Mardi Gras

Celebrate Mardi Gras New Orleans style with all you need from Zurchers! In Louisiana, the fun begins a few days before "Fat Tuesday".

Fat Tuesday is the last chance to party before "Ash Wednesday" which is always 40 days prior to Easter and is the beginning of Lent--that time before Easter when a person "gives something up for Lent".

What's given up for Lent is often meat but it could be just about anything that is a sacrifice. Basically, Mardi Gras is just a chance for a big party before Lent begins!

Invitations and Decor

Set the mood for your Mardi Gras party by sending invitations written on the back side of your guests very own Mardi Gras mask. Then get your home ready by decking it out with lots of purple, green, and gold decorations.

Activities

At a Mardi Gras celebration there is always a king and a queen. Bestow this honor on yourself and a friend, or on your first guests to arrive at the party. Present the king with a Mardi Gras crown and the queen with her own feather boa!

No Mardi Gras celebration is complete without a parade. Make it as simple or extravagant as you want but be sure to throw lots and lots of Mardi Gras Beads and Mardi Gras coins as well.

Teach your guests to yell, "Throw me somethin' mister". The louder they yell, the more beads they will receive.

Traditionally, whomever finds the baby in their piece has to provide the king cake at the next party. Your "winner" could receive a variety of prizes stuffed in a Mardi Gras wine glasses. Or, give the winner a Cajun CD that has songs like "Mardi Gras Mumbo" on it.

Joie de vivre! (Enjoy life!)