Laissez les bons temps rouler!

Don your most elaborate and colorful costumes; gather your beads and doublooms— it’s Mardi Gras time! As they say, laissez les bons temps rouler — Let the Good Times Roll!

Mardi Gras Facts:

Mardi Gras is French for Fat Tuesday.

Mardi Gras 2012 is February 21st.

Typical Mardi Gras celebrations include parades, dancing, food, and drinking.

Mardi Gras began in New Orleans on February 24, 1857 with the first parade.

Mardi Gras is the anything goes holiday. The original purpose was to eat rich, fattier foods before the ritual fasting of Lent, which starts on Ash Wednesday.

Mardi Gras is celebrated all over the world by those with French or Catholic heritage.

The largest Mardi Gras festival is in New Orleans, USA.

Mardi Gras traditions date back to medieval France.

Mardi Gras colors are purple, green and gold.

The Capitaine is the man who leads the Mardi Gras precession.

The traditional Mardi Gras song is La Danse de Mardi Gras.

Mardi Gras begins 47 days before Easter.

In the Mardi Gras colors, purple represents justice, green represents faith, and gold represents power.

A famous traditional Mardi Gras food is the Kings Cake. Before eating, a plastic baby is inserted in each King Cake. The person who finds the baby is deemed the “King” or “Queen” and will bring the King Cake to the next King Cake party. They are decorated in traditional Mardi Gras colors and styles.

But, I live no where near New Orleans, why should I celebrate Mardi Gras?

Easy Tips For Celebrating Mardi Gras

• Mardi Gras Home Decor – A little festivity never hurt anyone! Add some fun to your life with a glitzy Mardi Gras flower arrangement from your local florist.

• Mardi Gras Parties – Have a Mardi Gras themed party! You and your friends can get together and enjoy a delicious King’s Cake and other yummy food. Don’t forget to decorate your own feathery masks and don as many beads as your necks can handle!

• Mardi Gras Decorations For Business’ – If you own or manage a business, especially a restaurant or pub, Mardi Gras decorations are an easy way to add a little festivity and fun. Advertise Fat Tuesday specials, and ask your local florist to create a show-stopping arrangement that’s sure to sweep your customers off their feet.

This post is brought to you by local New Orleans florists.
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