by John D. Folding
Nothing says party like Mardi Gras…and nothing says party like Mardi Gras when it’s fast on the heels of Christmas, New Years and knocking on the door of Valentine’s Day!
As I was sitting down to write this article, I thought to myself, “Self, why is Mardi Gras on the date it is?” I’m not from ‘round these parts, so don’t laugh at me as you say, “Hello! Ash Wednesday is always 46 days before Easter, and Fat Tuesday is always the day before Ash Wednesday. Easter can fall on any Sunday from March 23 to April 25, with the exact date to coincide with the first Sunday after the full moon following a spring equinox.”
Harumph! Say that three times fast and then still try to figure it out! And thank you mardigrasneworleans.com for all that detailed info.
Anyway, regardless of the reason why every 9th year Mardi Gras falls barely a month after Christmas, it makes all of us in the business of party planning absolutely crazy because there is hardly any breathing room (much less a time to take a day off) to pull off all of the events related to Christmas, New Years and Mardi Gras. One very simple reason is that decorations for all of these events are very similar and without much advanced planning, by the time you get to Mardi Gras, all of the supplies will have dried up.
So what’s a party planner (or a hostess with the mostest) to do to get ready?
As I think I repeat often in this column, it is imperative to plan ahead. In case you didn’t know, there is a Mardi Gras supplies store right here on the Gulf Coast. It’s not open to the public all year, but you can order from their website and pick up items the next day. What a life saver that is when you need last minute beads or glitter! The store opens to the public in November and stays open through Mardi Gras.
If you are planning a small get together, then you are likely going to be okay finding decorations and other supplies right up to Fat Tuesday, but if you are planning a large event or wedding with a Mardi Gras theme, you should consider gathering the items you need at least 45 to 60 days in advance for two reasons. One reason is to avoid that last minute rush and the other is to make sure you have access to adequate availability of items you want.
PARTY INSPIRATION
- Take decoration cues from photos you see. Tree branches draped with beads are always fun and reminiscent of leftover beads you see hanging from trees and power lines after the parade passes by.
- Wrap or glue beads to anything! Seriously, the cheapest and most readily available Mardi Gras item can go on way more places than around your neck.
- Add touches of purple fabric to your gold and green Christmas ornaments for an instant Mardi Gras color scheme.
- If you’re really into the holiday, then leave your Christmas mechanics (artificial trees and wreathes) in place and replace your red ornaments with purple. Add some beads and masks and you are ready for the season.
Mardi Gras is a bit about excess as well. The feasting surrounding this holiday is always my favorite. For me, food on Mardi Gras is like presents on Christmas day! Like I said above, I’m not from ‘round these parts (my family is from the Midwest), but I did grow up in Lafayette, Louisiana.
I have loved gumbo from the moment I first tasted it as a kid at Don’s Seafood in Lafayette and have sought to perfect my roux. After at least 10 years, I don’t think I’m even close to getting it right, but it sure is fun to try.