Party Themes - Mardi Gras

New Orleans Style Invitation Each
Our Magic Of Mardi Gras Black Invitations are a stylish way to announce the big night. These 5 1/2" high x 4 1/4" wide black foil-brite invitations are great for your Bourbon Street theme. Add up to nine lines of wording on the front of the invitation and choose from either metallic silver or gold imprint color. Includes a black envelope with either a silver or gold pencil.


New Orleans Style Invitation Each

Beads Of Love Invitation Each
Our Mardi Gras Bead Necklace Invitation gives beads of love to your guests. Each invitation includes a 32" long string of beads in metallic purple, gold or green and a 2 1/2" wide plastic medallion. Includes six lines of wording on the front of the medallion and four lines on its back. One color imprints come in any standard ink color. Easy assembly. Not intended for use by children 12 and under.


Beads Of Love Invitation Each
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Mardi Gras Invitation by southerngirly
See other announcements and invites on zazzle


BURNING THE CARNIVAL by bulgan_lumini
See more Winter Invitations

Mardi Gras by RossCustomGraphics
View other Mardi gras Invitations


Mardi Gras Beads & Green Feather Mask by donnabellas
Browse Mardi gras Invitations .

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The Colors of Mardi Gras

The Colors of Mardi Gras are Purple, Green and Gold. Many wonder where the colors originated from.

It is told that Rex, the King of Carnival, selected the Mardi Gras colors and assigned meaning to them in 1892.

Purple stands for Justice,

Green stands for Faith,

and

Gold stands for Power

Greet your guests at the door with beads and a mask for each of them. How fun for everyone to wear a mask, and reveal who they are at a certain point in the night!




Encourage Mardi Gras themed costumes in your invitation, or make it a Ball and then have a costume contest. Give out different types of prizes, best dressed, most Mardi Gras spirit, the funniest costume can receive a jester hat. Have fun with it.




Elect a King and Queen of Bourbon Street, or pick names out of a hat, then crown them. This can encourage dancing as you have the King and Queen do the first dance.




Start your party off with Mardi Gras Trivia.

Have each guest try to guess the definition of each of the following; (Hint: Hand out typed sheets with just the item on it that they need to define. Have each person read their definition until someone gets it right. It will be hilarious fun to hear each of their thoughts on what each means)

BALL
(bal masque, tableau ball)
A masked ball in which scenes representing a specific theme are enacted for the entertainment of the club members and their guests; krewe "royalty" is traditionally presented during the ball.

BOUEF GRAS
(French)
The fatted bull or ox, the ancient symbol of the last meat eaten before the Lenten season of fasting; a live version was presented in the Rex parade until 1909; a papier mache' version appeared in 1959 and continues as one of Carnival's most recognizable symbols.

CAPTAIN
The absolute leader of each Carnival organization.

CARNIVAL
From the Latin carnivale, loosely translated as "farewell to flesh"; the season of merriment in New Orleans which begins annually on January 6, the Twelfth Night (the feast of the Epiphany), and ends at midnight on Fat Tuesday; the Carnival season leads up to the penitential season of Lent in which fasting replaces feasting.

COURT
The King, Queen, maids, and dukes of a Carnival organization.

DEN
A large warehouse where floats are built and stored.

DOUBLOONS
Aluminum coin-like objects bearing the krewe's insignia on one side and the parade's theme on the reverse; first introduced by Rex in 1960 and created by New Orleans artist H. Alvin Sharpe; doubloons are also minted and sold in .999 silver, bronze and cloisonne'.

FAT TUESDAY
Fat Tuesday is also known as Shrove Tuesday, the last day before Lent: it is a day of merry-making and carnival, as in New Orleans, often marking the climax of a carnival period.

FAVOR
A souvenir, given by krewe members to friends attending the ball, normally bearing the organization's insignia, name and year of issue.

FLAMBEAUX
(plural)
Naphtha-fueled torches, traditionally carried by white-robed black men; in the past century, flambeaux provided the only source of nighttime parade illumination.

INVITATION
A printed request for attendance at a Carnival ball; in the 19th century, many invitations were die-cut and printed in Paris; today, most are printed in New Orleans; invitations are non-transferable and it is improper to ever refer to them as "tickets."

KING CAKE
An oval, sugared pastry that contains a plastic doll hidden inside; the person who finds the doll is crowned "king" and buys the next cake or throws the next party; the king cake season opens on King's Day, January 6, the feast of the Epiphany. Nearly 500,000 king cakes are annually consumed in the metro New Orleans area during the Carnival season.

KREWE
The generic term for all Carnival organizations in New Orleans, first used by the Mistick Krewe of Comus which coined the word in 1857 to give its club's name an Old English flavor.

MARDI GRAS
French for Fat Tuesday, the single-day culmination of the Carnival season.

MARDI GRAS INDIANS
Groups of black men in New Orleans who portray American Indians and are magnificently outfitted with handmade beaded and feathered costumes; this Carnival custom dates to the mid-19th century among the more renowned tribes are the Wild Tchopitoulas, the Yellow Pocahontas and the Wild Magnolia.

THROWS
Inexpensive trinkets tossed from floats by costumed and masked krewe members; among the more popular items are krewe-emblemed aluminum doubloons, plastic cups and plastic medallion necklaces.




Have each guest create their own mask. Before the party have cardboard cutout masks, glitter, glue, sequins, ribbons and feathers on hand. Incourage creativity and fun!




In true Mardi Gras Style create a Bead toss, or Doubloons toss. Use your imagination to make it fun for all.




Please make sure their are designated drivers for all guests that are drinking, have fun, expect the unexpected, and take lots of fun pictures that you can blow up for next year!

Mardi Gras Mask Curtain Each
Hang this curtain from doorways as a fun Mardi Gras decoration for any Mardi Gras themed event. The door curtain features two Mardi Gras masks and green, gold, and purple metallic curtains. 10' high x 2 1/2' wide.


Mardi Gras Mask Curtain Each

11 1/2" Metallic Curtain Column Purple/geach
Lighted Wire Lamp Arch This 9' 6" high x 7' wide metal arch features a lamppost design. Easy assembly. Metallic Curtain Columns The 8' high x 11 1/2" wide metal curtain column displays a purple, green, and gold curtain. Easy assembly. Night on Bourbon Street Mural Combine these three freestanding cardboard murals to create a 7' 3" high x 9' 3" wide scene. Assembly required. Night on Bourbon Street Silhouettes These black cardboard figure include two party goers decorated with beads and streamers. Each is 7' 2" high x 3' 5" wide. Assembly required. City Street Lights Each 6' high plastic lampost is lighted by battery candle. Easy assembly. Night on Bourbon Street Pedestals no longer available City Lights Skyline The 8' high x 12' wide freestanding cardboard skyline shines with twinkle lights. Assembly required.

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What kind of Food should be served at a Mardi Gras Party?

Mardi Gras Beverages:
Hurricane
Mardi Gras Punch
Mint Julep

The Mardi Gras Basics:
Roux
Stock
Remoulade Sauce

Hors d'eourve:
Crab Cakes
Oysters

Mardi Gras Desserts:
Chocolate Doberge cake
Creole Bread Pudding
King Cake
King Cake Icing
Pecan Pralines

Mardi Gras Entrees:
Nicole's Kickin' Creole Chicken
Gator's Corn Beef & Cabbage
Crawfish Etouffee
Dirty Rice
Granny's Gumbo
Voodoo Jambalaya
Ragin' Cajun Red Beans & Rice
Shrimp Creole
Swampy Seafood-Stuffed Bell Peppers
Stuffed crawfish Heads

A great website with all these recipes is at:

Mardi Gras Day Recipes

Mardi Gras Ball Oval Mask Each
Accent your Mardi Gras dance floor with this Mardi Gras Oval Mask. Each free-standing cardboard Mardi Gras Oval Mask is 7 ft. high x 5 ft. wide. The Mardi Gras Oval Mask is perfect for your Mardi Gras or Bourbon Street themed event. Easy assembly.See this ShindigZ Mardi Gras decoration and others in the Video section on the 2/24/09 broadcast of The Ellen DeGeneres Show:


Mardi Gras Ball Oval Mask Each



Custom Creation Square Column Mardi Gras Each
Add the Custom Creation Mardi Gras Arch & Columns to your Mardi Gras party supplies. The Custom Creation Mardi Gras Arch & Columns are spectacular party decorations for any Mardi Gras theme party. Create fun, memorable photo settings for birthdays, school or corporate events and more.Custom Creation Octagon Mardi Gras Column Jazz up your Bourbon Street Soiree with our Custom Creation Octagon Mardi Gras Columns.

Custom Creation Square Column Mardi Gras Each



Mardi Gras Mambo Balloon Stand Each
Mardi Gras Mambo ArchThis vibrant archway embodies the true spirit of Mardi Gras! The printed cardboard and corrugate arch is 10' high x 12' wide x 12' deep and features gossamer, three printed masks, and fringe accents.

Mardi Gras Mambo Balloon Stand Each

Mardi Gras Mask Arch Each
In festive Mardi Gras style, this cardboard arch features printed columns and a jester arch. Mardi Gras Arch is 8 ft. high x 4 ft. wide. Easy assembly. Not intended for outdoor use


Mardi Gras Mask Arch Each



Mardi Gras Giant Decorating Kit Each
This Mardi Gras decorating kit transforms any room easily by simply hanging the plastic room roll with removable adhesive. Each Mardi Gras decorating kit comes in a roll that measures 4' h x 12' l. The four Mardi Gras add on shapes shown are included.


Mardi Gras Giant Decorating Kit Each

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What kind of Music should I play at my Mardi Gras Party?

A party without music is like New Orleans without the French Quarter--incomplete! Get ready to boogie to the sounds of the Carnival Season if you put on Mardi Gras Music! What kind of music is that you ask? Jazz of course, a New Orleans brass band or Zydeco music works great! Play it throughout the party for a festive effect!

Moonlight Mariposa Q-15 Quinceañera Dress Q368
Quinceañera dresses by Moonlight Bridal, this is from the Mariposa Q15 collection, style Q368. No one knows what you are looking for in Sweet 16 or Quinceañera gowns better than Moonlight Mariposa Q-15. And no one knows what you need to complete your outfit than we do. Let us be your ONE STOP shopping destination for completing your ensemble. We carry a huge selection of shoes, handbags, jewelry, foundation garments, tiaras, everything to make your look uniquely your own. Spectacular Iridescent Taffeta gown. Halter v-neckline with a lace up back to help with fitting the bodice with Basque waist. Dramatic beaded embroidery along the center seam with shirring to the center. The ball gown skirt has a quilted look with evenly space bead embellished tucks. Shawl included. Also shown with gown Q378. Shown in Dark Green.


Moonlight Mariposa Q-15 Quinceañera Dress Q368

Mardi Gras Beads Pkg/144
Mardi Gras BeadsToss Beads are a wonderful Mardi Gras tradition. Use them as fun favors worn around the neck, colorful table decorations or items to toss from your New Orleans parade float! Choose these favors in 24" assorted color necklaces that snap apart or white beads come in 48" continuous strands of plastic pearls. Not intended for use by children 12 and under.


Mardi Gras Beads Pkg/144



Jumbo Mardi Gras Beads
These super large beads will be a super addition to your Mardis Gras or Carnival costume. Green, purple and gold beads are featured.


Jumbo Mardi Gras Beads


Mardi Gras Plastic Coins Asst. (Bag of 100)

Sequin Mask On A Stick Pkg/12
Have plenty of fun masks on hand for all of your guests with this sparkling assortment of sequened masks on sticks. 8" x 10". Pkg. of 12. Not intended for use by children 12 and under.


Sequin Mask On A Stick Pkg/12



Mardi Gras Small Feather Masks Pkg/4
These Mardi Gras Feather Masks will liven up your Mardi Gras Masquerade. Each 5 1/2 inch x 10 inch Mardi Gras Feather Masks is accented with feathers and sequins. Mardi Gras Feather Masks are available in assorted designs.


Mardi Gras Small Feather Masks Pkg/4