'Do It Yourself Mardi Gras Wreath'

Mardi Gras wreath made from ornaments

Laissez les bons temps rouler!

At least, that’s what I plan to say next week as I head down south to New Orleans to celebrate Mardi Gras. But before I pack my suitcase and skip out of New York City, I need to get myself in the Mardi Gras spirit.

A little decorating will do the trick. For my friends that cannot come away with me for five nights of Hurricanes, Mardia Gras floats, live jazz music and jumbalaya, they can bring New Orleans to them.

Here’s how you can make your own Mardi Gras wreath:

Mardi Gras green wreath made from various

What you will need

A Styrofoam wreath

Fabric/ Ribbon in classic Mardi Gras colors like Purple, Green and Yellow/Gold

Netting and Embellishments such as feathers, boa, little plastic masks, ornaments and beads in Mardi Gras colors

Greening pins or wire for securing the decorations on the wreath

Glue gun

Glue sticks

Wreath hanger

What you do

First begin by wrapping netting and fabric around the Styrofoam wreath/vine wreath. Cover the entire surface area of the wreath. Use the greening pins/wire to hold in place.

Use the glue gun to secure any flyaway fabric and/or netting. For a feathery wreath, try wrapping a Mardi Gras boa around the wreath and glue in place.

Ribbon could also be used to create a wreath rife with bows. Use two ribbon lengths (one long, one short) and tie the end of the longer ribbon with the shorter ribbon in a double knot on the wreath. Move further along the wreath and repeat this same step. Be consistent in the distance between ties. You can do the entire wreath this way, or just create a few ties at the bottom.

If you plan to add embellishments (feathers, beads, Mardi Gras masks, etc.), attach the embellishments onto the wreath using the pins and glue gun.

Let the wreath dry for a few hours.

Attach wreath to wreath hanger and door and enjoy your new Mardi Gras wreath.

-S. Gonzalez

*Photos courtesy of flickr.com