| It shouldn't be stressful or overwhelming to plan a good | | | | Tip # 3 |
| Mardi Gras theme party. After all, parties are | | | | Concentrate on Mardi Gras specific items. Frankly, you |
| supposed to be fun - even the pre-party planning! This | | | | can pull off a great Carnival themed party with red |
| article explores a few ways to make your party prep | | | | plates and orange cups as long as you go heavy on |
| a bit easier. | | | | the Mardi Gras beads and masks. Other ways to bring |
| Tip # 1 | | | | the feel of New Orleans to your party is to play jazz |
| Get party kits. One really easy way to go is to find kits | | | | and/or Zydeco music and have plenty of delicious |
| that put together all the theme items you need. For | | | | Cajun dishes available. Usually when people think of |
| example, you can find Fat Tuesday plates, napkins, | | | | what makes Louisiana so different from the rest of |
| balloons, cups, crepe paper and plastic utensils all in one | | | | the United States it is the food and music. And if you |
| package. The only downside to this is you may prefer | | | | have a King Cake - a dessert made just for Mardi |
| a different style cup, for instance, but since it is part of | | | | Gras - you will definitely make your guests feel they |
| the package you can't switch it out. | | | | are in the French Quarter. |
| Tip # 2 | | | | Whichever way you want to go for planning your |
| Focus on the colors. Carnival colors are purple, gold | | | | party - whether it's to buy kits for easy shopping, |
| and green. You can have a very simple yet elegant | | | | focus on the colors and/or get a few Fat Tuesday |
| look to your party if you focus on just those colors. | | | | specific items - everything is available online. You do |
| You can find plain plates, napkins, crepe paper and | | | | not have to worry about going from store to store |
| balloons and more in each of those colors and then | | | | trying to find everything you need. |
| mix and match as you choose. | | | | |