Things You'll Need:
- Coconut
- Gold Paint
- Crown
- Mardi Gras music that can be turned on and off easily
- Fake coins
- Chocolate coins
- Bubble gum coins
- Real coins (optional)
- Mardi Gras beads
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Step 1
In the invitations, introduce the Krewe idea and ask families to think about a theme that their Krewe can use for costumes and a float.
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Step 2
Ask guests to bring an idea and/or special materials to decorate their own Mardi Gras parade float.
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Step 3
Ask your guests to arrive in their most outrageous or silliest costumes they can come up with in their chosen theme.
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Step 1
Traditional Mardi Gras colors are purple, gold and green. In choosing decorations for the party, you can't go wrong by incorporating these colors with balloons, crepe paper streamers, plates, cups, and utensils.
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Step 2
Traditional Mardi Gras symbols include feathers, masks, jesters, and crowns. Incorporate these into your decorations.
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Step 3
Most party goods stores offer a wide selection of Mardi Gras themed merchandise prior to Mardi Gras.
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Step 1
One of the highlights of Mardi Gras are the lavishly decorated floats that parade down the streets throwing beads and doubloons to spectators.
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Step 2
As you are waiting for everyone to arrive, give guests an hour to turn their wagon into a parade float.
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Step 3
Before the parade begins, pass out beads and candy for those on the float to throw at the spectators.
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Step 4
One person can lead the way with Mardi Gras music blaring from the boom box (representing the band). Lead the floats down the sidewalk or driveway and along a safe path.
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Step 5
Those not pulling the floats or riding in the floats can be the spectators. An alternative plan is to allow each float to have it's own "mini" parade and everyone else be the spectators.
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Step 1
Make a King Cake and decorate it with green and purple icing. Traditional king cakes are round have a bean or trinket baked in. The person that gets the bean or trinket in his cake is expected to host the party next year!
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Step 2
Relying upon some of the other celebrations for the day before Ash Wednesday. Serve pancakes in honor of Pancake Day and Shrove Tuesday. Fachnacht is a German tradition and features a special fried doughnut covered in cinnamon sugar.
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Step 1
Give each participant a plain mask with a popsicle stick glued as a handle to one side.
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Step 2
Instruct the guests to decorate with whatever materials are provided.
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Step 3
Allow the masks to dry.
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Step 1
Three games with a Mardi Theme are Golden Coconut, Bead Toss and Treasure Hunt
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Step 2
Before the party:
* Paint the coconut gold
* Cut holes into a box and decorate it for the bead toss.
* Hide the coins-all kinds in an area near the party. -
Step 3
Golden Coconut is played like Hot Potato. Have guests form a circle and give the coconut to one person. When the music plays the coconut is passed around the circle. When the music stop whoever is holding the golden coconut is out. Continue until one person is left. This person is crowned Mardi King/Queen.
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Step 4
Bead Toss is similar to a bean toss. If the participant can throw a set of beads into a hole they either win a prize or get to keep the beads. There are hundreds of variations to this game, just use your imagination.
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Step 5
The Treasure Hunt is similar to an Easter Egg Hunt, except the guests are looking for the coins that were hidden earlier. They get to keep the coins they find, be it real, candy, bubble gum or just a bauble.
