Mardi Gras Party Ideas - "Laissez le bon temps rouler!" (Let the good times roll!)

Mardi Gras party ideas are used to celebrate Mardi Gras (or Fat Tuesday), the final day of Carnival (the three-day period before the beginning of Lent) which this year falls on 16th February 2010.

Mardi Gras is celebrated in many countries of the World with Brazil, Rio De Janiro and New Orleans having the largest celebrations.

Although Mardi Gras is celebrated the World over, in the UK, however, on the same day we have Shrove Tuesday where we celebrate with pancakes.

If you want to make the day a bit more fun why not celebrate with carnival party ideas such as streamers, costumes, balloons, food, music and, of course, plenty of fun!

There are many Mardi Gras party themes. Why not try one of the following:

Carnival - Have a fiesta with bright colors, masks, streamers and some great party spirit.
A Jazz or Blues Party - Set up and band and celebrate Mardi Gras with some music, exactly what Mardi Gras is about!
Spooky Fiesta - A murder mystery party.
A Masquerade Ball - Perfect for a night time celebration.
Brazil, Rio di Janeiro or New Orleans Party - A party based around the Mardi Gras capitals of the world!

INVITATIONS

Mardi Gras party ideas for invitations need to be bright, colorful and fun. How about making your very own Mardi Gras party invitation ideas in the form of Mardi Gras masks.

Start with some colored card of your choice and cut into the shape of a masquerade mask. Cut out eye holes then write the party details on the back of the mask:

"Get into the Carnival spirit and dance, dance dance!

Come parade with us on (date and time of party) where we will party, party, party!

Come celebrate Mardi Gras in style with plenty of food, jazz and heaps of carnival spirit!"

Then decorate with brightly colored feathers, sequins and glitter and attach a drinking straw or small wooden stick to the side for the guest to hold.

If you want to make some easy but professional looking invites then the Pink Heaven Party Angel recommends creating extraordinary free digital invitations in minutes at Smilebox.com! You can even add your own photos, video clips and music.

DECORATIONS

To get everyone in the carnival spirit here are some Mardi Gras party ideas for decorations:

Mardi Gras is all about colorful party decoration ideas so make sure that you have plenty. Streamers, brightly colored flowers, balloons, banners and ribbons should be used in abundance to recreate a parade theme!

Get everyone in the party spirit by playing plenty of Mardi Gras music such as Jazz, Blues or Cajun!
In typical New Orleans style, use Bourbon bottles filled with brightly colored flower for centerpieces.
Use large cardboard cut out characters such as jesters, Queens and Kings and place them around the room.
Make and decorate large masquerade masks and crowns and hang them on the walls or use a Mardi Gras wall mural. Also hang up some foil fringe drape to inject some color into the room.
Using smaller cut out masks and crowns thread a string through two of each and hang from the ceiling as streamers.
Beads are also popular on for Carnival party ideas. Why not hang up a beaded door curtain?
Use a gold tablecloth on the food table and team it with green and purple party ware or a Mardi Gras deluxe party kit.
Also use some masquerade confetti to scatter on the tables.

PARTY COSTUMES

Any brightly coloured Mardi Gras costumes are acceptable but at carnival time anything goes. Mardi Gras party ideas for fancy dress could include:

Mardi Gras Queen
Jester
Pirates
Clowns
Fairytale Characters
Venetian Princess
Superheros
Cartoon Fancy Dress

Just make sure everyone has their own mask and feather boa!

FOOD AND DRINK

Carnival is not only about dancing and dressing up here are some delicious Mardi Gras party ideas for food served on some Mardi Gras trays:

Carnival style buffet - including shrimp canapes and sauteed fresh mushrooms.
Cajun and Creole delights - plenty of fish and gumbo!
Jambalaya
Bloody Marys and Sangrita for the adults only!

Remember no Mardi Gras celebration is complete without a King Cake, a traditional Cajun and Creole cake. Whoever makes the cake has to put a small baby doll in one slice of the cake then whoever finds it must make next years cake!

ENTERTAINMENT

There is always plenty to do during Carnival season, mainly watching the parade and floats, but here are some Mardi Gras party ideas for entertainment you can use in your party:

Masks - Have everyone make a Mardi Gras mask (using paper plates & other basic supplies).
Throw Beads - A traditional Mardi Gras tradition is for beads (or throws) to be thrown from the floats for people to catch them! The guest who catches the most should get a prize.
Face Painting - Clowns, Jesters or just the Mardi Gras colors of gold, purple and green.
Dress Up - Get together some old clothes with some funky new accessories and place in the middle of the floor. Turn the lights off and everyone has to grab and put on at least one item of clothing or accessory.
Limbo - How low can you go in this popular game, try and give it twist with this Carnival party idea - instead of a limbo pole use a long string of beads held tightly at either end.
Pinata - Always a popular party game with this Mardi Gras drum pinata
Fancy Dress Competition - The host of the party gets to choose the best Mardi Gras costume and the winner gets a prize.
Float Making - Decorate the family car as a float or if that's not possible just get the kids making miniature floats from craft materials.
Parade - If there is not a Carnival parade going on in your area, why not start one? Get the kids all dressed up and parade the streets singing, dancing and getting everyone in on the fun!

FAVORS

Give everyone a little something to remember the occasion by with these Mardi Gras party ideas for party favors:

Feather boa
Personalized chocolate
Mardi Gras beads (throws) or for the adults a shot glass on beads!
Crown or tiara
Party horns
Mardi Gras leis (garlands)
Jester party wand
Jester or Mardi Gras merchandise such as candles, key rings etc.

Remember whatever your Mardi Gras party ideas, as the people of New Orleans say:

"Laissez le bon temps rouler!"

Remember, if you can't find what you are looking for here then why not ask the Pink Heaven Party Angel, who is there to answer all your party questions. Or why not help others with their party planning problems by answering their questions!

Then once you've thrown your party let everyone know about it at YOUR parties, readers can then rate your party and give their comments. Your party could then help others searching for the perfect party idea, whilst giving your ideas the fame they deserve!

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