
Y'all, I'll be transparent: my goal here and elsewhere is pure, unabashed Mardi Gras proselytizing. By the time Ash Wednesday arrives, I want Carnival to become your favorite season, too. For today, let's get the house ready with items that level up the celebration with purple, green, and gold.
These traditional Carnival colors are symbolic: purple (justice), green (faith), and gold (power). The history, however, blurs and blends and bobs. Ask a dozen people why these colors became iconic of Mardi Gras, and you'll get a dozen elaborate stories, including that the colors derived from the 1872 visit of Russian Grand Duke Alexei Alexandrovich Romanov to Mardi Gras in New Orleans.
But the most important reason to decorate for the season is that decorations and celebrations and traditions—the sensory and visible—matter! They deepen our connection with the goodness of creation, our bodily selves, and the great gift of being alive together. Allons-y!

Plastic cups, pack of 50: Why drink plain cups of sadness when you could turn every sip into a party? It's especially fun for kids to have special seasonal cups.
Bunting: We drape multiples of these across the pergola in front of our house and inside over doorways and windows.
Glitter gel: You aren't really observing Mardi Gras unless you've got holographic glitter all over your face (place along cheekbones).
Balloon bouquet: I don't know exactly where you can set up this spectacular balloon kit, but I'm thinking at least one in every bedroom, right? Right?
Tablecloth: These were a new addition to our seasonal decor this year! I love how this tablecloth marries Carnival colors with traditional plaid—I think it would also look perfectly at home in one of the stately mansions on St Charles Avenue. We use these solid purple tablecloths on folding tables for our parade parties; they clean up really well, which (trust me) is essential for anything used at Mardi Gras. (They're very close to K&B purple—if you know you know!)
Feathers: Don't limit yourself to using feathers for masks; they also make a festive, striking, and easy centerpiece when displayed as a bouquet. Bonus: a feather bouquet stays fresh until Ash Wednesday!
Purple light bulbs: I'm always surprised how much impact lighting makes. We swap our front exterior lights for these purple bulbs all season.
Paper lanterns: Paper lanterns are one of my favorite affordable ways to add a ton of festive impact. Their minimalist shape and appealing texture will fit with any decor style. How fun and pretty would a grouping be hung from your porch or over your dining table?
Flag: Fly high the banner of laissez les bon temps rouler—this is how people will know you're fun.
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