MAKE IT CUTE

Bring the party to your own backyard—well, you might want to bring it inside if it’s still chilly outdoors—with GL’s fab Mardi Gras masquerade!

Invite all your friends

When it comes to Mardi Gras, it really is the more, the merrier! Sending out a themed e-vite or Facebook event invitation is an easy way to get all of your buds involved. To keep your party from spiraling out of control, enforce a strict no-guests policy. Who needs a plus-one when all of your fave pals are already there?

Instruct each of your friends to conceal their identity with an elaborate, homemade mask. You can also set up a basket outside your front door with extra masks, just in case.

Decorate, decorate, decorate!

Hit up a party store or a dollar store and go crazy with your décor. Grab crepe paper streamers, balloons, beads and anything else you can find in the traditional Mardi Gras colors: purple, green and gold. In true Fat Tuesday fashion, the décor should be over-the-top and overwhelming. Think glitz, glam and yeah, maybe a little gauche, too.

Dress the part

You can’t host a masquerade party with a mask, and as the host, yours should be the grandest of all. While you can certainly buy pre-made ones, we think making our own is part of the fun. Check out our mask-making tutorial here. Don’t forget the rest of your costume! Go for teen chic in a fun, sparkly dress you can dance in that matches your mask.

Set the mood

Get your hands on some authentic Louisiana jazz or zydeco music. Play these more traditional songs when your guests arrive. When y’all are ready to hit the dance floor, switch over to a playlist of your favorite party tunes and get those hands up in the air, girl!

The big reveal

by Brittany Taylor | 2/1/2016