Mardi Gras is a celebratory season that is held just before the season of Lent starting on the 12th day after Christmas (Epiphany) and ending on the day before Ash Wednesday.
Mardi Gras means "Fat Tuesday" in French and is usually celebrated primarily on the day before Lent, which is always on a Wednesday, thus the Fat Tuesday name.
In celebration of Mardi Gras, consider having a Mardi Gras party or decorating your home for the occasion.
Here are some design items to consider when decorating for Mardi Gras.
Purple, Green, and Gold Color Scheme
Purple, green, and gold (especially metallic versions of those colors) are the traditional colors of Mardi Gras.
You can decorate your home with anything purple, green, and gold - including confetti, candles, wreaths, floral arrangements, streamers, wreaths, and table cloths.
Decorating for Mardi Gras with items that contain all 3 colors is appreciated.
Since Mardi Gras celebrations are a bit over-the-top, don't hold back on the decor. It is nearly impossible to have too much.
Any part of your home can be decorated - your mailbox, garden, front door, staircase, entryway, dining table, fireplace mantel, kitchen, bedroom, back porch, etc.
Feel free to create your own unique Mardi Gras decor that suits your personality and interests.
Mardi Gras Beads and Gold Doubloon Coins
Mardi Gras beads and doubloon coins are an essential part of any Mardi Gras celebration.
Beads and coins are typically thrown from floats during Mardi Gras parades for the spectators to take home as gifts.
You can decorate for Mardi Gras with basic metallic plastic beads or larger more dramatic beads to help set a party atmosphere.
Mardi Gras doubloons can be generic with typical Mardi Gras symbols or they can commemorate various Mardi Gras Krewes with custom markings.
For a more elegant and refined look, avoid decorating with cheap plastic beads or coins that are non-metallic.
Common decorative uses for Mardi Beads and doubloon coins is used as a napkin ring, scattered on a dining table, tucked in a hurricane vase between a candle and the glass (ensure the candle does not melt the beads and coins), attached to a wreath, hug from a chandelier, at the base of a plant, used as a garland decorating a fireplace mantel, hung from a fence or trees, glued to empty wine bottles, or layered in a clear vase.
Mardi Gras beads and other Mardi Gras accessories are available at party supply stores, specialty retailers, or Amazon.com #ad.
Fleur de Lis
Fleur de Lis is a french word meaning lily flower. It is a symbol of France and french traditions.
Since Mardi Gras celebrations came to the United States from France, the French Fleur de Lis icon is a common symbol of Mardi Gras.
New Orleans is the most popular Mardi Gras party location in the United States and the New Orleans flag has 3 Fleur de Lis symbols on it.
You can decorate your home for Mardi Gras with Fleur de Lis to add french flair to your Mardi Gras celebration.
Fleur de Lis items can be found at most any local store or online.
Masks, Harlequins, and Alligators
Masks, harlequins, and alligators are common symbols used to decorate for Mardi Gras.
Decorative masks adorned with sequins, feathers, jewels, glitter, and other sparkly items are popular decorative items.
You can purchase masks for your guests to wear, ask guests to bring their own masks, or display them on the wall or a table.
Harlequins, which are pantomime clowns dressed in diamond patterned costumes, are a common feature of Mardi Gras celebrations.
Alligators are common in and around the New Orleans area. Alligator shaped decor is common in Louisiana, which includes Mardi Gras.
King Cake
King Cakes are named after the three kings who brought baby Jesus gifts and are a great addition to your Mardi Gras decor.
King Cakes have a little plastic baby inside the cake and the person who gets the baby in their slice of cake gets the honor of hosting the Mardi Gras party next year, or at least bringing the King Cake to the party.
King Cakes have a dough like a cinnamon roll that is baked in an oval doughnut shape.
They are often covered in icing, sometimes filled with something sweet like cream cheese or doughnut filling, and usually topped with sugar colored purple, green, and gold.
You can make one large king cake for your guests, or make smaller individual sized king cakes for everyone.
