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jewellery asked:

Amendments India’s Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 have meant that there will be more compensation for those making accident claims, new reports have shown. According to the latest official statistics from the Indian government, over 100,000 people were killed in road accidents in India in 2006 and nearly half a million were injured. That means one accident per minute and a fatal one every five minutes.

The plan for amendments to the Motor vehicles Act form part of a national effort to control accidents, due to be introduced in the coming session of parliament. They include suspending the licence of a drunk driver on the spot for up to three months. There were around 460,000 road accidents in the country in 2006, Minister of Shipping, Road Transport and Highways T.R. Baalu stated, killing 105,749 people and injuring nearly 500,000. At 2000 prices, the losses due to road accidents were Rs.550 billion (nearly $14 billion) a year, which amounted to 3% of India’s GDP, Baalu told the consultative committee of MPs attached to his ministry.

With the amendments to the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, “the penalties for various traffic offences are proposed to be enhanced substantially to make it more deterrent”, Baalu said.

“We have proposed that the authorised enforcement authorities may suspend on the spot the driving licence of a drunken driver for a period up to three months and we are also proposing to introduce civil liabilities of a driver by providing penalty up to Rs.5,000 if one drives a motor vehicle in a rash or negligent manner, causing injury to a person or damage to property.”

Another amendment proposes to raise the interim compensation to accident victims to Rs.100,000 in case of death or permanent total disablement and to Rs.50,000 in case of permanent partial disablement, the minister said. The claimants will be paid within three months from the date of filing the application in the Motor Accident Claim Tribunal (MACT) or civil court.

“We are also providing that the MACT or civil court shall try to finally dispose off the claim for compensation within a period of two years from the date of its filing,” added Baalu.

The ministry is designing new model inspection and maintenance centres to be set up by state governments for inspection of motor vehicle, with the centre said to be giving financial assistance to set them up. The government will also soon approve the Sundar Committee’s proposal to earmark at least one percent of the money generated from the cess on diesel and petrol for a road safety fund, Baalu said, adding “the committee’s proposal for creation of an apex body, the National Road Safety & Traffic Management Board, is also being processed at the highest level.”

The committee to look into the matter of promotion of road safety in educational institutions through Road Safety Clubs has given its report and a scheme costing Rs.1.2 billion during the 11th plan (2007-2012) has been formulated and sent to the Planning Commission for approval.

The Motor Accident Claims Tribunals have been constituted by different State Governments, for the speedy disposal of third party claims, in accordance with Section 110 of the M V Act 1939. Such tribunals are presided over by a person of the rank of a District Judge or High Court Judge. Only a nominal fee has to be paid for instituting a case and the court fee is not based on the value of the suit.  Thus, poor third party claimants are not prevented from making proper claims. All third party claims for personal injury and property damage have to be filed with the tribunals.

jewellery asked:

Children’s birthday parties can be very tiring, both to organise, and to run. Expectations are always high. You want the day to go well and without a hitch, whilst your child wants to have the best fun possible. Unfortunately, all too often circumstances often dictate that if something can go wrong it will. Add to that that the children are hyped-up, and by the end of the day are frequently very tired, and you can see that it is worth taking a little time to try and prevent it all going pear-shaped.

If you start with the objective of trying to achieve a smooth flow throughout the day, then you can see that planning is really going to be your saviour. Planning will allow you to feel happy that you haven’t forgotten anything. Planning will ensure that all the jobs need to do get done. Planning should make sure you have sufficient lead time to order goods and have them delivered. Planning really is key!! At the most basic level, you should make a list of the things you need to do and buy so that you don’t forget anything. But remember, the more you plan, the less chance you have it going wrong on you.

Don’t forget though, that as much as you want the guests to enjoy themselves, to get the best out of the day, you need to enjoy it yourself as well. If you’re tired and stressed you won’t be happy, and the children will soon pick up on it.

The first thing to do is find out what theme your child would like. I have heard of a party organised around a certain theme, only to find out that the cartoon character their child was mad about for the last 6 months was no longer their favourite!!, Do ask your child, and get them involved in the planning if you think it.

The Venue

Deciding where to hold the party is usually quite easy. If you’ve got the space you can of course hold it at your home. If you can afford it, you can pay to hire somewhere. Other options are in a park or outdoor space.

Outdoors

* How safe is it?

* Distance. Can you easily transport everything?

*Fall back plan if the weather turns bad

Indoors

* Which area will be used and is it suitable

* Keep some rooms closed so that you know where all the guests are and can keep an eye on them

* Remove any ornaments

Timing

Young children need their sleep, so plan it around likely sleep patterns. Lunchtime parties allow you to have some fun, feed them and then either say goodbye to them, or give them a quick nap. For school age children, a weekday after school can work well as it allows you to say goodbye to them with the excuse of it being a school day tomorrow. Don’t forget, you will need to allow time to clear up afterwards.

When to finish

The best advice here is less is more. You don’t want to allow the party to run on too long. The downsides can be many. Tired children, tears, over-excitement, and sickness to name but a few. Make sure everyone knows when the party will end, so that they are there promptly to pick up their children.

The younger children up to 4 years will often have had enough after only a couple of hours. It is a good idea to try to get the children’s mothers to attend with this age group as toddlers are much more labour intensive. It also makes you life much easier

For older age groups, you can extend it to 3 or 4 hours, but really unless you’ve planned a full day with an excursion, you should be definite about keeping it shorter…

Guest Numbers

With younger children, keep the numbers down. Not only do they require more supervision, but some children get upset with too many new faces. Older children are less of a problem, indeed quite often bigger groups almost run themselves, but it takes a brave parent to try it. Either way, make sure you have enough help to run it

If your child is at school, you will need to be sensitive to the fact that class mates need to be invited even if they aren’t ‘best friends’. If you don’t invite someone, be discrete about it.

With sleep over parties, numbers should be kept down, impose strict deadlines on the guests unless you want to be up half of the night.

Cost

It is all too easy to let your wish to have the biggest and best party, run roughshod over the cost. Parties can be expensive, but the cost can be kept down by careful purchasing, good planning, and doing some of the work your self.

* Home cook the food

* Use your own home or garden.

* Make your own party games.

Birthday Party Themes

There are any number of themes to choose from. If your child is old enough, no doubt they will make their feelings known on the subject. If not, you can choose a particular colour or perhaps flowers or horses or some other general theme.

Invitations

Give yourself plenty of time to get these sent out. It is surprising how far ahead other people will be booked up, and you don’t want your child’s best friend to be missing or you really will start out with an uphill battle to make it a success. It’s usually worth taking the time to send invitations as then you are more sure of how many will be coming, and what numbers to cater for. Post them at least a month ahead.

 

Decorations

You can really go to town with decorations. Decking the house out really sets the tone for the party and kids really love it. It’s one way to make your party stand out. At the least you will want balloons and streamers which are really inexpensive. If the budget will stand it, you can splash out on scene setters which cover the whole wall, and they’re available in lots of themes.

Again, if you can afford it, decorate as many rooms as you can as it gives the whole party a lift. You can buy party banners for putting on doors, especially the front door. Your entrance is very important, and will help your guests find you

One Day Before

Your day will go much more easily if you get as much as you can finish before the event. This will lessen the pressure on you during the party and allow you to enjoy it more. Food is usually fairly easy to prepare and refrigerate or freeze. A better way is to share out some of the work among the other parents if you can persuade them to do it.

Party Day

By now it usually too late to do anything other than welcome the gusts and start the hard work. The emphasis on the day moves from planning to organising and managing. Keep control of the party or it will control you!! This means being firm with your guests, making sure they behave, letting them know what you are going to do and also what is expected of them. If bad behaviour starts, nip it in the bud before it gets out of hand. It rarely needs more than a firm word to sort things out.

Photos will give you and your family something to remember the day with. If you have family members who can’t make it, then you can send them a photo or two. Polaroid cameras used to be good fun because you could show everyone the photos before they went home. These days digital cameras fulfil the same function. If you haven’t got one, you should be able to borrow one, or ask one of the guests to do it all for you.

Safety

Safety comes first when holding a party. Make sure you have a well stocked first aid cabinet. Excitable groups of children running around means that there is always the possibility of a minor accident, or even a major one. So be prepared.

You are responsible for the safety of the children in your care. Make sure you have the contact numbers of all the parents just in case you need to call them, if only to get them picked up early if all else fails.

Entertainers

Party entertainers are few in number and consequently get booked up well in advance. Book early!! The good thing is there are lots of different entertainers these days so you’re not stuck with a clown or magician. Now you can get jugglers, face painters, activity organisers and a whole host of others.

Bouncy Castles

These can be great fun if you can squeeze one in to your garden. Make sure it has suitable to be used in the rain.

Lately there has been a case of a guest successfully suing the party organiser after an accident on a bouncy castle. Make sure you have adequate supervision if you hire one of these.

Presents

These days, everyone expects to go home with something, but that doesn’t mean you they have to be expensive. A piece of cake, a few balloons and some small toys is often enough. Remember, the fun in a party is in the games they play and the fun they have whilst they are at the party. The presents are something they take home at the end of it.

Planning the party games can save you some money. Pass the parcel is easy, but takes time to wrap up the gift in all those layers of paper. Treasure hunts are great, but take time to set up

Candy

Make sure you have some sweets, but don’t overdo it. To many sweets means you run the risk of sick children!! Any you have left over can be divided up at the end for them to take home. They don’t have to cost a lot, opt for small chews and sweets as it makes them go a lot further and small kids love them. Also, chocolate bars tend to melt and make a mess.

admin asked:

One of the most enjoyable ways to enjoy your home bar and wine furniture is to have a wine and cheese party. To make the party a big hit, however, requires creativity and planning. In planning your party, your first step is to select a theme. For example, do you want wines and cheeses from all over the world represented? Or, do you want wines and cheeses representing just one region, California for example. For the sake of putting our focus on a particular theme, let’s use wines and cheeses from all over the world.

When you send out your invitations to the party, make sure they detail the party’s theme. For time’s sake it’s best to assign a region to each guest, or multiple guests, depending on the number of people you anticipate will attend. Each guest will be instructed to bring a bottle of wine and a cheese from that region.

Alternate between red wines, white wines, and even sparkling wines with each invited guest. Give your guests a suggested price range as well. For some extra fun and ambiance, have your guests bring a theme decoration or two representing their assigned regions,( the country’s flag, for example). Make sure that your guests are instructed to r.s.v.p. This is important for determining the supplies you’ll need to provide.

When your guests arrive, give them a glass for red wine and a glass for white wine. Also have some Champagne flutes available for the sparkling wines. Make certain that you have at least one ice bucket and/or wine chiller available to keep the cold wines chilled. As far as needed bar accessories, you’ll want a cheese slicer and several special cheese knives. The cheese slicer features a thin band, and is essential for many soft cheeses. If your guests have not cut up their hard cheeses, have them do so in small squares.

Make sure you provide plenty of toothpicks. It’s also a good idea to have bottled water handy to refresh the palate between wines and cheeses. Your guests should be situated in “stations” around your home bar area. A word here about wine openers. An event like a wine and cheese party will definitely help you understand the value of a “heavy-duty” wine opener! When you’re opening this many bottles of wine, a commercial quality opener will make the task almost effortless. A savings of energy that you’ll appreciate at the end of the day! Definitely invest in a quality opener if you haven’t already.

Use a mobile wine cart to move around the room and attend to your guests. A wine cart is an excellent resource at a wine and cheese party! Also, for those of you that would like to get fancy, provide your guests with wine adornments. These adornments attach to the stem of the wine glass and allow wine drinkers to identify their own glasses. Wine adornments are available in a variety of wine oriented themes.

By following these simple suggestions and guidelines, your wine and cheese party will be a smashing success! It might even inspire you to form your own wine “club.” Good luck!!

admin asked:

Dear Home Party Consultant, Direct Sales Rep., & Direct Selling Business Owner,

In my last article, An Open Letter To : Direct Sales Consultant, Direct Selling Business Owners On How To Triple Home Party Sales we laid the foundation for improving direct selling ratios. Today we are going to focus our minds of increasing and improving home party sales ratios. This will lead to more home party sales and direct sales profit!

There are 5 ratios that will factor into your tracking:

1. Dialing/Contact Ratio : How may dials and/or contacts to do you make a week?

2. The Home Party Booking & Appointment Ratio — Of the people you do connect with or have a conversation with, how many of them book an at home party?

3. The Hosting/At Home Party Show Ratio — Of those who make the appointment to host an in home show party, how many actually showed.

4. The Closing Ratio — Of those who showed, how many of those resulted in home party sales? In other words how many people made a purchase? These sales do not have to be limited to your in home party demonstration. Did you send out catalog to your hostess to hand out to those who are unable to attend home parties?

5. Follow Up & Follow Through Ratio — How often to you follow up with those have expressed an interest but haven’t nailed a time or place? What about those that show up to a home party and don’t purchase? What about catalog sales? The are sales waiting to happen. Don’t drop the ball because you got a no or a not now.

The most powerful direct sales training tips I ever got were from a man name Jeffery Zalweski “the power of 45”.

To get on the right track you must first set some benchmarks. For example, depending on what you are selling and how frequently people buy what you’re selling, set a target amount of people to speak to per day this is what we call a benchmark!

I recommend a 10 a day regimen. Most people will tell you that sales is a numbers game and they are right about that. Problem is what numbers count? Make it about quality not quantity! Make 10 dials/per day or 10 -15 contacts/day

Then, set a benchmark for the number of people you want to make an appointment to host a home party. Finally set a bench mark for the number or amount of home party sales you would like.

Start each day by tabulating/documenting exactly what happens. That will give you a rough idea of what your ratios look like.

The Appointment Ratio – 40% (If you speak to 10 people, 4 people will book home parties)

The Show Ratio – 60% (If you make an appointment with 10 people, 6 will show/attend the in home party)

The Close Ratio 50% – (If you do a home party demo/presentation to 10 people 5 will buy).

Based on these ratios, to get 3 sales per day, you would need to contact 40 people per day. Of those 40, 12 would make an appointment, 6 would show and 3 would buy.

As you put this process in place, you will see what your true ratios are, but it’s at the very least a starting point. As time goes on, you will also begin to figure out how many calls you need to make each day to reach your estimated goals. This right here is the key to home party plan success, knowing that it takes to get you to the next level.

Here is the best news ever, with time you will notice an interesting phenomenon, that once you improve your booking ratio, you will need to speak to less people to make the same amount of money. Or you could speak to the same amount of people and make more money.

In either case, you will be in a better position to be successful in direct sales, once you start learning direct selling ratios and managing your home party business based on real time numbers and not hear-say or upline advice.

Myself, and Ann Sieg, the Renegade Network Marketer, top notch sales people and others who are successful have been using these strategies for years.

Here’s to a more profitable home party business.

Party Plan Pat

jewellery asked:

I am heard often saying that a home party plan business is not about the home party company.  A home party business is about you, the home party consultant.  I would like to explain myself.  Direct sales home parties are a great way to make sales, but not if you are going about it as I am about to describe. This particular was inspired by the movie How To Loose Friends and Alienate People, which I do not recommend you watch

1.    Verbal Diarrhea, don’t stop talking.  Just go on and on about your wonderful home party company, its’ wonderful products never noticing your prospects eyes have long since glazed over.

2.    Become a stalker, harass your friends, family and neighbors, and when that doesn’t work, take to the mall, put fliers on the windshields of cars.  Drive-by prospecting is also recommended. When the people you are chasing after say no, just ignore them, after-all what do they know! Besides everyone else is building their home party business in this manner so it’s got to be the right way.

3.    Don’t find a best fit solution.  Try and sell them everything in the home party companies catalog.  Shove it down their throats if you have to!

4.    Always be focused on yourself.  We all love a home party consultant that tells everyone who will listen that they are only doing this for the pink Cadillac, white Mercedes, or the big bonus check, or the vacation!

5.    Never deliver home party products on time. Infact, it is better not to contact the customers once the tranfer of legal tender has transpired, let them figure it out on their own!

6.    Goodness do not and I repeat do not follow up with home party sales, never ask how they enjoyed the products, what they liked or disliked.

7.    At your home party demonstrations, makes sure your hostess is untrained and clueless.  Simply cut her or him out of the proceeding, after all her job was to bring live breathing and warm bodies to you!

8.    Remember you are not selling, just sharing.  I wonder why it is called direct sales? You know what they say, sharing is the icing on the cake!  After a great in home party demo just sit back relax and never ask for sale!

9.    Do not and I repeat do not ask for help to get your home party business off on the right foot.  Trust everything your upline says, even when your gut tells you otherwise. It is always better to stumble in the dark. 

10.    Never ask for referrals. After all how can you?  If you have been guilty of the misdemeanors listed above, it is no wonder “oh no here she comes”, is how people identify you as they quickly pull down the curtains, cross over to the side of the street!

Ok here are three things I’d like to leave as food for thought, courtesy of Mark Sanborn:

1. “Don’t sell products or services. Instead, create an experience for your customers.”

2. “Go beyond simply satisfying the customer. Aim to astound.”

3. “The pleasure of the buying experience is as important as the price of the product.”

Now do you see why a home party plans business is about you?  You are your own advertisement, your own walking billboard, your own marketing, your own promotional.  The manner in which you conduct yourself will determine whether you continue to be a struggling home party consultant or a 6-Figure home party success.

jewellery asked:

The face had its share of pampering; the arms and legs had it too. It’s time now for the lovely tresses to be a little cosseted, a little fancied up. And with the exquisite line of hair accessories in the stores these days, you could not have more to do for your locks. The Rapunzels of the world are in for a good time if they are planning to add value to their falling hair cascades. Good news is that this fantastic range of hair decorations can be worn by women with short hair as well.

Hair accessories are many and varied, with items ranging from wood to vintage Swarovski crystals. And there is a hair accessory item for every occasionbe it a wedding you want to dazzle in or dinner parties to make heads turn or some casual get-together you want to make memorable. There is a diverse line of accessories tailor-made for all occasionthere are gorgeous barrettes, bobby pins, circlets, hair claws to chic bun slides and ponytail holders, from elegant clamps and forks to classy headbands and more.

The latest and quite fashionable addition to all these is, perhaps, the swish hair sticks. It’s quite an age-old tradition to hold up the hair with sticks. Now the fashion is back in a new flavor. The best part is that these hair sticks go with a casual everyday bun just as much as they go with dressy updos fit for proms and parties. Some hair sticks are ornate, being fitted with stunning jewels, crystals, art glass, gemstones and beads; and some are trendy and simple, made from wood and natural bone. The wood hair sticks are usually carved from rosewood, palm, ebony or bayong. These look especially smart and swank when it comes to everyday wear and casual occasions. And there is yet another flavor to hair sticksthe tribal flavor! Like most tribal jewelry, these tribal design hair sticks are ethnic and sometimes admirably detailed. You can do your hair with a single hair stick or go for a pair to cross them across the bun. Do not worry about the price-tagyou can surely bring a stylish hair stick home without burning a hole in your pocket. The prices range from something as affordable as $3.50 to some handsome $20 or more. You just need to pick up the best deal.

Just in case you are wondering if these slender sticks can keep your knot or bun in place, here’s a quick assurance for all first-timers. No matter what shape you want to give your hair, these are designed in a way so that they keep your bun or French twist firm and steady without loosening up.

Not just hair sticks, anytime you want to pamper your tresses and win the onlookers’ admiration, you will find loads of hair jewelry waiting for you to be picked up and flaunted. And if not for yourself, these hair accessories make the finest gifts too. So why wait? Give your mane the main attention and enjoy collecting kudos!

admin asked:

Are you organizing a party? All set and ready but don’t know where to find all the party supplies and goodies. Or searching for an online party store? Then you have landed on the right place. We are here for all your party needs. Read on further and make your party a big hit.

Your search ends here we have huge collection of party supplies just for you. Be it birthday or Halloween party, hen and stag nights, Christmas nights or any other special get together we have supplies for all sorts of parties. But wait before ordering for any supplies you should always plan properly. Planning ahead of your party surely makes the difference cause a well-planned party would never go berserk.

Regarding our party supplies stock you name it and we have it. Our Party supplies cover cameras, birthday accessories, banners n bunting, room decorations, party wear, party wigs, party novelties, table decorations, and party essentials to name a few.

If you are planning for a hen or stag night you can get all the Hen Party Accessories and Hen Night Novelties like costumes, tableware, hats and headgears, flashing and sashes, and not to forget special hen night stuff as gifts. Or if you are arranging a Halloween party, we have all the Halloween Party Favors ranging from Halloween Wigs, prop, masks, and hats to accessories and instant dress up.

We are online party store with huge collection of party supplies. Making purchase online could not be simpler than this, no registration hassle for browsing through our products. All you have to do is browse through the category of products of your choice, if you choose one add it to your cart and continue shopping. Once you have completed shopping, you pay online and get the things delivered at your doorstep. It’s that damn easy. Also in case of cancellation of your order or part of it we have return and exchange policy for your benefit.

So stop thinking, and materialize all your plans now and make your party an unforgettable experience for you as well for your guests.

If you are interested to know more about Online Party Store, please search our site for more in-depth information and resources.

jewellery asked:

Chances are you’ll be involved in at least one car accident in your lifetime. Traffic accidents occur daily and range in severity. But regardless of how severe your traffic accident may be, there are a few steps everyone needs to follow in the aftermath of a car accident.

If you get into a car accident you need to:

1. Stop:

Immediately after you get into an accident, stop. If you caused the accident, don’t run. Take responsibility and acknowledge your error. Causing an accident and fleeing from the scene is a crime. If you’re the one who’s been hit, it’s important that you also stop. If the individual who hit you reports that you ran from the accident scene, you can also get in serious trouble. So, regardless of if you caused the accident or are the victim in an accident, stop and don’t leave the accident scene.

2. Check for Injuries:

Immediately after the accident, check yourself, your passengers, and the individual(s) in the other vehicle for injuries. If there are injuries that need medical attention, call 911. Before you even look at the damage done to your car, check everyone involved for injuries.

3. Call the Police (if necessary):

If the accident is serious, or it’s a hit and run situation, the authorities need to be notified. Most insurance companies require you to call the authorities in a hit and run situation if you want your damage to be covered.

Serious accidents sometimes require police involvement if the accident is backing up traffic or if debris is blocking the street. Minor fender benders, on the other hand, don’t necessarily require police involvement.

4. Exchange Information:

Regardless of if you’re at fault or not, or the severity of the accident, you need to exchange information with the other party involved. You need to provide your name, phone number, address, license plate number, and your driver’s license number. You also need to obtain this information from all individuals involved in the accident. Your car insurance company will need this information to resolve the incident.

5. Document Damage:

If you have a camera on hand, take pictures of the damage. If you don’t, write down details about the damage. Document what damage was done to your vehicle and the other vehicle(s) involved.

Have all parties involved in the accident sign the paper as proof that they agree on the damages done to each vehicle. If you hit a parked car and the owner can’t be identified or found, leave a note with the appropriate information. If you don’t, it can be considered a hit and run.

6. Contact Your Insurance Company (and possibly the DMV):

Immediately after the accident, contact your insurance provider about the accident and provide all details regarding it. Also, if anyone was injured in the accident or the damage to the vehicle is $750 or higher, you need to report the incident to the DMV. If you don’t, your license could be suspended.

Car accidents are not fun. If you ever find yourself involved in one, remember these steps. They will help you resolve the incident without the possibility of future repercussions or involvement of law enforcement.

For more related articles, visit: http://www.bills.com/auto-insurance/

admin asked:

Kid N Play – House Party

admin asked:

It’s February. The holidays are over, you’re back to work, and the cold, winter months seem never ending. Well fear not my fun-loving friend. Straight from New Orleans, an event is here that will add some warmth and fun to your winter….it’s Mardi Gras!

Mardi Gras was first brought to the US in the late 1600’s by French Explorers. Each year, the event starts with the Feast of the Ephipany on January 6th, and the festivities continue all the way up until the official “Mardi Gras Day” which always falls on the day before Ash Wednesday (also known as Fat Tuesday.) Although most famously known for its celebration in New Orleans, Mardi Gras is an event that is celebrated worldwide with carnivals, balls, parades, and of course, lots of food. Many have nicknamed it “the World’s Largest Party” and with a reputation like that, it’s hard to think of reasons why you shouldn’t join in on the fun. If you’re like me and can’t make the trip to New Orleans, do what I do and host your own Mardi Gras themed party. Not sure if you’re ready? Here are my top 3 reasons on why a Mardi Gras party is right for you:

Reason # 1: The Colors- The key hues to any Mardi Gras event are purple (symbolic of justice), green (symbolic of faith) and gold (symbolic of power.) Not only are these colors bright and energetic, but they are also universal, making it easy to incorporate a Mardi Gras theme into your next big event. Here at Invitation Consultants, we’ve seen the Mardi Gras theme used for all kinds of parties…birthdays, grand openings, cocktail parties, bachelorette parties, proms…even weddings! The possibilities are truly endless. And with such easy colors to work with, finding the perfect decorations couldn’t be easier.

Reason # 2: The Accessories- Hands down, Mardi Gras party accessories are some of the best ones out there.  The hats are fun and crazy, the masks are mysterious, and come on…who doesn’t love free Mardi Gras beads? Hats, beads, and masks are just the beginning though. If you’re hosting a party, encourage guests to paint their faces and wear crazy costumes. With everyone looking their zaniest, it’s impossible for someone to have a bad time.

Reason # 3: The Food- Sure…all great parties serve good food, but how many party themes are actually centered around food indulgence? (There’s a reason why Mardi Gras officially ends on Fat Tuesday.) Louisiana has some of the tastiest dishes out there, and there’s never been a better reason to whip up some jambalaya and share it with your friend. Last but not least, a Mardi Gras bash is a great excuse to bake up a King Cake, which is a sweetened, frosted bread that is baked in the shape of ring. A small token is baked into the cake, and whoever finds the token is said to enjoy a year of good luck.

So what are you waiting for? This year Fat Tuesday is February 24th so there’s only a few weeks of the celebration left. All great Mardi Gras parties obviously start with great Mardi Gras Invitations, so order yours today, kick back and have fun hosting the jazziest party this side of Bourbon Street.

(Mardi Gras history information courtesy of History.com)