Mardi Gras will be here before we know it and if we’re not careful it will be another holiday that has come and gone without a whole lot of celebration. With COVID-19 predictions bad for the upcoming weeks, it might be wise to plan your holiday around staying at home or in a small group of people. This can be an easy way to save money though, which might help you out all the more. These ten tips will get you on the right track, so you can enjoy Mardi Gras even though there are still restrictions in place.
1. Louisiana Cooking
One of the easiest ways to enjoy Mardi Gras is to try out some Louisiana cuisine. If you already know how to make a few of your favorite dishes, then have some fun with it. However, if you’re new to the cuisine then you may want to check out some recipes and tutorial videos. Some of the more common things to try out during this time are gumbo, po’boys, and beignets. Luckily, you can customize these dishes to suit your budget, so you don’t end up going overboard. If you’re feeding a large family then gumbo is the way to go as it will provide you with an abundance of food for very little. It is also a hearty and warm food that is perfect for cold days. Of course, you can always dig deeper and try out recipes that aren’t as popular.
2. King’s Cake
Another big part of the Mari Gras celebration is the King’s Cake. This cake is a colorful and fun way to celebrate the holiday while bringing a little tradition to your party. The King’s Cake may look difficult to make, but it can be fairly simple if you check out some tutorials online before you get started. The important thing about the cake is to make sure the baby or trinket that you place in the cake won’t melt away. When you finish making this treat, not only will it look amazing, but it will make the whole house smell great too. Remember, when you slice into the cake, the person that gets the baby or trinket has good luck for the year.
3. Online Costume Competition
Dressing up is part of the fun of Mardi Gras and shouldn’t be disregarded just because you can’t go out to show off your brilliant costume. Instead of putting this part of the holiday on the back burner, you might want to consider coming up with a fun costume that you will make your holiday experience all the better. If you still want to show off your design, then host an online costume competition. Everyone can post pictures or videos on their costume in the comment section of your competition post. Then, people on your page can vote for the looks they like the most. If you prefer to keep things close-knit, then have your competition in a small video chat. This will definitely help to add to the fun of your holiday experience.
4. DIY Masks
If you don’t want to spend money on a costume, then making your own mask is the perfect way to go. You can make a mask out of almost anything so you can cater to your skills and the materials that you already have on hand. One of the best ways to make a mask for next to nothing is by using paper mache. This method will require glue, water, newspaper, and paint while giving you total freedom when it comes to creativity. If you have ceramics on hand and are skilled in this method, then this is the best way to go. However, if you want to keep things simple and cheap, then you can always print out a mask. If you have cardboard or cardstock on hand, then you can always glue the mask you print out to that. Add a string to tie to your face or use a popsicle to hold the mask up.
5. Decorate
One of the best parts of Mardi Gras is the decorations. There are so many great things that you can show off that will shimmer and add to all of the fun of your home. If you already have décor, then go wild with your decorations. If you don’t, then you might shop online for clearance items. You can also create Mardi Gras inspired crafts for next to nothing. There are lots of ideas online to choose from, which can make it much easier for you to plan the things that you love. You can even leave up the Mardi Gras décor for quite some time as it will definitely lift your mood with all of its sparkle and striking colors.
6. Dance
Mardi Gras is the perfect time to channel your creativity and move your body. Dancing is a major part of the holiday as many people actually take to the streets to dance and enjoy. You obviously can’t do this safely, but you can play your favorite music and enjoy the celebration. If you’re not sure where to begin when it comes to music, then there are so many amazing playlists to choose from. You can easily start here and learn a lot about the music based on the holiday and more. You may even find some awesome new favorites that you’ll want to dance to throughout the year. You might discover some traditional dances if you look hard enough online.
7. Themed Drinks
Alcohol and Mardi Gras tends to go hand in hand, but going to a bar might not be wise on this holiday. Instead of going out, you might consider putting your money to good use by purchasing beer based in Louisiana. There are lots of options to choose from, so you might check out reviews and look around to see what is typically served during the holiday. If beer isn’t your thing then consider making themed mixed drinks. You can check out recipes online or come up with your own drink. You may even consider decorating the drinks to add a whole new level of fun to the drinks. If you don’t want to spend money on alcohol, then consider the virgin options of your favorite drinks.
8. Block Party
You don’t have to go it alone during the holiday. If you’re used to huge celebrations, then consider bringing the holiday to your community. You might send a memo to your neighbors to see if anyone is interested in having a block party. If everyone stays on their own lawn and wears a mask, then it should be safe. You can play music, dance, laugh, and enjoy having the company of others. You might even consider having competitions for costumes and décor. It might not be your normal block party or Mardi Gras experience, but you’re still bound to have some fun while connecting with others.
9. Mardi Gras Live
If you’re missing out on the fun in your neck of the woods, then don’t fret. You can actually watch the Mardi Gras celebration live. It might not be the same as years’ past, but it will still be an experience that you will definitely want to enjoy. Mardi Gras Live can be found online, but you will also have access to lots of other online experiences too. Your city may even do its own online show which can help you keep in touch with your own community. This will give you the opportunity to have some fun while still staying home and safe.
10. Learn About Mardi Gras
Mardi Gras is one of those holidays that is a lot of fun to celebrate. However, not a lot of people know the meaning behind the holiday. So, if you’re stuck at home this year, you might take the time to learn about the holiday. There are actually many different elements of the story you can check out too. Some are religious, some involve royal parties, and others are deep in Louisiana lore. You might find some documentaries on the holiday, but there are lots of websites and books dedicated to the holiday to help you find the answers you’re seeking.
Mardi Gras is the perfect holiday for blowing off some steam and enjoying life. These ten tips will help you find all of the amazing ways you can celebrate from the safety of your home. So, don’t miss out on this holiday, because it is definitely going to make your life a lot more fun.
