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!)
I have visited New Orleans often and gone to the parade several times. We have relatives there, so we had them drop us off well before parade time and pick us up at a pre-designated spot when we called. Once we stayed at the Omni Hotel, which is a great location. Check out where the bathrooms are, of course. And don’t take any more money or valuables than you have to. Take small bills and change. Put any valuables in a butt-pack might be a good idea, not a purse or even a diaper bag. Bring something like Capri Sun to drink and snacks that aren’t too salty so you want to drink all the time (and therefore, go to the bathroom all the time! LOL.) And of course sunscreen, sunglasses, etc. Have fun.
It’s my 1st Mardi Gras as a mom and I’m loving all these ideas!
My thought here… pack all the necessities – more diapers and wipes than you think you need, extra water, snacks. And don’t forget the cash!
BUy a ticket to the viewing stands on st charles. I’m going to do that this year, much easier with a little one, and I think they have restrooms available too. Last time I looked it wasn’t nearly as expensive as I expected.
A wagon is great for hauling the kids and all the beads and such. Also bring plenty of snacks and drinks as well as sunscreen!
A Wagon, best thing to put everything including a sleeping child, we even put a body pillow on the bottom so when he falls asleep, lay him down, cover him up, boom, instant bed. We do have the Radio Flyer wagon with wooden sides.
Mardi Gras is my favorite holiday and I don’t miss a year, but I don’t have any mom advice because I’m a new mom myself and will be having my inlaws watch her for Mardi Gras this year just because I personally think 9m is too young. At least for Uptown parades which is where we go. I do think Metairie parades are more kid friendly and def would say stake out near a bathroom or if you are parked near route and own an suv/van put a bucket in the back (<— may sound gross but if you have heard the song "aint no place to pee" it speaks the truth and I have found a bucket to be the easiest solution!). Good luck!
Depending on the area, we have brought out our camper and parked nearby. Then we can use our own bathroom and let the kids rest comfortable. we normally invite tons of people and everyone brings food while we wait.
I am also new to New Orleans and had been wondering if it was a good idea to take a 17 month old to a parade. I had really wanted to go with her and after reading everybody’s comments above I feel much more comfortable taking her out. One of the big questions I had was about taking a stroller, so thank you for answering that question as well. New Orleans Mom’s site has been such an excellent resources for family information!! Thanks again 🙂
Wow, lots of good advice. Dress your kids in bright distinct colors so you can spot them quickly and keep an eye on them easier. And it is definitely a 2-parent event- if you don’t have a coparent bring a friend so you have some more adults to help watch the kids so that MOMMY can have a beer or two and also have a good time. If you’re not into the ladder scene, at least bring a little step stool so the kids can see, and you can still stand right with them when the parade is passing. Oh, and the wagon is great b/c it’s a mode of transport, and also a place for the kids to sit and play with their loot.
If a friend with a house on or close to the parade route invites you over for a parade, take them up on it! Don’t think you’re going to impose. You’ll not only have a fun time with friends, but you will also have a (semi) quite place for the kids and you to rest and most importantly, a bathroom!! Also, be sure to have at least one more adult with you to keep an eye on the kids. Some parades (Muses, Endymion, Bacchus, and Orpheus) get really crowded. One more piece of advice, bring a wagon to transport everything! The kids will love it, especially if you decorate it with them specifically for Mardi Gras! Welcome and have fun! It’s a party like no other!