If you haven’t yet heard the news, Mardi Gras is going to look very different this year. Due to the ongoing pandemic, all Mardi Gras parades will be canceled for 2021, but that doesn’t mean the holiday itself is canceled. There are still many ways to celebrate while staying safe!
Have a king cake tasting
Grab your favorite king cake or one you have been wanting to try and invite a couple of people in your pod to do the same so that you can all taste each other’s favorites. If you aren’t comfortable having anyone over, do it yourself and freeze the leftovers or package them up and deliver them to friends for a sweet Carnival treat! Some of our favorites are the new “Pink Parade” strawberry cream cheese from Brennan’s and the traditional from Dong Phuong.
Decorate your home
Decorations always help to get into the spirit! If you want to go all out, join the “Krewe of House Floats” and help support Mardi Gras artists by commissioning them to make your house look like a float through the Krewe of Red Beans. If that’s too much, turn your Christmas tree into a Mardi Gras tree by hanging purple, green, and gold beads from it or buy a cute Mardi Gras wreath for the front door. Local boutique, Miette, has tons of cute Mardi Gras decor including individual pieces made by float artists.
Carnival flower from Miette Carnival flower from Miette
Check out the float houses around the city
Even if you are not into decorating your own home, you should go drive around and check out those that are going all out this year! It will be like going to look at Christmas lights except even better. Follow along with the Krewe of House Floats on Insta to see where the house floats are popping up.
Eat Popeye’s anyways
I don’t know about you babes, but Mardi Gras is about the one time of year that I allow myself to chow down on some Popeye’s (ok the chicken sando is the exception). It’s been a tradition in my family forever and it kind of just stuck. This year, there’s no way I’m going to skip it! Popeye’s feast and my couch? Sounds pretty good to me!
Do some crafting
We won’t be making our much anticipated costumes for the Diva Day walking parade this year, so our krewe is going to have to get our crafting fix elsewhere. I plan to try and make my own Mardi Gras float flower to hang inside the house and some of these super cute Mardi Gras votive candles.
Dress up
Ahhh, the part I think I’m going to miss most about going to Mardi Gras parades and balls is putting together and wearing fun costumes. It’s seriously the best part of Mardi Gras and I’m not going to let anyone take it away from me! Maybe the costumes won’t be elaborate and maybe we will literally just be wearing them to take pics for the insta or to have a socially distanced porch wine night, but either way it’s got to be done!
Have a French Quarter Staycation
There’s something about being in the French Quarter during Carnival season that is magical. Even though there won’t be too much going on, just being there will be sure to get you in the Mardi Gras mood. Plan a staycation and help support one of the city’s struggling hotels while also treating yo’ self.
