It’s that time of year again, y’all! This year, host your own fabulous, authentic Mardi Gras 2020 party using the essentials below.
My entire family is from Louisiana. This includes myself and my sister, until we were 10 and 8 years old and our family moved briefly to Colorado then to the Pittsburgh area. Being from south Louisiana means that Cajunisms are deeply rooted into our genetic makeup.
What does Bobby Ray say in Sweet Home Alabama? “You can take the girl out of the honky tonk, but you can’t take the honky tonk out of the girl.”
One customary Cajunism is Mardi Gras. Growing up, Mardi Gras meant a really tasty king cake, a miniature baby figurine and layers of cheap plastic beads. I had absolutely no idea that most of the world didn’t even know that Mardi Gras was a thing. My sister and I would sneak into the kitchen before the king cake cutting trying to strategically figure out which piece the baby was hidden in, and then fight over that slice when the king cake was served. This is hilarious as an adult, since the person who gets the baby has to buy the king cake for next year’s Mardi Gras party. I will now HAPPILY let Holly have the baby piece (eating cake that someone else had to buy = winning).
After moving away from Louisiana , my family continued to acknowledge this tradition every year as a little tribute to our home. While living in the northeast, my friends never understood the concept of why a miniature plastic baby was mysteriously stuffed into a cake (I mean that sounds like a totally normal thing to do…). But regardless they loved the cake, especially accompanied by my parents’ thick southern accents to complete the true cultural experience of Mardi Gras.
Anyway, I digress. Here is all you need to know about the essentials of hosting your very own authentic, New Orleans inspired Mardi Gras 2020 party.
1. King Cake
Having a well decorated, tasty king cake is probably the most essential aspect of your Mardi Gras 2020 party. A little plastic baby will be hidden inside (eat slow!), and the tradition is that whoever gets the piece with the baby has to buy the king cake for next year’s celebration.
To really add a sense of authenticity and allure to your Mardi Gras party, there are a number of local Louisiana bakeries that will ship you a king cake for a reasonable price:
- Joe Gambino’s Bakery
- Manny Randazzo King Cakes
- Haydel’s Bakery
- If you’re really brave, you can make your own king cake
2. Cafe Du Monde Coffee & Chicory
The folks at Cafe Du Monde will proudly tell you that coffee first made its way to North America via New Orleans (praise the Lord halleluja). Coffee was a rarity during the civil war, so the French began adding chicory as a way to make it go further without sacrificing flavor.
First opened in 1862, the “Original French Market Coffee Stand” has been a Louisiana classic for generations. They’re famous for their beignets and coffee, which is available on Amazon.com and at many chain grocery stores across the nation during the Mardi Gras season. Serve your king cake with a freshly brewed cup of this native staple.
3. Low Country Boil
Another Cajun tradition is a good old fashioned crawfish boil. A crawfish boil is like the Louisiana version of a barbeque or a clam bake. It’s a down to earth get together for friends and family, where crawfish, corn-on-the-cob and red potatoes are all boiled together with salty seasonings in a huge pot, usually in someone’s garage or backyard. Importantly, the food is served family style tossed out along a long table (see pics below). You eat with your hands and natives will be overjoyed to educate newcomers on properly de-shelling a crawfish.
If this is a little more than you had in mind for your Mardi Gras 2020 party, you can make a delicious and equally authentic version of this shrimp boil in your instant pot in under an hour and with much less mess (this is my personal favorite way to do it!). You can sub the shrimp for crawfish if you’d like.
4. New Orleans Inspired Drinks
Nothing says “Mardi Gras party” like a Bourbon Street inspired drink. Make a good hurricane (first created in New Orleans!) or a sweet mint julep and enjoy yourself.
5. Mardi Gras Beads
If you didn’t have an excess of tacky plastic beads, did you even have a Mardi Gras party? Purple, green and gold. Lots and lots of beads.
6. Paper Plates & Plastic Flatware
One of the most charming things about south Louisiana is that the people are as real as it gets. Paper plates and plastic flatware are absolutely appropriate, and even expected.
These plates are super festive, or check these out for a simpler yet fun look. The napkins pictured below are perfectly vibrant and crazy affordable! And this glittery flatware is sure to add sparkle to your party.
7. All Things Purple, Green, Gold & Glittery
Being over the top is basically your goal with decor. Masks, garland, beads, centerpieces, hats, etc. it really can’t be too much.
Oriental Trading Post and Amazon.com both have some festive and inexpensive options. Isn’t this mask fun?
8. Add Glamour
If you want to add some elegant glamour to your party, check out these pretty fleur de lis napkin rings and hors d’oeuvre plates from La Bella Vita Interiors. This site has ah-mazing home decor. The fabulous founder of La Bella Vita Interiors is a Louisiana gal herself.
Well y’all, there you go, 8 essentials to hosting your very own authentic, New Orleans inspired Mardi Gras 2020 party.
As the Cajuns would say, laissez les bons temps rouler!
This is just lovely Hanna. I believe I was at that boil correct? A special time indeed:):)
Yes you were there! So fun.
I’ve visited NOLA a few times with wonderful memories. I’d love to go sometime with my Cajun friends for an amazing experience.
It really is like a different world. It would be such a fun girls trip!
Love this post! Fabulously positive vibes & inspiration 🙌🏼
Love your store!