Simple Ways to Celebrate Shrove Tuesday (Mardi Gras!)

The Tuesday before Lent has many names and is celebrated in different ways around the world. The first word in “Shrove Tuesday,” for example, means “to confess,” as it was customary to go to Confession before the beginning of Lent. Historically there is a widespread custom of using all the fats, meats, and dairy products in the house before entering into the Lenten season of fasting and abstinence. This led to nicknames in Louisiana and France of “Mardi Gras” (Fat Tuesday), and in Latin American countries it is known as “Carnival” (Farewell to Meat). It is a day of great indulgence in rich foods and celebration before entering into the penitential season of Lent.

Here are a few ways to celebrate!

Enjoy a King Cake 

Like they do in New Orleans, eat a king cake. You can even decorate an angel food cake in purple and green if you can’t find a real king cake. Similar to the Rosca de Reyes cake there can be a baby Jesus for someone to find and be crowned king!

Eat Your Favorite Foods

Indulge in your favorite foods as a last hoorah before the fasting and prayer of the Lenten season. I like to go to In n’ Out Burger for burgers and f

Have a Picnic

In Greece, it’s custom to celebrate “Clean Monday” on the Monday before Ash Wednesday by going for a picnic and flying kites.

Have Fun with a Piñata

The Sunday before Lent in Denmark, people fill a piñata-like barrel with candy. Whoever breaks the piñata are crowned the Cat King and Cat Queen (because the barrel used to contain a live cat instead of candy). 

You can print out our cat masks and string with ribbon. Use blankets for capes or buy king and queen dress-up sets to don on the winners. We also made felt crowns.

Make Masks or Headdresses

Use sparkly things, feathers, and gems to decorate store-bought masks like in New Orleans or headdresses like in Brazil. 

Go to Confession

Prepare yourself for Lent with a clean soul.