Tips for Planning a Great Mardi Gras Party

Mardi Gras, otherwise known as Fat Tuesday, is a great time to throw a party and to have some fun with family and friends. Here are some tips on making it a time to remember for years to come.

Every great party needs food and Mardi Gras is no exception. Cajun and creole food such as red beans and rice, gumbo, and jambalaya are extremely popular in New Orleans. About.com's Cajun Recipes and Creole Recipes for Mardi Gras has a great list of recipes to choose from to help you out. Never forget to include a king cake, a recipe can be found at Martha Stewart, in the menu because it is a historical Mardi Gras tradition.

Drinks should include alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages so that everyone has something to quench their thirst. For the alcoholic drinks, Mardi Gras Day.com has some great drink recipes for you to try out. Mock cocktails make great drinks for those non-alcholic drinkers and Monin has a whole list of drink ideas for your guests. Whatever you choose, make sure to have plenty of stock on hand so you do not run out. Also, remember to check that no guest drinks and drives at the end of the party in order to keep us all safe.

The main colors of Mardi Gras are green (represents faith), purple (represents justice), and gold (represents power). So use these colors as much as possible to make your party extra special. Baloons, and streamers help to add to the festive mood so place them around the room. You can set some pictures or posters of Mardi Gras celebrations on the walls if you are so inclined.

Masks can be either made or purchased for the party. Make sure to have some on hand in case one of our guests shows up without one. If you want to make one, Vat19.com has a step-by-step video to help you out. You can also hang some of them up for a nice decoration. No Mardi Gras party would be complete without plenty of beads for the guests. Get different colors and lengths so they last throughout the entire night.

A costume party contest is a great way to kickoff a night of partying. But if your guests are not in favor of it, play games instead. Have a dance contest if you think that it will help pump up the party. The important part is to entertain your guests, keep them happy, and make sure they have a great night. Music is an essential element to any party and MardiGrasDigest has a great list of songs to choose from. If none of them strike your fancy, play some music that you know your guests will enjoy.

So have a great party and remember that the best part about Mardi Gras is having fun.