Why Celebrate?
Mardi Gras begins on Twelfth Night (January 6) and ends on Fat Tuesday (the day before Lent). It is traditionally a time to celebrate and indulge before the traditional Catholic fasting. Since 1870, it has been customary to dress up in costumes and celebrate with food and drink. The closer it gets to Lent, the more frenzied the streets become.
Whether you're traveling to the Big Easy or throwing a party at your own house, after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, there's more reason than ever to celebrate the spirit and flavors of New Orleans.
Beads and Masks
Beads and doubloons, tossed from the floats of Mardi Gras parades, make perfect decorations. Colorful masks (the more elaborate the better) can be used as table décor or worn by guests. You can even involve the kids by hosting a mask-decorating party.
King Cake
A long-standing Mardi Gras tradition is that of the king cake. This ring-shaped treat is decorated with green, purple and gold, the colors of Mardi Gras. Baked into the cake is a tiny plastic baby. Tradition holds that the guest who gets the piece containing the baby has to host the party next year.
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