How to throw a great Mardi Gras party

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Lots of Beads
Mardi Gras decorations
snacks and drinks
friends that are ready to party

Step 1

You will first need to decide how many people that you plan to invite. Once you get an idea on how big your party will be you will need to decide when and where to host you party. You will need to send invitations about two weeks before the event to give every one proper time to make plans to be there and find a baby sitter, since Mardi Gras parties are mostly adult themed if you know what i mean ! You can choose to make the party a masquerade party where every one can dress up Mardi Gras Style . Just make sure you include this in the invitation. Some ideas for Mardi gras themed party invitations are attaching the invitation to a Mardi gras mask for the guest to wear to the party. Also you can put a strand of Mardi Gras beads , some confetti or a dobloon or two in the envelope. They sell Mardi Gras themed invitations at most party stores such as party city, or you can order them ahead of time from Oriental Trading company or any online party supply store.
Step 2

Now that you have decided how many people you will invite it is time to plan the food, drinks, decorations, games and party favors. The traditional colors for Mardi Gras are gold, green and purple. Most party stores have decorations for Mardi Gras themed partys during Mardi Gras time. Lots of decorations will make the party more exciting. Some ideas for decorations are of course lots of balloons in the Mardi Gras colors. On the tables you can place Mardi Gras confetti, beads for the guests to wear and throw, doubloons which are coins that are thrown from the floats during Mardi Gras, and feather masks for the guests to wear if they choose. Make sure you place some brightly colored table cloths on the tables because you are sure to have some spills with all of the excitement. My personal favorite is to hang a Bourbon street sign on the wall.
Step 3

The king cake is a bright colored cake with a trinket inside.

For food and drinks you can serve some traditional New Orleans fare. Such as crawfish, gumbo, jambalaya or etouffee. For drinks you can serve Hurricanes, Bloody Marys, Sangrita, or Merry Mary punch. Also no Mardi Gras party is incomplete without a King Cake. The cake is baked with a trinket inside, normally a small plastic baby. The guest who receives the piece of cake with the baby inside is said to have good look for the upcoming year. Also a King cake tradition is the person who receives the trinket should bring the king cake for the next years party!!
Step 4

Here are the Mardi Gras King and Queen !

Here are some ideas for some games and things to do to keep the guests entertained. You will need to choose some music for your party, Jazz, Cajun or Carribbean music will set the mood. You can choose to crown a King and Queen of your Mardi Gras party. You can choose the male and female who are best dressed for the occasion. You can purchase a King and Queens crown and sash or boa for the most honored guests to wear during the party. Also you can come up with some games or tricks for your guests to perform to earn some special strands of beads. You may do some limbo, or line up and have a parade to show of their costumes and award a prize for the best costume. You can also award a prize to the guest with the most beads at the end of the party. Some ideas for prizes are , some larger or more expensive strands of beads, a special mask or a CD of Mardi Gras music.
Step 5

Most of all be careful and have fun. Make sure everyone is safe and no one should leave the party if they have been drinking too heavily.

Have a safe and Happy Mardi Gras !!