Fat Tuesday Party Supplies: Everything You Need for 2025's Bash

Set the tone over a mantel or dessert table with this roughly 6-foot My Mind's Eye banner, which impressed us with gold foil accents that catch the light. Because it arrives with pre-attached twine, setup during our review took minutes—ideal when you're racing to decorate. The paper/cardstock pieces can crease or tear, and the design is on the smaller side for very wide walls, so we like layering it over a fringe curtain. Pro tip: order early; stock gets tight near the holiday.

Looking to frame an entrance or photo spot on the cheap? During our review, this $6.45 gold foil fringe dazzled with a shiny, reflective finish, and the 3 ft x 8 ft size fit standard doorways perfectly. It trims easily for custom lengths, but the thin foil can tear and arrive a bit tangled—unravel gently and use extra painter's tape or clips if your surface is textured. We found reinforcing the top edge and letting the strands relax out of the package gives a smoother, fuller look.

These Amethyst banquet plates bring a pop of Mardi Gras purple that matched product photos in our testing, immediately brightening buffet tables. We found them generally sturdy for appetizers, desserts, and moderate servings, and the range of pack sizes makes buying for small gatherings or big bashes painless. For heavy, saucy meals or foods that need cutting, plan on a charger underneath or a sturdier plate. A small caveat: durability can vary slightly between colors or batches.

Planning for a crowd? The Fun Express Bulk Mardi Gras Tableware Kit gives you 170 pieces (plates, napkins, and cups) - enough to serve up to 50 guests without scrambling for extras. In our testing, the prismatic Mardi Gras colors set the carnival vibe instantly, and the disposable design made cleanup painless after king cake and po'boys. Note it's budget/party-grade and not microwave safe, and a few sets arrived with a strong plastic smell; airing them out helps if you're hosting a more casual bash.

For big guest lists, this dozen-pack of feather masquerade masks delivers variety and value, and the elastic bands made sizing easy in our testing. Colors and styles vary, which adds fun but can mean a less uniform look for group photos. We did notice some loose feathers and glue spots, so our experience shows reinforcing with a dab of hot glue helps if you need them to last the night. At this price, they're perfect for giveaways, photo ops, and quick costume flair.

Nothing says Fat Tuesday like a classic Court Jester Hat, and this $19.99 pick pops with bright multicolor panels and cheerful bells that jingle with every step. In our testing, the internal elastic kept it secure on most heads, making it an easy crowd-pleaser for parades and parties. Do note the polyester/foam build can feel warm over long wear, and the one-size fit may not suit very large heads. Our experience shows it keeps shape best if you store it stuffed or hung to avoid creasing.

At just $0.47 each, these Beistle small round beads are ideal for stocking up for parade throws and party favors. During our review, the 33-inch length and assorted bright colors fit the Mardi Gras palette perfectly, and the lightweight 7mm beads were comfy for guests to wear. The trade-off is durability: clasps can snap and the inexpensive plastic is best for single-event use. We found a quick airing before the party helps dissipate any initial plastic odor.

Tossing beads is half the fun, and this pail delivers 144 necklaces in classic purple, green, and gold so everyone can get in on the tradition. During our review, we appreciated the bucket for easy transport to parades and quick cleanup after the party. Just know these are lightweight plastic and can feel flimsy compared with premium strands. At $39.98, they're not the cheapest throwables, but the volume and authentic theming make them a crowd-pleasing staple for Fat Tuesday.

In our testing, the JBL PartyBox 310 brought club-level volume and a lively RGB light show to outdoor patios and crowded living rooms, with battery life stretching past 17 hours. Transport wheels help, but it's heavy and bulky, so moving it solo up stairs isn't fun. Our experience shows the soundstage is narrow - place it centrally and avoid maxing the volume to reduce compression. For Fat Tuesday, it's a turnkey music-and-lights hub that keeps the party going long after the parade.

During our review, the Chauvet DJ Hurricane 1600 flooded medium-to-large rooms with dense fog within about four minutes, elevating lasers and LEDs dramatically. DMX support and the 15-foot wired remote made positioning and triggering straightforward for parade-themed scenes. Be aware the unit must stay level (no vertical blasts), and the wired remote can't fine-tune output unless you're on DMX, which limits flexibility. We also saw reports of heater failures after long sessions, so plan cooldown cycles and basic maintenance for big Fat Tuesday runs.

These 65.6 ft Govee RGBIC strips bring the parade home—vibrant, multi-color effects on a single run made our balcony and fence glow in testing. App and Wi-Fi control were dead simple, letting us set scenes, timers, and voice commands for hassle-free party lighting. Our experience shows the included mounting clips are sparse and the strip isn't cuttable, so plan your route and add extra clips or channels. For outdoor use, keep them under eaves; heavy rain and long exposure can challenge the IP65 coating.

We found the GigBAR Move ILS to be a one-bar solution that fills small-to-medium venues with bright LEDs, moving heads, and a punchy laser - perfect for Mardi Gras energy in minutes. Instant Light Shows made syncing with other ILS fixtures painless, so our setup time dropped dramatically. The trade-offs: sound-activated and preset modes can look busy, and deeper programming often means third-party software like SoundSwitch. Some users report moving-head failures over time, so keep spares or a backup plan for mission-critical shows.

Face paint is always a hit on Fat Tuesday, and this Snazaroo kit packs a broad palette, glitter gels, sponges, brushes, and a design guide that got us started fast. In our testing, the paints activated easily with water and washed off with soap, though some shades needed a couple of layers for bold color. The included tools are a weak spot—swap in softer brushes and better sponges—and patch test reds or blacks to avoid sensitivity or staining. Overall, a solid value for families and casual party artists.

These PartySticks kept our dance floor and porch steps glowing, and with 100 connectors it was easy to make bracelets and necklaces for guests. In our testing, the 8-10 hour glow was party-length, though brightness drops after the first few hours, and they're single-use plastic - have a disposal plan. They're advertised waterproof and non-toxic, which made pool games and kid-friendly crafts stress-free. Some buyers report opened or damaged packages, so check your order ahead of the big night.

For buffet-style jambalaya and gumbo, the Sterno 8 Qt. Foldable Frame Chafer gave our spread a professional stainless look and packed down small for transport. The kit includes two half-size pans, a water pan, lid, and dual fuel holders - everything you need in one box. Our experience shows first-time assembly can feel awkward, and economy chafers may have thin, sharp edges, so handle carefully. Some buyers report dented pans on arrival; unbox early to swap parts before Fat Tuesday.

Add instant laughs to your snapshot station with this $9.99 photo booth kit, printed on heavy cardstock that looked crisp and professional in our testing. It includes dowels and clear stickers, so assembly is quick, but plan a few minutes to attach sticks before guests arrive. Be mindful of small parts around kids, and store the props flat to avoid creases or bends. Compared with flimsier paper options, these hold up better through a full night of posing and parading.

For eco-minded hosts, these 16 oz PLA cold cups kept daiquiris, beer, and iced tea crystal-clear in our testing while staying BPA-free. They're commercially compostable to ASTM D6400, so our experience shows they shine when your venue has access to industrial composting. Do note they're not for hot drinks - heat can soften or deform them - and the 50-pack runs pricier per cup than basic plastic. If reducing waste is part of your Mardi Gras plan, the trade-off often feels worth it.

Planning a greener cleanup? In our testing, UNNI's 13-gallon compostable bags fit tall kitchen bins well and stayed neutral-smelling, plus they're certified BPI and OK Compost Home for eco-minded disposal. They're less sturdy than conventional plastic, so avoid sharp bones or rind edges, and consider double-bagging heavier loads. Our experience shows it pays to check local rules (some programs don't accept compostable liners) and to freeze wet scraps or use a vented caddy to reduce tears and leaks during a busy bash.