5 Festive Date Ideas To Celebrate Mardi Gras Together

Mardi Gras, meaning "Fat Tuesday" in French, is one of the biggest, sexiest parties of the year. The holiday of beads, booze and parades, actually originates as a Christian holiday with roots in medieval Europe. Everything is over the top from the parade floats to the tables of food, and it's the last hurrah before 40 days of Lent.

But even if you can't make it to the French Quarter this year, that doesn't mean you can't join the party! From feasting to your heart's delight to planning a secret rendezvous at a masquerade ball, here are five festive date night ideas to indulge in all of the fun of Fat Tuesday as a couple.

1Meet Each Other At A Masquerade Who said blind dates had to be awkward? Don your best masks and meet one another at a masked ball Whether they're elaborate traditional masks in the Venetian style or handmade with glitter, sequins and flirty feathers, it doesn't matter! The holiday tradition of hiding behind masks was born out of festival-goers' desires to play pretend and "mingle" (get it?) with people outside of their societal class. Who knows? It may lead to another round of roleplaying behind bedroom doors.

2Dig Into A Mardi Gras-Themed Feast It's Fat Tuesday, so Mardi Gras goers are enjoying everything from the muffaletta sandwiches to King Cake The colorful, flavorful pastry pictured here is the traditional sweet called King Cake!

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3Make Your Own Mardi Gras Beads Beads, beads, beads! What is Mardi Gras without strings of these colorful beads being thrown into the air? If you're looking for something a little less, well, risque, why not attend a bead-making artisan workshop together? You'll learn something new and both come away with a unique, handmade memento of your night together. Better yet, make beads for each other!

4Jazz It Up It wouldn't feel like Naw'leans without some smooth, soulful tunes Grab your cherie for a night of live music in a smoky, dimly lit jazz bar!

5Play Dress Up In A Costume Shop There's no better way to get in the spirit of Fat Tuesday than costumes! If you're not afraid to act a little goofy, head over to your nearest costume store and play around in the aisles Dress each other up or set out to best one another by putting together the most ridiculous, over-the-top getup! It's a great way to break the ice!

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