Mardi Gras 2013 is approaching quickly and while you may not
be taking a trip to the Big Easy, you can certainly celebrate with a party of
your own. Mardi Gras is all about music, dancing, culture, and simply letting
go and having a great time. What better way to celebrate these time-honored
traditions than with a Mardi Gras masquerade party? Read on to see our five
easy tips to guide you in planning the biggest bash of the year.
Pick a theme.
Mardi Gras, or in other parts of the world, Carnival, is a widely celebrated
occasion that is enjoyed by a variety of countries and cultures. The most
popular variations of Mardi Gras include Brazil’s celebration in Rio de Janeiro;
Carnevale in Venice, Italy; and, of course, the Mardi Gras that takes over the
French Quarter in New Orleans. You can add character to your Mardi Gras party
by recreating one of these major celebrations in your own hometown. By choosing
a theme, you can give your party the feel of an entirely different city and culture.
Send out invites. The
party of the year deserves to be announced in style. Electronic invites will do
the trick if you are looking for something quick and simple for a casual event.
If you’re hosting something on a grander scale, you can opt for a handmade or
formal invitation via traditional snail mail. We've pinned some of the cutest
invitation ideas on our
Bal Masque Pinterest board. Remember to incorporate
your theme into your invite and let everyone know if there is to be a dress code.
For example, you can have everyone come dressed as they would if they were part
of the parade, with
Mardi
Gras costumes and masks. Be sure to also briefly highlight anything special
you may have lined up for the evening, like a costume or mask contest. Lastly, let
everyone know if you’ll be providing masquerade masks or if it’s “BYOM.”
Choose the music. Choosing
the right music is very important for getting your guests in the right mood for
the evening. You may want to think about the scale of
your party and how you want the music to play in with the crowd. Create a
playlist based on the theme of your party. With your selection, you can
transport your guests to the streets of New Orleans with some Jazz or a party
in Brazil with some Samba. Regardless of the theme and genre, though, upbeat
and energetic is the way to go!
Food and drinks. To
allow guests to move around freely through the night, hors d’oeuvres are ideal.
Give guests a regional taste with Cajun-inspired recipes or Italian fare. Real
Simple has a
party food and beverage calculator
that makes planning extremely simple. Based on your estimate of attendees, you’ll
be able to figure out how much food and drink to provide, and then you can work
on your grocery list. A couple of varietals of wine and beer will satisfy most
of your guests, but if you’d like to provide cocktails, versatile liquor such
as Vodka or Rum and a few juices and soda can keep things lively throughout the
evening. Don’t forget the napkins, plates, cups and cutlery!
Decorations. Streamers, table cloths, and party décor are things
that are easily found at your local party store. For those extra special
touches, you can thank Pinterest and a slew of amazing DIY blogs for some incredible
(and free) Mardi Gras printables! Printables are great for labeling the food
and beverages and making them more accessible to your guests. You may want to
also consider a decorative backdrop in traditional Mardi Gras colors for your
bar and buffet areas to make the party more festive. For centerpieces, vases
decorated with flowers, feathers, beads and
masquerade
masks will fit perfectly with any Mardi Gras theme.
Now that you’ve got the wheels in motion, you can get ready
to party in style! For the finishing touch, the beloved host needs a great
mask. Shop at
PureCostumes.com for the most stylish selection of masquerade
masks and prepare for a truly memorable event.
Labels: Costume Ideas, Holidays, Mardi Gras, Masquerade Masks, Party Planning