Mardi Gras throws were not used until the 1870’s, even though parades date back to the 1830’s. These sometimes masked revelers were walking, or on horseback, and some in carriages.  It was the late 1850’s when they started using floats.

In the 1870’s, the krewe of Rex decided they needed something different.  They chose to imitate the jewelry worn by the royalty of the times, and started using colorful glass beads from factories in Czechoslovakia, as Mardi Gras throws.  Of course every one loved them, and they became very popular.  But, being hand strung, and glass, they would often break. The revelers would pick up the beads to take home and restring.  These original Mardi Gras throws, are quite expensive.  If you can find one for sale, it runs about $30.00 or more.

Strings of beads have always been the most popular Mardi Gras throw.  Beginning in the 1960’s, Hong Kong, then Taiwan, and more recently China, started manufacturing molded plastic beads.  They were much cheaper to make and buy, and the float riders were able to purchase more Mardi Gras throws.  And the beads were brighter and more colorful than ever. 

Around the 1990’s, revelers started losing interest in the small plastic beads, and trying for the bigger and better hand strung Mardi Gras throws.  These Mardi Gras throws are often metallic, or iridescent, and usually have one or more medallions hanging off of them.  The medallions are made of molded plastic, polystone, or metal alloy.  Several krewes have their logo made into medallions as special Mardi Gras throws.  You can usually find something for everyone in this type of Mardi Gras throw.  They have medallions in the shape of flowers, motorcycles, jesters, people, animals, shrimp and crabs for the south, or just about anything you might want.  

 The krewes started using doubloons (coins) as Mardi Gras throws around 1884.  These medallions were the size and appearance of old Spanish doubloons.  They made excellent Mardi Gras throws, and were the inspiration of the doubloons of today. Now they are machine stamped with the krewes’ logo and origin date on one side, and the year’s theme and date on the other side.  They are generally made of plastic, aluminum, or wood, and are one of the most sought after Mardi Gras throws.  And very collectible.

Another extremely popular Mardi Gras throw is the cup.  The cups also are imprinted with the krewes logo, year of parade, and theme for that year.  They can be 8 oz, cups to 16 oz cups, and all the beautiful colors you can imagine.  In the south they are used year round for everyday drinks.

Mardi Gras throws can be almost anything that can be carried.  The most popular being beads, doubloons, and cups, you will also see literally tons of stuffed animals, small toys, swords, candy, popcorn balls, moon pies, roses, balls, and other items.

The success of Mardi Gras is rated by the amount of trash left behind by the revelers each year.  The more trash, the better the carnival season.  The trash comes from all the food and drink, bags and boxes meant to hold treasures, and most of all, the Mardi Gras throws.