SFT’s Mardi Gras Fact Sheet | Your Lagniappe Box

This January Lagniappe Box is all about celebrating Mardi Gras and getting the party started! To kick off the Carnival Season, we thought we’d share some fun facts about Mardi Gras traditions mixed with a little history.

• We’ve been partying in Louisiana since our first Mardi Gras -- all the way back in March 1699! But did you know that Fat Tuesday is an official state holiday in Alabama and Florida, too? Mobile, Alabama is actually known for having the oldest “formally organized” Mardi Gras celebrations in the country --  dating all the way back to 1703. But we know Louisiana is the best state, so show your LA Pride in your new SFT Iconic Mardi Gras LA tee!

• Louisiana first celebrated Mardi Gras with parades in 1837, and the first floats appeared in the New Orlean’s parade in 1857. Beads weren’t thrown until the early 1900s -- by Santa of all people! Today, you’ll also catch stuffed animals, toys and lots more. If you’re really lucky, you might get your hands on custom-decorated Zulu coconuts or glitter and jeweled shoes from the Krewe of Muses! Whatever you catch, hold them in your new SFT Mardi Gras bead bag!

• Traditional Mardi Gras colors include purple, green and gold (Colors that always go together in our book!) The purple signifies justice, gold means power and green stands for faith. And you’ve got all the colors on your new Mardi Gras stripe key fob from Firebolt Creations!

• While the parades are the first thing we think about when it comes to Mardi Gras, the traditional Mardi Gras balls are a huge part of Carnival Season. It’s estimated there are 150+ balls each year across the state. Have one on your calendar? Pamper yourself beforehand with the Mardi Gras Mambo bath bomb by Scentsational Aromas, located in Denham Springs. It will leave you feeling refreshed and ready to dance all night long! 

• A few food items are associated with Mardi Gras traditions, like the The MoonPie which has become an iconic throw for the Gulf South parades. The MoonPie was first created in 1917, but it wasn’t part of Mardi Gras until the 1970s when krewes were looking for something small and soft to throw. Before, the food of choice was Cracker Jacks -- which was pretty painful to be hit in the head with. Now, MoonPies are thrown by the thousands each year.

• The most iconic food during Carnival Season is by far the King Cake. Each year, more than 500,000 King Cakes are sold in just New Orleans alone! The King Cake includes a tiny plastic baby Jesus and the person who finds it is considered “King” for the week and must buy the next cake. It’s also said whoever finds the baby Jesus has good luck all year! Bring the cake to your next party with your Ambrosia Bakery 15% off coupon! Order now through March 1 and pick up in store or have it shipped anywhere in the US.

We know you’ll be loaded down with beads before long, but we threw in a little something extra! Enjoy your SFT  Lagniappe koozie out on the parade routes this season.

Plus, don’t forget to tag us during your Carnival festivities @shopSFT and with our hashtag #LagniappeBox for your chance to win a FREE February box!