Mardi Gras Parties on the Cheap

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<h1>Mardi Gras Parties on the Cheap</h1><strong> Author: <a href='http://www.articleseen.com/profile_Party CIty.aspx'>Party CIty</a></strong><br /><p>Maybe you've always wanted to experience the fun and history of Mardi Gras, but the prospect of battling boozy revelers in the Big Easy gives you pause. The good news is that you can have a family-oriented Mardi Gras party right in your own home, with a little ingenuity and the right Mardi Gras party supplies. INTRO TO MARDI GRAS In New Orleans, Mardi Gras kicks off on January 6, the twelfth day of Christmas, and is celebrated for an entire season. Festivities last until the actual day of Mardi Gras, which is always the day before Ash Wednesday. The idea is to have a raucous good time before Lent begins. Parades, parties, balls, and bright costumes denote the season. Most Mardi Gras tourists pull into town on the weekend before Fat Tuesday and carouse until the big day. MARDI GRAS DECORATIONS The familiar Mardi Gras colors of purple, green, and gold stand for justice, faith, and power. Purple, green, and gold streamers, balloons, centerpieces, and hanging decorations help to create a convincing Mardi Gras atmosphere. Tables can be embellished with Mardi Gras beads and confetti, colorful masks, and faux gold coins. MARDI GRAS ATTIRE In many ways, Mardi Gras resembles Halloween, and so just about any costume will do. Most people wear masks and - surprise, surprise - Mardi Gras beads, boas, glitter, feathers, face paint, and so on. Recently, New Orleans Saints football player and fan costumes have surged in popularity. Be sure to have extra masks and beads on hand for non-costumed party poopers. MARDI GRAS FOOD Your Mardi Gras fare should highlight typical Big Easy staples like red beans and rice, jambalaya, gumbo, and shrimp or crawfish etouffe. For dessert, try bananas foster, pecans, pralines and the traditional King Cake, a pastry monstrosity topped by purple, green, and gold sugar and baked with a plastic baby inside. Supposedly, whoever gets the baby will have good luck for the rest of the year and is obligated to host next year's Mardi Gras party, or at least make a King Cake for the event. MARDI GRAS DRINKS Hurricanes come to mind, especially the generous drinks served at Pat O'Brien's on Bourbon Street. Made of dark and light rum, orange and pineapple juice, and grenadine, they're fruity, fun, and potent. Sazeracs, a mixture of rye whiskey, bitters, sugar, absinthe or absinthe substitute, with a lemon twist, are considered to be the prototypical New Orleans cocktail, and will definitely make your Mardi Gras party memorable (or forgotten, depending on how many you drink). Also be sure to include Louisiana beer like Abita and Dixie. MARDI GRAS TUNES Stock the collection with plenty of jazz, zydeco, Cajun and Mardi Gras favorites like The Neville Brothers, Beau Soleil, Professor Longhair, and Fats Domino. Don't forget Louie Armstrong, be sure to throw in a little Dixieland, and you've got your play list. If you prefer the path of least resistance, opt for a Mardi Gras Party sampler CD. MARDI GRAS FOR THE YOUNG-UNS For starters, set out a punch bowl of alcohol-free Hurricanes for minors (and designated drivers). Make sure it's clearly marked! Most kids will be satisfied with your dessert options but other N'awlins favorites might be a bit piquant for their palettes, so make a batch of plain beans and rice for picky children and grown-ups. Next, set up a craft bench with inexpensive masks or construction paper cutouts, and lots of glue, glitter, feathers, decorative beads, ribbons, and markers. Kids can create their own unique Mardi Gras masks and be the little monarchs of the ball!</p><strong>About the Author:</strong><br />Party City is a major retailer of <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.partycity.com/category/holiday+parties/mardi+gras+party+supplies/masquerade+masks.do">masquerade masks</a>, <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.partycity.com/category/holiday+parties/mardi+gras+party+supplies/mardi+gras+masks.do">Mardi Gras masks</a>, <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.partycity.com/category/holiday+parties/mardi+gras+party+supplies/mardi+gras+beads.do">Mardi Gras beads</a>, and other specialty party supplies, operating more than 600 stores nationwide.<p> Article Source: <a href='http://www.articleseen.com/Article_Mardi-Gras-Parties-on-the-Cheap_48948.aspx'> http://www.articleseen.com/Article_Mardi Gras Parties on the Cheap_48948.aspx</a></p>

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Keywords : mardi gras, mardi gras party, ideas, costumes, masks, family, mardi gras ideas, mardi gras favors,

Category : Home and Family : Holidays