We don’t know about y’all, but Mardi Gras might just be our favorite holiday! King cake, parades, beads, another excuse to wear a costume, spears, ice cold beer in the crisp NOLA air, crawfish, revelry and marching bands … what’s not to love?
To get in the spirit, we’ve teamed up with some of our favorite local companies to bring you an amazing giveaway! These are our favorite picks for the Mardi Gras season. Whether you’re looking for a unique parade-going outfit for your little one, personalized bead bags for the family or something to keep your beer cold, we’ve got you covered!
It’s Carnival Time! giveaway 1 (WINNER: Alissa)
- Personalized bead bag from Sip N See by LP ($13 value)
- Skirt from Small Habit ($24 value)
- Headband from Yeaux Yeaux Bows ($12 value)
- One piece or toddler tee from Nolafionnah ($22 value for one piece, $26 value for tee)
- Candle (king cake scented) from Southern Lights ($16 value)
- 1 dozen Mardi Gras themed cake balls from Stephanie’s Cake Balls ($24 value)
- “It’s Great to be a NOLA Kid at Mardi Gras” coloring book and personalized streetcar notepad from Let’s pARTy NOLA
It’s Carnival Time! giveaway 2 (WINNER: Tiffany)
- Bead bag from Two Sprouts ($12 value)
- Bow from Little Touches ($3 value)
- Two koozies from Embellished Bayou ($17 value)
- Applique shirt from Lisey Lu ($20 value)
- Storyville infant Mardi Gras tee ($20 value)
- 1 dozen Mardi Gras themed cake balls from Stephanie’s Cake Balls ($24 value)
- “It’s Great to be a NOLA Kid at Mardi Gras” coloring book and personalized streetcar notepad from Let’s pARTy NOLA
To enter, leave a comment on this post with your best piece(s) of advice for a mom about to experience Mardi Gras for the first time. Is there a specific place to hang out? Parade to catch (or skip)? Items to pack? Place to park? Our newest contributor Karen is new to the city and needs to know! We’ll pick two winners at random on Friday, January 11!
And if you like GIVEAWAYS, don’t forget that there are currently over 30 giveaways going on over at our network’s Facebook page, including the chance to win $400 in clothes (for real!)
Mardi Gras is a marathon not a sprint!
Overnight or heavy duty diapers; lots of yummy snacks and BUBBLES!
BABY WIPES, BABY WIPES, BABY WIPES!! Seriously, they help clean hands after going into a yuck port a potties, clean up spills, wipe faces, and if you are caught with no toilet paper, they are really handy too!!
Hand sanitizer and flushable wipes. If you’re Uptown around Napoleon, buy Sacred Heart’s bathroom pass. Worth every penny to have access to clean potties!
The more snacks the better. Be sure to bring a variety. Portable potties (to leave in the car) are great. Using wagons to carry everything are much better than a stroller for the rough streets.
A wagon, ladder, bags to put all your beads in, snacks, water/juice for kids, alcohol for mom and dad. I agree with others about setting up near restroom and trying to park near a friend’s house close to the parade. We love the parade atmosphere on St Charles and are able to walk the 8 blocks from our house in the Irish Channel. I also agree about getting there early and planning to set up camp for a few hours…or days! Be prepared to make lots of friends and Mardi Gras brings out the friendliness in everyone. Extra clothes, diapers and wipes are always good!
I bring lots of snacks and activities to share with friends we are parading with and families around us…bubbles, sidewalk chalk, and glow necklaces/bracelets for night parades. I use the chalk to define a boundary for my kids and all that pavement is an empty canvas!
Have Fun!!!