Top 11 Best Mardi Gras Gifts to Bring the Spirit of New Orleans Home
Main image courtesy of La Belle Esplanade.
During the spring time, there are a number of holidays that take place with one of the most common ones being Easter–but for Christians and others who celebrate, there are holidays that are just as important that come before it that we often overlook. Mardi Gras for example is known for its party scene on Bourbon Street in New Orleans, Louisiana, but it actually holds a more significant meaning behind it.
Mardi Gras is the last day of feasting before the Lent begins for many Christians, but for many others, it can be a reason to get out and hang out with friends, family, and loved ones while eating great food and enjoying a day of fun. From the iconic purple, green, and gold color scheme, to indulging in some of the most delicious fatty foods, and knocking back a couple drinks, Mardi Gras is a day worth celebrating for a number of reasons–traditional or not.
Want to get your friend something this upcoming Mardi Gras? Consider these top eleven best gifts perfect for any party or get together you’re going to!
1. PerfectGift+ Gift Card
A gift card that can be used across a whole catalog of incredible retailers and more makes for the “perfect gift”!
If you’re not quite sure what to get someone for Mardi Gras, a PerfectGift+ gift card is one of the easiest ways to make sure they can celebrate the day exactly how they want to. Since Mardi Gras is all about enjoying great food, festive décor, and time with loved ones before Lent begins, this gift gives them the freedom to choose what that celebration looks like for them.
They might use it to order a king cake, pick up party decorations in purple, green, and gold, grab ingredients for a Cajun-inspired dinner, or even stock up on drinks and snacks for a Fat Tuesday get-together. Instead of guessing what they might like most, you’re giving them the ability to bring a little bit of New Orleans into their home in a way that feels personal.
It’s also perfect for long-distance gifting or last-minute shoppers, since it can be sent digitally and used right away.
2. King Cake or King Cake Baking Kit
Pastries always make for a great gift, so why not get someone something sweet and festive for Mardi Gras!
A king cake baking kit is the perfect gift for those looking to make something festive for Mardi Gras. Image courtesy of Gold Belly.
You really can’t talk about Mardi Gras without mentioning king cake. This sweet, colorful dessert is one of the most recognizable parts of the holiday and instantly makes any home feel like it’s part of the celebration.
You can send an authentic king cake from a Louisiana bakery or gift a baking kit so they can make their own. Many kits include the traditional colored sugars and the small plastic baby hidden inside. Whoever finds the baby is said to have good luck and is often responsible for bringing the next cake.
It’s a fun, interactive, and delicious gift that families, couples, and friends can all enjoy together.
3. Mardi Gras Beads and Decorative Masks
Get into the Mardi Gras spirit with beads and decorative masks to blend right into the celebration!
Get into the festive Fat Tuesday spirit with all of your essential beads and masks perfect for this special occasion. Image courtesy of Walmart.
Beads and masks are what most people picture when they think of Mardi Gras parades. A colorful set of beads and decorative masks is a simple but festive gift that can instantly turn an ordinary room into a celebration.
These can be worn to a party, hung up as decorations, or saved for future Mardi Gras celebrations. Look for sets with glitter, feathers, and the classic purple, green, and gold colors to really capture the feel of Bourbon Street.
This is a great option for kids, friends, or anyone hosting a get-together.
4. Cajun and Creole Spice Set
New Orleans is known for its deliciously spicy food made from cajun and creole seasonings that you have to try!
Spices are essential for Mardi Gras food–and even food in the south–where cajun and creole seasonings can make anything taste better. Image courtesy of World Famous N’awlins.
Since food plays such a big role in Mardi Gras, a Cajun and Creole spice set is a thoughtful gift for anyone who enjoys cooking. These blends make it easy to recreate some of the bold flavors New Orleans is known for.
With spices for gumbo, jambalaya, blackened chicken, or seafood boils, this gift lets them bring those traditional dishes to life in their own kitchen. Pair it with a recipe card or cookbook to make it even more special.
It’s a gift they can keep using long after Fat Tuesday is over.
5. New Orleans Coffee and Beignet Mix
Coffee and beignets are a popular French tradition that is popular in New Orleans–and a mix makes for a great gift!
Why not enjoy some of the coffee and pastries that New Orleans loves the most with a coffee and beignet mix to kick off Mardi Gras celebrations? Image courtesy of Box of Care.
A New Orleans–style coffee and beignet mix brings a quieter, cozier side of Mardi Gras into someone’s home. Chicory coffee and warm, powdered sugar beignets are staples in the city and make for a comforting treat.
This is a great gift for parents, couples, or anyone who enjoys slow mornings with good food and drink. It’s a small way to experience a bit of New Orleans culture without leaving the house.
6. Mardi Gras Themed Clothing or Accessories
Wearing festive mardi gras clothing can help get you in the mood to eat some delicious food and be the perfect attire for any party. Image courtesy of Shinesty.
Festive clothing is always a fun way to get into the spirit of a holiday. Mardi Gras shirts, socks, hats, or accessories in the traditional colors make great gifts that people can actually wear to parties or gatherings.
Graphic tees with fleur-de-lis designs or fun sayings are especially popular. These items are easy to reuse year after year and make for great photos during the celebration.
7. Mardi Gras Home Décor
You can’t forget to decorate for a Mardi Gras party without any decor–and these are some of the best options!
Getting a loved one some Mardi Gras decor for their upcoming party can be a great gift to get their party started off right. Image courtesy of Michael’s.
For someone who loves decorating for every holiday, Mardi Gras home décor is a perfect gift. Think wreaths, garlands, table runners, centerpieces, and string lights in purple, green, and gold.
These decorations can completely change the feel of a space and make guests feel like they’re stepping into a mini Carnival celebration right at home. This is a thoughtful choice for hosts or anyone planning a Fat Tuesday party.
8. Mardi Gras Cocktail Kit or Festive Drinkware
Enjoy your cold drinks in a stemless tumbler, but make it Mardi Gras-themed!
Wine tumblers make for great gifts to get anyone who enjoys a cup of wine while socializing with friends or family that will stay chill or room temperature for hours. Image courtesy of Swig.
Drinks are often part of the Mardi Gras celebration, and a cocktail kit or festive drinkware set makes for a fun and practical gift. Include recipes for classic New Orleans drinks like Hurricanes or Sazeracs for an added touch.
Colorful glasses, shakers, or themed tumblers help set the mood and encourage a little celebration at home with friends or loved ones.
9. Mardi Gras Party Game or Trivia
Party games or trivia are a great way to get the party started with plenty of Mardi Gras ones to choose from!
Murder mystery games are extremely popular to do with friends with Mardi Gras-themed ones for hours of fun. Image courtesy of Areyougame.com.
If they love hosting or playing games with friends and family, a Mardi Gras party game or trivia set is a unique gift idea. Games centered around New Orleans history, traditions, or fun challenges add an extra layer of entertainment to the day.
It’s something different from the usual décor or food gifts and creates memories and laughter during the celebration. Games such as murder mysteries are extremely popular right now with plenty of Mardi Gras-themed ones to have you putting clues together and guessing who the killer really is.
10. Mardi Gras Gift Basket with Assorted Treats
Know someone hosting a Mardi Gras party? Get them this special gift as a way to say “thanks for the invite”!
Mardi Gras gift baskets with treats, such as macaroons, are a great gift to bring to any party to thank the host. Image courtesy of Gold Belly.
A Mardi Gras gift basket filled with beads, sweets like pralines, small masks, and festive décor makes a thoughtful and exciting gift to receive. Even something such as delicious macaroons that are Mardi Gras-themed with colors and flavors often associated with the special day. You can buy one pre-made or put together your own for a more personal touch.
This type of gift works especially well for long-distance friends or family members because it feels like you’re sending them a small piece of the celebration in one package.
11. Fleur-de-Lis Jewelry or Keepsake
Fleur-de-Lis jewelry is perfect to top off any Mardi-Gras outfit that represents the traditions of the holiday!
Sometimes a beautiful Mardi Gras keepsake–such as a necklace–can be the best gift for those the holiday means the most to. Image courtesy of Wine & Fire.
If you’re looking for a Mardi Gras gift that feels a little more meaningful and less party-focused, fleur-de-lis jewelry or a small keepsake is a beautiful option. The fleur-de-lis is one of the most recognizable symbols of New Orleans and Louisiana culture, and it ties directly into the history and traditions behind Mardi Gras.
This could be something simple like a necklace, bracelet, keychain, or even a decorative trinket for their home. It still connects to the celebration, but in a way that feels timeless rather than temporary. Long after the beads are put away and the decorations come down, this is something they can continue to wear or display year-round.
It’s a thoughtful gift for a significant other, a close friend, or a family member who appreciates the deeper meaning behind holidays and traditions. Instead of focusing only on the party side of Mardi Gras, this type of gift honors the culture, history, and symbolism that make the holiday so important in the first place.
Celebrate Mardi Gras with Gifts That Bring People Together
At its heart, Mardi Gras is about more than beads, bright colors, and parades. It’s a day rooted in tradition, faith, food, and spending meaningful time with the people you care about before the reflective season of Lent begins. Whether someone celebrates for religious reasons, cultural appreciation, or simply for the joy of the festivities, Mardi Gras gives everyone a reason to pause, gather, and enjoy life together.
And for those who may want to celebrate in their own way, a flexible option like a PerfectGift+ gift card gives them the freedom to choose exactly how they want to bring the spirit of New Orleans into their home.
Mardi Gras is essential to celebrate because it reminds us to enjoy life, indulge a little, and connect with others before life returns to its normal routines. It’s a holiday that encourages laughter, good food, bright colors, and togetherness — things we could all use more of throughout the year.
By choosing a thoughtful Mardi Gras gift, you’re not just giving someone an item. You’re giving them a reason to celebrate, gather, and create memories that feel just as vibrant as the holiday itself.
