Free Printable Mardi Gras Cootie Catcher / Fortune Teller

Free Printable Mardi Gras Cootie Catcher / Fortune Teller by B.Nute productions

It's Mardi Gras time! That means delicious foods - beignets, pralines, jambalaya, po'boys, and king cake. It means potent drinks like chicory coffee and Hurricanes. And, it definitely means great party fun like beads, masks, parades, balls and more!

Printable Mardi Gras TicTacToe Game

Printable Mardi Gras TicTacToe Game by B.Nute productions

Who doesn't love a good game of TicTacToe? Here's a festive Mardi Gras themed TicTacToe game-- perfect to pull out for after school fun, and or on Mardi Gras night, perhaps while sipping your Hurricane and eating Gumbo?!

Laissez les bons temps rouler!

Printable Mardi Gras TicTacToe Game by B.Nute productions

Instructions for Printing Your Mardi Gras TicTacToe Game

1. Select link above and print out from your browser. Use card stock to give the game cards some weight.

2. Cut each game card out and markers

3. Pick a partner and start to play!

Printable items are copyright protected, and provided free of charge by B.Nute productions for personal use only. B.Nute's printables can not be sold, altered, or provided for download on any other site. For questions or inquiries, please contact B.Nute productions.

Laissez Les Bon Temps Rouler!

Our Mardi Gras at home party, several years ago!

Mardi Gras is here! Are you ready for the fun? Even if you're not in N'Orleans right now in the midst of the revelry... and/or if you're not heading to a Mardi Gras Party.... why not have a little celebration at home? Here's a simple recipe for an at-home Mardi Gras Party:

The Big Easy Soundtrack on Amazon

Tunes - A Mardi Gras Party isn't complete without some great zydeco tunes! I'm sure there are many, many incredible cajun/zydeco albums available, but one of my favorites I've had for some time is the "Big Easy Movie Soundtrack." There's "Iko Iko" on it, as well as cajun greats, Buckwheat Zydeco, BeauSoleil and the Neville Brothers. Hey even Dennis Quaid has a tune on it!

Pat O'Brien's famous Hurricane Cocktail

Food and Drinks - Fortunately, for those of us who aren't from the South, and can't whip up étouffée to save our souls, we are so fortunate to have brands like Zatarian's with all sorts of easy, and I must say good New Orelans Style dishes-- including Jambalya, Dirty Rice, Gumbo and more. Yum.

As for drinks, it is imperative that you mix up some Hurricanes. Using the recipe from Pat O'Brien's will make folks think you are even more of an expert! Here is the recipe from What's Cooking America:

Hurricane Cocktail Recipe

1 ounce fresh-squeezed lemon juice
4 ounces dark rum
4 ounces passion fruit syrup
Crushed ice
Orange and/or lime slice
1 Maraschino Cherry

In a cocktail shaker, add lemon juice, rum, passion fruit syrup, and crushed ice; shake vigorously for 1 to 2 minutes.

Strain into a tall glass or hurricane cocktail glass.

Garnish with an orange and/or lime slices and a maraschino cherry.

Makes 1 serving.

Make Masks - Mardi Gras is not complete without some masks and beads! Head to the local party store and pick up some beads to toss around the dinner table. Make a game of it... the funniest joke gets beads, the best smile, the silliest face, etc. Also, don't forget to make some masks. See B.Nute productions Free Printable Masquerade Masks-- the perfect template to print out, decorate and wear!

Let the good times roll! Happy Mardi Gras!

Masquerade Ball: Party Ideas, Games and More

Masquerade Party Inspiration Board by B.Nute productions

A Masquerade ball has a rich and long history of a party filled with merriment, mystery and even murder (in one case!) Dating back as far as the 15th century, many different cultures have embraced the masquerade party theme. Some more famous balls are the Venetian Ball, the Masquerades in Burgundy France, and Masquerade Balls put on by the Royal English court.

Today Masquerade Balls are celebrated all over New Orleans during Mardi Gras time. It is also very popular with the teen crowd, and as a Prom theme. But any age guest, young and old will love a traditional Masquerade Party any time of year.

Although many of the historical Masquerade Balls were thrown by royalty with money well beyond our imagination, below are ideas to throw your own ball with the same intrigue, but keeping a more manageable budget!

Decoration Ideas
Opulence is the key to any Masquerade Ball. Here are some decoations ideas to help create a rich looking party.

Rich Fabrics - Velvets, brocades, damasks, gold lamé; richly embroidered or decorated fabrics should fill the space. Drape on chairs, over tables, and buffets, or even as swags fro temporary curtains. The fabrics will add instant elegance to your space.

Gossamer or Tulle - Sheer fabrics will look fabulous if draped on the ceiling to form a tent feeling, or use as curtains in the doorways for a mysterious entrance into each room.

Jewels - Gems not only make a mask sparkle but also scattered on a buffet they can look quite elegant.

Harlequins and Jesters - Of course you could hire some actors to be jesters and harlequins at your party, but that may be a little too much for your budget. Instead, use the look of these 2 performers as inspiration. Diamond patterned fabrics or papers like a Harlequin, and a jester at or two can be great in your space.

Gothic Victorian: Ironwork, Stone Statues, Candles and a Hint of Vampire - Take cues from art direction of some great gothic-inspired movies such as Interview with a Vampire, Marie Antoinette (with Kirsten Dunst), Amadeus, Van Helsing, and Phantom of the Opera to name a few. Look at the details. Perhaps there's some ironwork, a candelabra, or other props you could imitate at your party.

Game Ideas
Dress to Guess - Throw a traditional masquerade and instruct guest to come in costume. Tell the there will be a contest to guess who's who, so come incognito! Tell everyone to take their masks off at midnight (or a specific time during the party) to real their identity. A prize should be given to the best costume, and/or hardest person to guess!

Who Am I - Perhaps elaborate costumes are too much to ask guests, but folks will love a good game of "Who am I?" Tape a name of a famous person (and a picture too if desired) to each guests back. Now everyone needs to ask yes and no questions to figure out who is on their back. To keep with the theme, and depending on the audience age you could have only historical people.

Dancing - A Masquerade Ball is not complete without dancing! Make sure to have some period music and modern music to mix up the scene. Perhaps even try to teach a few historic dance steps, for instance some Renaissance Dance Steps, to the crowd to have fun. In the movie, Amadeus, there was an elaborate dance scene at their ball for more inspiration.

Decorate a Mask - Depending on the age and nature of the party, set up a table on the side full of mask templates. Put out gems, glitter, feathers, ribbon and more, and allow guests to decorate a mask to take home.