Mardi Gras Magic By Christy Rost   Mardi Gras festivities are a continuation of the carnival season, which began on January 6, or Twelfth Night. This week, all eyes will be on New Orleans, which is world-famous for its Mardi Gras, although the celebration is also quite popular in Europe. Mardi Gras Day is Tuesday, February 27 this year, but New Orleans street parades and parties are already well in progress.  Mardi Gras was introduced to New Orleans by French colonists. Societies called Krewes still organize the parades and host grand balls and private parties. The most famous of the Krewes are Comus, founded in 1857 and Rex, founded in 1872. Their members ride the parade floats dressed in elaborate costumes and masks, and it is from their ranks that Rex, King of the Carnival, is selected. You don't have to live in New Orleans, or even travel to Galveston to enjoy the festivities associated with Mardi Gras. There is still plenty of time to pull together a celebration in your own home. Today's entertaining tip contains ideas for both families and singles to create a little Mardi Gras magic on a budget. If you are searching for ways to transform an ordinary weekday family meal into something a little more colorful and fun, join in the spirit of Mardi Gras. Traditional Mardi Gras colors are gold, purple and green, so use these colors when setting the dinner table Tuesday evening. Mardi Gras decorations are inexpensive and still readily available in party stores. Kids love things they can drape around their necks, so purchase plenty of colorful beaded necklaces for everyone at the table. Hang yellow, purple and green crepe paper steamers over the dining table or suspend lots of curling ribbon from the chandelier. For a quick, easy centerpiece, wedge a piece of dried floral oasis into a small pitcher or vase. Insert 5-7 Mardi Gras picks into the oasis and camouflage it with shiny green or purple shred (look for a product called "GlitterWrap"). Scatter a few Mardi Gras coins and a handful of confetti on the table and in just a few minutes you have set the stage for a fun, family meal. For those without young children at home, invite a few friends for a spur-of-the-moment Mardi Gras celebration. Since this is a last-minute party, keep your decorations very simple. Ask each guest to wear something in Mardi Gras colors; then turn your attention to a quick transformation of the dining table. Fabric stores are an unending source of tablescape inspiration at a great price. For Mardi Gras, consider a length or two of shimmering purple and gold lame. Swirl these in the center of your table, or drape them in eye-catching rows down the center or on the diagonal. Place a covered or lucite box in the center of the table containing a simple floral display, with a cascade of Mardi Gras beads. Whether you host a few friends for a last-minute celebration or perk up a weekday family dinner, Mardi Gras provides plenty of inspiration for an evening of great food and fun. So, visit your neighborhood party store, and with the aid of a few inexpensive trinkets, put a little Mardi Gras magic into your week. Read more of Christy Rost's articles in her archives. Click here. Do you have any questions, comments or suggestions? Email: jwdineline@aol.com