The box includes everything you need to celebrate Mardi Gras at home (beads included).

Mardi Gras season has begun but like everything else, the celebrations have been tempered by the coronavirus. The parades in New Orleans have been canceled, with plans to possibly do a redo later in the year. But just like Easter, Christmas, and many other holidays, the show (in some way) must go on. Arlington’s own Bayou Bakery, Coffee Bar & Eatery by Chef David Guas has created a special Mardi Gras kit complete with a King Cake and hurricane mix so you can throw your own party at home.

Mardi Gras kit, courtesy Bayou Bakery

Bayou Bakery’s Mardi Gras in a Box can be picked up or shipped nationwide and includes a freshly baked King Cake, murder mystery game, a bottle of Pat O’Brien’s Hurricane cocktail mix along with party favors like Mardi Gras beads, masks, and boas. The King Cake comes with a decorating kit so you can make it your own. Each cake has the obligatory plastic baby baked inside that will bring the person who finds it good luck. The kit is priced at $135 plus shipping or you can pick it up if you live in the DMV area. Individual cakes are also available for $39.95 and serve 14 to 16 people.

The traditional King Cake is a circular cake made from a cinnamon brioche dough with fillings like cream cheese or almond paste. The top is decorated with colored sugars and icing with purple representing justice, gold for power, and green for faith. You can usually find them in local bakeries and restaurants or you can order them direct from the iconic New Orleans restaurant Brennan's. You have until February 16, Fat Tuesday to celebrate the holiday which leads into Lent and Easter. You can learn facts about Mardi Gras and find other ways to celebrate by visiting mardigrasneworleans.com.

Share your most memorable (PG-rated) Mardi Gras memory in the comments.