This Holidays

Writen by Gail Leino

Whether you are planning a Mardi Gras party for some friends or a celebration for your town, you'll need Mardi Gras costumes. No celebration is complete without the costumes in the traditional purple, green, and gold that symbolize Mardi Gras. If you're doing a big celebration, the costumes are part of the parade, but if you're having a celebration, you can have your guests dress in traditional costumes for the season.

Mardi Gras is celebrated forty-seven days before Easter or the Tuesday preceding Ash Wednesday. Because of that, the date can vary from early February to March, but the season itself begins on January 6th and doesn't end until Fat Tuesday. Because of the size of the holiday in terms of people, you want to make sure you plan your party and find the guests know to purchase or rent their costumes early enough for them to be available. You do not, have to buy the costume, of course; any store that rents Halloween and other costumes will have Mardi Gras costumes or be able to order one for you.

Even if you are planning a small celebration at your home, if you have enough guests you can still have a small parade in your neighborhood. You can also make a small float and just have your guests walk through your neighborhood. This will also allow you to encourage your spectators (neighbors) to shout the "throw me something, mister" traditional so that he or she can go home with beads or another trinket that is symbolic off Mardi Gras and its centuries old tradition. If you are unable to find the supplies you need locally, do not hesitate to search online because there are many sites listed that advertise the sale of Mardi Gras costumes and other items related to the holiday.