If you have never been to a traditional Mardi Gras party, then
you are missing out. There are lots of different traditions and rituals
which started at the Mardi Gras parades in New Orleans and have quickly
spread to other Gras festivals around the county (and around the world).
One of the most unique Mardi Gras traditions is the tossing of special
items known as "throws" from this Gras floats into the watching crowds.
These throws are usually strings of cheap beads, strings of shells,
wooden doubloons inscribed with the logo of the float, decorated cups,
decorated plastic items or small inexpensive toys.
Many of the "krewes" who ride on the floats in the Mardi Gras parades will actually spend weeks or months before each parade preparing their special throws. This preparation may involve hunting down and ordering throws, or it may involve stringing thousands of cheap plastic beads onto strings to use as gifts for the crowd. Whilst it is much easier for krewes to order their throws in readymade, spending time making throws can be an important part of the festivities for some smaller krewes.. Making beaded throws gives each krewe the opportunity to create something completely unique which represents their float. Cheap beads are widely available in lots of different colors, shapes and styles, so these groups have plenty of options to choose from if they want to design their own necklace throws. Many parents will also make their own throw necklaces if they are having private Mardi Gras parties with their families and children.
The period leading up to Mardi Gras in New Orleans is one of the busiest times for printers and logo experts in New Orleans as krewes seek to get their logos stamped upon a wide range of items. Bead sellers have previously stated that tens of thousands of crates of cheap beads enter the city in the days leading up to the main festivities. Other cities which celebrate Mardi Gras have noted similar trends. Many of the beads which are used in New Orleans are ordered in from China, as Chinese bead sellers are best placed to fulfill such large orders for beads at an affordable price. In order to receive this many beads for the Mardi Gras Parade, most large krewes must place their order by September.
Throwing strings of cheap beads first became popular at the beginning of the 20th century. As "throws" became a more and more popular part of the Mardi Gras parade, krewes became more and more creative about what they decided to toss out to the waiting crowds. Krewes began to throw plastic toys such as Frisbees out to the crowd so that they would have something fun to take home with them. One krewe is even famed for handing out hand-painted coconuts to audience members, although these items are new usually handed out by people who are walking alongside the floats, as throwing whole coconuts was considered to be a serious health and safety issue.
Many of the "krewes" who ride on the floats in the Mardi Gras parades will actually spend weeks or months before each parade preparing their special throws. This preparation may involve hunting down and ordering throws, or it may involve stringing thousands of cheap plastic beads onto strings to use as gifts for the crowd. Whilst it is much easier for krewes to order their throws in readymade, spending time making throws can be an important part of the festivities for some smaller krewes.. Making beaded throws gives each krewe the opportunity to create something completely unique which represents their float. Cheap beads are widely available in lots of different colors, shapes and styles, so these groups have plenty of options to choose from if they want to design their own necklace throws. Many parents will also make their own throw necklaces if they are having private Mardi Gras parties with their families and children.
The period leading up to Mardi Gras in New Orleans is one of the busiest times for printers and logo experts in New Orleans as krewes seek to get their logos stamped upon a wide range of items. Bead sellers have previously stated that tens of thousands of crates of cheap beads enter the city in the days leading up to the main festivities. Other cities which celebrate Mardi Gras have noted similar trends. Many of the beads which are used in New Orleans are ordered in from China, as Chinese bead sellers are best placed to fulfill such large orders for beads at an affordable price. In order to receive this many beads for the Mardi Gras Parade, most large krewes must place their order by September.
Throwing strings of cheap beads first became popular at the beginning of the 20th century. As "throws" became a more and more popular part of the Mardi Gras parade, krewes became more and more creative about what they decided to toss out to the waiting crowds. Krewes began to throw plastic toys such as Frisbees out to the crowd so that they would have something fun to take home with them. One krewe is even famed for handing out hand-painted coconuts to audience members, although these items are new usually handed out by people who are walking alongside the floats, as throwing whole coconuts was considered to be a serious health and safety issue.
Cheap beads are used for plenty of things. One of the most famous uses for cheap beads is in Mardi Gras throws.
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