Make Your Own Mardi Gras Masks
Looking for a fun activity to do at your Mardi Gras party? Or plan to participate in the Mardi Gras festivities in New Orleans and want a unique mask? A homemade Mardi Gras mask is a great way to celebrate Fat Tuesday no matter where you celebrate!
Mardi Gras masks were originally used to hide identity and social class at masquerade balls. Today, Mardi Gras masks are beautiful, unique pieces of art that people wear in celebration of the holiday.
Here are some helpful tips and creative ideas for how to make your very own Mardi Gras mask:
- Purchase Materials: To make your Mardi Gras mask, you will need a blank eye mask or thick white cardboard from which to cut a mask. If you decide to make your mask out of cardboard, it is a good idea to draw the shape of your mask on tracing paper and then transfer the original onto the cardboard. Other materials that you may want to use to decorate your mask include beads, ribbons, feathers, paint, glitter, and faux jewels. Also, don't forget the scissors and glue! You may also want to purchase extra supplies in case you want to start over or modify your original design.
- Choose Colors: Purple, gold, silver, and green are popular colors found on Mardi Gras masks and decorations. Incorporate these colors into your homemade masks as the main color scheme or as accent colors.
- Decide on a Hand-held or Wearable Mask: There are two options for how to make your mask; you can make a mask that you hold with a stick or make one that ties behind your head. There are benefits to each design based on whether you want to wear your mask the whole time at your party or take it off occasionally. If you decide to have your mask on a stick, use a glue gun to attach a wooden dowel stick that is about 6 to 8 inches in length. Hold the stick for about 5 minutes to make sure that it will stay in place. If you decide to have your mask tie behind your head, use a hole punch to make small holes on each side of your mask. Tie a piece of black ribbon to each hole. Make sure that the ribbon is long enough to tie comfortably behind your head.
- Be Creative: Decorate your mask using bright colors and a variety of different textures. Tin foil makes a great base to start with when decorating. Use different colors of paint to create designs and shapes. Glue on beads, jewels, sequence and glitter around the rim of the mask to frame your face. You can also add curled ribbon to the front and sides of the mask and colorful feathers.
If you're hosting a Mardi Gras party, be sure to set the stage for your event with online Mardi Gras invitations. Customize and send from any digital device in minutes!
Finally, don't forget to send gorgeous, digital Mardi Gras cards to loved ones to celebrate the day! Personalize the written message inside and send by text or email instantly.
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