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SMALL DINNER PARTY (15-30 guests)
Invitations
In New Orleans, many people-tourists and locals alike- dress in
costume on Mardi Gras Day. If you are asking guests to come in
costume, make sure to send out invitations far enough in advance
for them to develop a costume that fits the part. Give them some
ideas such as Jazz Musician, swamp creature, jester, and/ or Mardi
Gras King/ Queen to get them thinking. Award prizes for the most
creative costumes.
Or
You can enclose a mask with the invitation and ask guests to wear
it to the party.
Decorations
Purple, Green, and Gold are the colors of Mardi Gras. Decorate
your home, backyard, or other party location with balloons, streamers,
and beads in these colors.
Make street signs from famous French Quarter locations such as
Bourbon Street and Jackson Square to hang throughout the house.
Over the bar or drink station, hang a Pat O’Brien’s
Sign and serve hurricanes,
cyclones, and daiquiris.
If you are setting up tables for food, consider centerpieces
or table decorations such as:
Baskets filled with New Orleans goodies such as Chickory coffee,
Cajun Seasonings, beads, Mardi Gras cups, feather masks, and/
or balloons. These can be given away as prizes at the end of the
evening!
Flower bouquets of purple, yellow, and white flowers with ferns
to add some green!
Sprinkle purple, green, and gold confetti on the table
Food and Drinks
Finger foods and appetizers are best for large groups.
If you want to serve a meal, try dishes that work well in a
buffet.
Crawfish
Etouffee
Sue’s
Seafood Jambalaya
Casseroles
Bayou
Bake
Louisiana
Lobster Casserole
Eggplant
Riverbend
For dessert, King
Cake is easiest and most festive way to celebrate Carnival
New Orleans style!
Paper products-napkins, plates
Bar/ Drinks
Hurricanes, cyclones, and daiquiris are traditional New Orleans
drinks. (Daiquiris can also be made without alcohol, virgin-style,
for guests who won’t be drinking.) Serve up these frozen
treats in Mardi Gras cups or Pat O’Brien’s glasses or
paper cups.
BEADS!!!
Be sure you order enough beads for all of your guests! To make
it fun and encourage trading you may want to order 3+ strands
for each person. Mix up your order with different sizes, colors,
and medallions! It’s not a Mardi Gras party without plenty
of “throws!”
Beads can be handed out to guests as they arrived and/ or given
as prizes for games or activities.
Music and Dancing
Let the music
set the stage for your event. Playing an assortment of zydecco,
jazz, cajun, and Mardi Gras tunes will have your guests singing
and swinging into the New Orleans spirit!
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