Now, of course, everyone knows what a Christmas tree is, but only people who live in the Deep South have ever seen a Mardi Gras tree. This is the newest decoration for this festive time of celebration before Lent begins.
It started as a fluke when someone was unwilling or unwilling to take down their artificial Christmas tree once the season had passed. So most of the Christmas-type decorations were removed and ones that included purple and gold were added and voila, the Mardi Gras tree was born. It didn’t take long for the new tradition to catch on and homes throughout the South began to adopt the newer decor. Many homes had long had a traditional Mardi Gras wreath, but this was something more, a beautiful addition to any party and gathering.
For two weeks leading up to the big day, green, purple and gold lights can be seen flickering in the windows of homes along the Gulf Coast. Most residents here enjoy looking at the carefully decorated trees and see this as a way to avoid the monotony of winter once the merry Christmas season has passed. Even department stores have joined in the practice and continue to sell a small number of artificial trees when the holiday season is over. Of course, the decorations that go on a Mardi Gras tree are a little different than what would go on a Christmas tree, more or less. While the strings of beads that decorate a Christmas tree tend to strung around the tree, the beads that go on a Mardi Gras tree are usually of the strand variety and strung that way as well.
The garland that goes around the tree is usually hung in the same way, however the color is purple instead of red. Mooncakes that can also be hung on the tree like traditional ornaments are hung on a Christmas tree. The best way to do this is to leave the mooncake wrapped in cellophane and use plastic-wrapped ornament hangers. Mooncakes come in various flavors and provide colorful and tasty decorations for the tree. Traditional mooncake colors (and flavors) include banana yellow, chocolate brown, vanilla white, and orange-orange. These, along with various candies and doubloons, are also used on the tree.
Of course, all the Mardi Gras trees these days are artificial because the real ones sold for use at Christmas would have dried out and would be brown and withered. Perhaps at some point in the near future, those who are bringing Christmas trees will see that there is a market for real trees during the Mardi Gras season. For now though people in the south just adapt and keep their artificial trees longer than usual or buy a separate one just for the season.
The people of the Gulf Coast take the celebrations of the Mardi Gras season seriously and everyone wants to make sure that their homes and offices reflect the festive time for everyone to enjoy.
