Throw 'Em Something, Mister!

January 15, 2023 6:41 AM

Louisiana Mefites: Help this New Yorker make up some fun, simple New Orleans/Mardi Gras gifts for my co-workers - on a budget, and without looking tacky!

I've gotten into a habit of throwing a low-key Mardi Gras party at work (I got the job offer one day before flying down to New Orleans for Mardi Gras in 2020, which also was my 50th birthday, so this is my own low-key thank you). Nothing huge - I just offer everyone a string of beads from my own caught-in-parades stash, and put a king cake in the cafeteria for everyone to have a piece. (This year it'll have to be 2 cakes.)

I also have prizes for the person who gets the baby. Last year I got one of the "small snack packs" from Box of Care, but this year I'm doing two cakes so getting two of them might be a bit pricey. The most I want to spend is about $15-20 per gift; so I'm on a BIT of a budget. Also, if there's stuff I could get here in New York that would make things easier. I had a couple of ideas:

* DIY food gift baskets. I could get boxes of Cafe du Monde beignet mix and small bags of Zapp's chips up here, and I'd just need a couple of seasoning blends or something else to round that out. I can also get Zatarain's up here, but is that kinda...meh? Or are they legit? What other local options are out there (and can I order them online)? Preference for mixes or ready-to-eat things, as opposed to like a pound of Camelia beans. (I don't want to assume everyone at work cooks as much as I do.)

* Mugs or candles. If I do that, I'd want to do something local to NOLA. But I don't want it to be TOO tacky or obvious "Mardi Gras", so nothing with like beads or masks or boas on it as a motif. Think, like, a map of New Orleans or just purple/green/gold stripes or something on the mug. And for candles - a votive or a 4 oz travel tin would be ideal.

* Or any other ideas - and reminder that this is a WORK gift, so some professional decorum would be preferable (no shot glasses or beer coozies, or t-shirts that suggest boob-flashing; you get the idea). I'd also like it to be something that people could use past Mardi Gras, so no glittery hats or whatever. And please include a link to where I can get it online.

And if there's a one-stop web site you know of with a lot of these things, that'd rock. Thanks!

posted by EmpressCallipygos to Grab Bag (11 answers total)

I used to live in New Orleans. I wouldn't assume your co-workers make their own beignet's, and people can be very particular about what seasoning blends they prefer.

Other ideas:
-A lot of people are very obsessed with Hubig's pies, and you could get a T-shirt for $20 - see their merch page.

-Most people like po' boys (I mean, what's not to love about fried protein + bread), and a $15-20 gift certificate would cover a hefty large sandwich at most places - hard to go wrong with Parkway Tavern, though if you work is located in the Uptown area, maybe go with Mahony's or Guy's Po-Boy's.

Reminder that this is a WORK gift, so some professional decorum would be preferable (no shot glasses or beer coozies

Obviously don't do anything you don't feel comfortable doing, but I was struck how this sort of thing, at least with drinking, did not seem to apply in New Orleans. My boss invited all of his employees to his house for Lundi Gras every year, and he would get sloppy drunk. I'd say especially beer coozies are work appropriate in NOLA.
posted by coffeecat at 7:31 AM on January 15, 2023

Best answer: Alexa Pulitzer is a native of New Orleans, with ties to New York and Italy, who designs loads of things: stationary, home goods, etc. I have one of her early notepads with a splendid crawfish.
posted by winesong at 7:45 AM on January 15, 2023

Response by poster: -Most people like po' boys (I mean, what's not to love about fried protein + bread), and a $15-20 gift certificate would cover a hefty large sandwich at most places - hard to go wrong with Parkway Tavern, though if you work is located in the Uptown area, maybe go with Mahony's or Guy's Po-Boy's.

I see I need to re-iterate the fact that we are all in New York City.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 8:12 AM on January 15, 2023 [1 favorite]

These candles come in a variety of New Orleans-themed fragrances.

Cafe du Monde coffee pairs well with the beignet mix.
posted by earth by april at 8:18 AM on January 15, 2023

A tiny bottle of tony chachere goes a long way, and its not too spicy, and if someone doesn't use it you likely wouldn't be offended! I prefer it over Zataran stuff.

I'd go for something magnolia, maybe a candle. Although a quick search many candles are out of your price point.

Bengiets are fiddly things that while awesome to have are suppose to be deep fried and are kind of a pain. I have a box of mix that I haven't gotten the motivation to make for literal years. Cafe du Monde coffee though, while not everyone's taste bc chicory would be a good choice. Mist people drink coffee and would be open ti situat trying it!
posted by AlexiaSky at 8:41 AM on January 15, 2023

One year, the office I worked in was flooded with King Cakes ordered up from NOLA vendors. Plenty of NYC bakeries stand ready to help.
posted by SemiSalt at 8:43 AM on January 15, 2023

(Note, I lived in New Orleans for a bit, but that was a while ago.) You might find something at a place like here? They have nicer stuff amidst all the beads, check the gift section. Candle for example fits your price point.
posted by gudrun at 8:48 AM on January 15, 2023

Everyone loves my Cafe du Monde mug! There are more very cute and affordable designs on the site that could go with a can of coffee (and non-coffee drinkers can still use mugs.)

I agree that the simple dry ingredients aren’t what’s stopping most people from making beignets; it’s the deep frying, which most people don’t do at home, especially in NY.
posted by kapers at 10:18 AM on January 15, 2023 [1 favorite]

Best answer: Mardi Gras do-er of many years here but now living in Texas. Dirty Coast has an amazing selection of items that are classy yet still give that Mardi Gras feel. I love these Go Cups, Big Freedia in Your Pocket and the King Cake Candle.

Fleurty Girl also has amazing products. I'd check out the French Market coffee, this towel or these po-boy socks.
posted by tafetta, darling! at 10:27 AM on January 15, 2023 [1 favorite]

Purple, Gold, & Green string lights. A couple of the linked sites are Mardi Gras specfic and have other stuff fr ideas.

Olive salad for muffalettas.
posted by theora55 at 11:43 AM on January 15, 2023

Response by poster: I think I found something - the Streetcar notepads from Fleurty Girl and the pencil sets from Dirty Coast make a nice set. One of each hits the price point perfect. (And I'm throwing in a couple things from Dirty Coast for me when I order because.)

Yay! Thanks!
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 4:38 PM on January 15, 2023 [1 favorite]