| Mardi Gras is literally translated as "Fat Tuesday" and | | | | Creole style. |
| celebrates the night before Ash Wednesday when | | | | At the bar, include some spicy red wines and even |
| Lent starts. While it's not necessarily a religious | | | | some Hurricanes, Sloe Gin Fizz and maybe an Old |
| celebration, it is usually and epic event. Mardi Gras is a | | | | Fashioned. You might want to try your own signature |
| great symbol of a decadent party. This theme lends | | | | cocktail in one of the bright Mardi Gras colors. Have |
| itself easily to parties and events of all occasions. It | | | | plenty of water on hand, too, to re-hydrate thirsty |
| doesn't have to be February to celebrate in this | | | | revelers. |
| decadent style. Turn your next party into a Mardi Gras | | | | Costumes |
| spectacular with just a few fun elements. | | | | Most parades include lavish costumes. Get your |
| Invitations | | | | guests in the swing of the things with a Mardi Gras |
| A hallmark of the celebration is the lavish costumes. | | | | costume party. Invite your guests to dress up and get |
| Many dress in masks, beads, feathers. You'll also see | | | | into the party mood. Costumes can be an important |
| plenty of the signature colors - purple, green and gold. | | | | party of the party décor and mood. Be |
| Make your party invitations just as lavish with these | | | | prepared with lots of feathers and masks. And get |
| accents and much more. After you get all of the | | | | your party invitations in the mail early, so your guests |
| relevant party information in there, add some bright | | | | have time to get their outfits together. |
| feathers, a string of beads or even a swatch of silk | | | | Entertainment |
| fabric for a great Mardi Gras accent. Let your guests | | | | It's probably not likely that you'll have a Mardi Gras |
| know right away how you'll be celebrating with a big, | | | | parade for your party. Instead make your music and |
| bright decadent party invitation. | | | | entertainment as lively as possible. Pick out a loud |
| Menu | | | | Zydeco band to dance the night away. Or you might |
| Typically, a Mardi Gras menu is in the Cajun style. You'll | | | | find some stilt walkers or jesters to entertain your |
| want to make sure you have foods that everyone will | | | | guests. Whatever Mardi Gras entertainment you |
| enjoy, but you'll also want to spice it up a bit. | | | | choose, you're bound to have a wild time. |
| Jambalaya is a spicy Creole dish with rice, sausage | | | | Take your cues from the fun and lavish style of |
| and chicken. Red beans and dirty rice can take some | | | | traditional Mardi Gras. Fat Tuesday celebrates one last |
| of the heat off of those dishes for more sensitive | | | | decadent celebration before the start of Lent on Ash |
| palates. Cajun food is big on spice and on shellfish - | | | | Wednesday so take advantage of the self-indulgent |
| shrimp, oysters and crab are all big hits. For dessert | | | | party and go wild. It doesn't need to be February to |
| pick bananas foster or bread pudding to stay in the | | | | celebrate Mardi Gras. |