Mardi Gras beads with a strand of ordinary white Christmas tree lights. Purple, green and gold are the colors of Mardi Gras "royalty" which are the Kings and Queens who preside over different Krewes every year.

2. Drape the lights and beads across the width of the mantle.

3. Cut six 2-foot lengths of purple, green and gold ribbon. Use the hot glue gun to stick one end first ribbon to the Styrofoam wreath. Wrap the ribbon around the body of the wreath, working your way around the perimeter. Affix the other end of the ribbon with the glue gun. Continue adhering and alternating the different colors until the wreath is completely covered. Place the wreath in the center of the mantle as a centerpiece. Use the lights and beads to hold the wreath in place.

4. Place a carnival mask at each end of the mantle, using the beads and lights to support them and hold them upright.

5. Plug the lights in to light up the Mardi Gras costume mantle display.

References

• Masking and Madness: Mardi Gras in New Orleans; Kerri McCaffety
• Mard Gras Day: Party Decorations