How to: Create a Custom Mardi Gras Centerpiece

In a few days, Epiphany will signal the beginning of the 2011 Mardi Gras season. What a perfect time to start planning decorations for Mardi Gras. Creating a Mardi Gras centerpiece can be fun and simple. Use the 10 simple steps provided below to create a festive Mardi Gras Mask Centerpiece or use the basic steps to create your own themed centerpiece.

For Mardi Gras decorations, there are a few simple things to remember. The traditional Mardi Gras colors are: purple, green and gold. Mardi Gras decorations should be predominately these traditional colors. Also, the more glitter and glitz the better. Mardi Gras decorations are best when sparkly and metallic.

10 easy steps to create a sparkly Mardi Gras centerpiece:

STEP 1:  Choose a container for your centerpiece.

Here, we picked a fabric covered, striped Mardi Gras box. Ideally, you want a container that has a large opening so you can layer in multiple Mardi Gras decorations and a nice flat bottom so it sits securely. Placed in the Mardi Gras box are two standard blocks of floral foam. Use floral foam labeled for artificial flower arrangements, not the type for wet floral arrangements. Two blocks of the standard size foam fit snugly in this box so there was no need to trim or anchor them. If you need to cut the floral foam down to size to fit your container, use a knife or scissors to shape the block for your container.

STEP 2:  Add height to the centerpiece with floral sprays

Add an element of height to the centerpiece with tall floral sprays, picks or branches. We chose these two Mardi Gras curls floral sprays which added height and a sense of whimsy. Pairs or a group of  three creates a more pleasing arrangement. This pair of curly Mardi Gras streamer sprays anchored into the floral foam is situated on opposite corners of the box to balance the visual weight of the centerpiece.

Step 3: Add a focal point and center filler to the centerpiece.

A striking Fantasia Feather mask on a stick becomes the centerpiece focal point. The colors of the feather mask coordinate with both the box and floral sprays so the whole centerpiece is cohesive. To mimic the feather accents on the mask, a large feathery floral spray called, Weeping Grass Mardi Gras spray, is added to the center of the arrangement. This Mardi Gras grass spray not only provides height and filler, but also repeats the feathery details on the purple mask.

Step 4: Fill in the open base of the centerpiece container

Step 5: Create custom floral spray/picks out of  Deco Mesh

To hide the green floral foam and base of the the floral picks, we created fluffy floral sprays out of the 21" wide roll of poly deco mesh in the traditional Mardi Gras colors of purple, green and gold. We used the supplies shown above for these simple floral sprays (21" wide deco mesh, floral wire and scissors).

Step 6:  Cut the deco mesh into squares. 

Roll out the deco mesh and cut squares that are approximately 21" square. For this arrangement we used (6) six sprays of the deco mesh to cover the floral foam, so we needed 6 square pieces of deco mesh, two from each of the three colors. In addition, cut the same number of pieces (6) of floral wire. The pieces of  floral wire need to be approximately 16" long.

Step 7: Gather the deco mesh to form a floral spray

Gather up the deco mesh by the center of the square to form a puff or flower shape out of each. Wrap the wire around this gathered section in your hand to secure it into this form.

Step 8: Use the floral wire to create a wire stem

Wrap the end of the deco mesh to form a stem  for this floral spray. At the base of the stem, wrap the wire to create a pick for this deco mesh spray. This wire end will be the pick used to insert the deco mesh into the floral foam of the centerpiece. Repeat the process with the remaining 5 pieces of deco mesh.

Step 9: Cover the floral foam at the base

Using the wire tips on the deco mesh sprays you created, insert the sprays of deco mesh into the floral foam at the base of the centerpiece. Layer in alternating colors of deco mesh across the entire base until you can no longer see the floral foam.

Step 10: Fluff and arrange the pieces of the centerpiece.

After all the parts of this centerpiece are assembled, take a step back and arrange the pieces to balance each other. The curls of the wired sprays can be manipulated into any place and shape you prefer.The floral foam is very forgiving so if you need to move a piece of the arrangement, simply pull it out and move it to another spot. Be sure to look at the the design from the angle it will be presented a the party. For example, if the centerpiece will be displayed on a round table make sure it looks good from all sides. Don't forget this important step. It can make the difference between a good design and a great one.

At the base of the completed centerpiece scatter purple, green and gold Mardi Gras beads and doubloons. These Mardi Gras parade throws add to the festive feel of the centerpiece and gives your guests a little something to take home.

Links to supplies:

Mardi Gras Nesting Boxes

Floral Wire

Curly Floral Spray

Purple Fantasia Feather Stick Mask
White Fantasia Feather Mask
Weeping Grass Mardi Gras Spray

Poly Deco Mesh Rolls

For Mardi Gras centerpiece options, see these links:

 Mardi Gras Floral Sprays and Picks
Centerpiece Vases and Bases

Mardi Gras Masks

Poly Deco Mesh Products

Mardi Gras Beads

Mardi Gras Floral and Craft Supplies

Use these 10 easy steps to create a custom Mardi Gras centerpiece of your own!

Be sure to share your ideas with us at ideas@mardigrasoutlet.com.

Here are even more Mardi Gras centerpiece ideas and tutorials:

A Feather Tree Centerpiece for Mardi Gras: a Tutorial

Air-Filled Balloon Centerpiece

Mardi Gras Floral Arrangement with Submersible Aqua Lights

Black and Gold Masquerade Centerpiece