Mardi Gras is a significant affair in the United States. It is not only a legal holiday, but it has also become a legendary aspect of the culture, attracting many to visit the New Orleans French Quarter each year. Mardi Gras is held in either February or March each year, depending on the date of Easter Sunday (46 days before Easter).
With a little imagination, you can introduce a little Mardi Gras to your senior living community. You may start gathering things now to ensure that residents have a pleasant New Orleans-style celebration. Continue reading to learn how to prepare for Mardi Gras in your Mississippi senior living community.
What is Mardi Gras
Mardi Gras has a long and distinguished history. The age-old pagan spring celebration started in ancient Rome and was eventually adopted as the "12 Days after Christmas" by Christian clergy. Masked balls were held in Italy, France, and England to commemorate Twelfth Night, also known as King's Day or the Epiphany, a reference to a myth in which three wise men brought frankincense, gold, and myrrh to baby Jesus 12 days after his birth.
Pass Around Mardi Gras Beads
Pass out beads for your residents to wear as a way to help them get into the Mardi Gras mood. Whether you're throwing a Mardi Gras lunch with gumbo and po'boy sandwiches or holding a parade through your community’s corridors, these beads are an easy way to add a festive touch to any event.
Grab Some Gold Coins
If you're hosting activities for the Mardi Gras Celebration, you can use gold coins as part of your activities. For example, use them as Mardi Gras party favors or decorations in your Dining Room tables, or conceal them across your community for residents to uncover during a day-long Mardi Gras Scavenger Hunt.
Decorate With Balloons
Add colorful balloons in the Mardi Gras colors of green (which signifies faith), purple (which represents justice), and gold (which represents power) to your community to make it even more joyful.
Prepare Mardi Gras Masks
Masks may add a touch of mystique to your Mardi Gras celebrations. Provide either simple masks for residents to customize with feathers and beads as a craft activity, or ready-to-wear feather masks for residents to wear during a fun masquerade celebration.
Spice It Up With Champagne Glasses
Fill plastic champagne glasses with nonalcoholic sparkling apple cider or champagne for the residents to enjoy. Invite locals to make toasts in turn to commemorate the end of the carnival season.
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Our charming suites and apartment houses at SummerHouse Bay Cove overlook Back Bay, offering a magnificent background for daily life. Ideal for seniors who can benefit from 24-hour care and service and who seek a worry-free living, SummerHouse Bay Cove's unique blend of excellent care, amenities and lifestyle activities, and individualized attention creates a senior living experience unlike any other.
Our picturesque waterfront location gives homeowners easy access to outstanding local restaurants and leisure, big-city entertainment opportunities, and a variety of contemporary amenities that make daily life in our community even more enjoyable.
Contact SummerHouse Bay Cove now to learn more about our senior housing options!
