| Mardi Gras is a festival leading up to Lent. The last | | | | to any theme party. Make copies of famous places in |
| night of Mardi Gras, called Fat Tuesday, is the biggest | | | | New Orleans and hang them around the room or |
| night to party before Lent. Many people give up their | | | | house you are celebrating in. |
| favorite things for lent, so the night before they stock | | | | If attending a town parade, or the activities that go |
| up and splurge on them. | | | | along with parades, is not possible, hand out beads to |
| If you can't make it to New Orleans, the traditional site | | | | everyone. Have a mini-parade down your street or in |
| of the biggest Mardi Gras festival, make your own! A | | | | the backyard. Wearing colorful beads and a frilly hat |
| party supply store has everything a person needs to | | | | you'll look like any pro Mardi Gras attendee. Play Jazz |
| plan and decorate for a Mardi Gras theme. | | | | music in the background and you won't even know |
| Send out invitations shaped like a mask. They also | | | | you didn't make it to Louisiana to celebrate. |
| have motifs with Mardi Gras designs and using the | | | | Food served at a Mardi Gras festival includes King |
| colors. Mardi Gras colors are usually purple, green and | | | | Cake and Paczki. Any dish with Cajun spices, shrimp |
| gold, but you can use whatever colors you like. Paper | | | | or gumbo also works. Have guests bring a dish to |
| products to match are plates, cups, silverware and | | | | pass to make your preparation time easier. Alcohol is |
| napkins. | | | | also a big part of Fat Tuesday, so concoct come new |
| Decorations can include hanging the black masks worn | | | | drink recipes or have the guest bring a bottle of alcohol |
| by party revelers from New Orleans. Wall hangings, | | | | and create a new one. |
| balloons and streamers also add a festive atmosphere | | | | |