Mardi Gras is the celebration of Carnival, the final festivity before the season of Lent. While the Carnival season starts on February 6th, Fat Tuesday is the last hoorah before the fasting and sacrifices of the Lenten season. Mardi Gras, which is the French translation of Fat Tuesday, takes place on February 17th.
The season of Lent is associated with Christians, but Mardi Gras is a celebration everyone can participate in. If you are planning to celebrate Fat Tuesday at your house, check out some of these fun party ideas.
FOOD
Pancakes and Paczkis (powdered, filled fried dough) are a staple at a Mardi Gras feast. Traditionally in European countries such as England and Poland, this was a great way to empty your pantry of ingredients like fats, butter and sugar before the start of Lent. You can balance out the sugary meal by adding fresh fruits and vegetables in the recognized Mardi Gras colors of purple, yellow and green. Other options for Fat Tuesday might include traditional New Orleans dinners like gumbo, jambalaya and po’ boys. Finish the feast off with some Hurricane mocktails.
CRAFTS
Masks and crowns are a popular craft for Mardi Gras. Why not make a game of it? Using the rules of the Cootie game, players roll a dice to get the craft items like feathers, beads or felt to decorate their mask or crown. Another craft option is a personalized mosaic monogram that can be created by gluing beads to a wooden or paper initial. Designing mini parade floats is yet another way to use your creativity. Start with shoe boxes or small shipping boxes and decorate with tissue paper, sequins and other craft supplies. Have the partygoers vote on the best one.
GAMES
For our family, no celebration is complete without games. The Cajun French Mardi Gras phrase, “Laissez les bons temps rouler,” translates to “Let the good times roll.” Partygoers can play a simple dice game like Pig, where players add up their rolled die score until they say stop or roll a one. Other dice games include Farkel, Tenzi or Quixx. Minute to Win It games can easily be adapted to fit a Mardi Gras party. We like Bead Separation Anxiety, Necklace Drop, Doubloons Flip and Supercoin (See website more details.)
KINGS CAKE
It’s not Mardi Gras without King Cake. While you can buy one from a supermarket, it is also fun to bake one yourself. A King Cake is a mix between a coffee cake and a cinnamon roll and iced with green, yellow and purple frosting. You will find many great recipes on Pinterest. A plastic baby is placed inside the King Cake and traditionally, the person who gets their slice with the baby inside is said to have a year filled with luck and prosperity.
PHOTO BOOTH
Mardi Gras is such a fun, colorful celebration and should be captured in a photo booth. Have the party goers wear their decorated masks and crowns plus dress up items including beads and feathers and pose for silly pictures. Photo booth signs can be found on Etsy to print on your own or for purchase at local party stores. Mardi Gras backdrops are available online at Amazon or Oriental Trading. A less expensive background option can be created from fairy lights, balloons or streamers in purple, green and yellow.
GIFT BAGS
If you would like to include gift bags for your guests, fill a party bag with beads, stickers, chocolate coins, play dough, glow sticks, temporary tattoos, colorful sunglasses and even noisemakers (the other parents will love you!).
