Ready to celebrate Mardi Gras? Looking for authentic ways to welcome spring and prepare for Lent while having fun? While there are many different traditions surrounding this celebration, none are as obvious as throwing (and wearing) colorful beads! What beads do you need during Mardi Gras? Where can you find Mardi Gras beads? What should you know about buying beads online? In this article, we tackle each of these questions.
Why Beads?
First, let’s tackle the question of why beads are used in Mardi Gras in the first place. They’re a time-honored part of the Fat Tuesday celebration, and they’re worn by almost everyone during this time. However, beads weren’t originally used. “Throws” were part of the celebration from the early 1800s, but they started out as sugar-coated almonds. Later, throws became cheap glass beads. Today, they’ve evolved into strings of plastic beads. However, strings of other items are sometimes used, including plastic cups, plastic crowns, and plastic doubloons to name just a few.
Where to Buy Mardi Gras Beads?
Whether you’re supplying your family or preparing a float for the parade, you’ll need to stock up on plastic beads. You can buy them in many different places, but the Internet is probably the best place for those looking for a wide selection and the best possible prices. Of course, you’ll need to know a few things about buying beads online beforehand.
First, make sure that the company you’re buying from can offer expedited shipping. This is particularly true if you’re running behind and Mardi Gras is fast approaching.
Second, make sure that you can buy from a company that offers high-quality beads. You want to avoid beads with inferior finishes that will peel off quickly, or fade in a short time. You don’t have to spend a fortune to find higher quality strings of beads with the right retailer.
Finally, consider working with a retailer that can offer you layaway payments. This is an ideal solution if you’re planning a large celebration and need to order a lot of beads at one time. Layaway payments spread out your cost over time, making it easier to afford the beads you need.
In the end, beads are a hallmark of Mardi Gras. Whether you’re involved in a New Orleans parade, or participating in another area’s celebration, you’ll need beads to throw to the crowd and to decorate your costumes with.
