The Fourth of July celebrations do not have to be the same
year in, year out. Why not shake things up a bit – at the very least, shake up
your storage cupboard – and bring out the feather boas and the Mardi Gras beads
bulk supply that you have for your July
4 party? Most of us have Mardi Gras beads and mesh ribbon rolls left over
in patriotic colors. Make use of them for your Independence Day party
decorations or simply wear some beads when you head out for the parade.
You can also use the red, white and blue deco mesh ribbon
that you have left over for Fourth of July decorations. Design a wreath in
these patriotic colors and hang them invitingly on your door. Mardi Gras colors
of royal blues, greens and golds may be different, but we usually end up
stocking up on ribbons for Independence Day when we're making purchases for
Mardi Gras. Many people make the ribbons in patriotic colors do double duty for
the two festivals, with a few changes in accessories.
Wondering how else to use your Mardi Gras party
supplies and leftover masquerade masks for the summer parade? Here are some
more great ideas to get you started:
Ideas For Your Fourth Of July Mardi Gras Party
1. Have a poolside masquerade
Add an unusual and fun twist to your usual July 4th poolside
party by offering guests masquerade masks or feather boas to wear while they
swing their legs in the water and sip on cool summer-flavored juices and soda.
You can make it more patriotic by offering white, red and blue juices or
seeking out soda bottles in those colors. Add matching towels to go with the
Venetian mask theme and you're all set for a fun and unusual summer party that
guests are bound to enjoy. Decorate your buntings with carnival beads.
It will add a new touch of color to the old ones.
2. Whip up a carnivalesque summer cocktail
Start your party with a mix of carnival flavors and summer
flavors that will refresh your guests. A watermelon and tequila cocktail will
make a perfect (red-hued) start to the afternoon. Simply cut about 6 pounds of
seedless watermelon (to serve eight guests) into chunks and puree it. Strain
into a bowl. Whisk in some lemon juice to four cups of the juice and freeze the
mixture in ice cube trays, preferably overnight or at least for three hours.
Then crush half the cubes in the food processor till broken, add a cup of
tequila, blend again and serve in a pitcher. Do the same for the rest of the
juice. The watermelon is a summery flavor and the tequila is a carnival staple for
cocktails. Want a little more punch? Replace watermelon juice with cranberry
juice and add some champagne.
3. Use up ribbons on party favors
If you're making party favors or placeholders, get creative
with your leftover carnival ribbons and some sparklers. Pull out the sparklers
in bunches and tie them together with patriotic ribbon colors. Curl the ends of
the ribbons with your scissors. You could also slide a paper tag punched with a
hole into one of the ribbons for writing the name of a guest. The
possibilities for a Mardi Gras-themed 4th
of July party are endless with a little creativity!
Do you have any other creative ideas to use Mardis Gras
supplies for a Fourth of July party?
