Things You'll Need:
- Beads, beads and more beads.
- Cajun food
- Boas, masks, costumes
- New Orleans style music
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Step 1
Decorate with the colors of Mardi Gras; purple, gold and green. String beads everywhere. Hang streamers and put feather masks on the table and hang with ribbon.
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Step 2
Tell your guest to come dressed in costumes. Greet them at the door with a string of beads.
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Step 3
Set the mood with New Orleans style music from musicians such as Joe "King" Oliver, Al Hirt, Chris Tyle, Eddie Condon and Louis Armstrong.
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Step 4
Beads, Beads and more Beads. In New Orleans it's a tradition to throw beads off a balcony. Throw beads off your deck. Hang them in the trees. You can purchase beads in bulk online at emardigrasbeads.com, orientaltrading.com and mardigrastrading.com. 100 bead necklaces for under $20.00.
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Step 5
Have a costume parade. Award prizes such as feather masks and boas for funniest, most elaborate and most unusual etc. costumes. If you are having a childrens party have the children decorate paper plate masks with markers, beads, feathers and sparkles. Adults may enjoy this activity too :)
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Step 6
Serve cajun food, shrimp etouffee, crawfish chowder and more. Finish the evening with bananas foster and king cake. A king cake has a tiny plastic baby inside and the one who finds it is said to have good luck for the year. See resources for recipes.
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Step 7
Make pralines. When guests leave give them a little basket or gift bag of this chocolate confection. A sweet treat to remind your guests of the great time they had at the Mardi Gras Party!
