As the French say, “Laissez les bons temps rouler!” Or in other words, let the good times roll! And in the case of Mardi Gras, let them roll in purple, green and, our personal favorite, gold!

What started as a French holiday in medieval Europe made its way to the United States via French explorers around the year 1700. In translation, Mardi Gras means “Fat Tuesday,” which is another name for the day before Ash Wednesday. It falls 47 days before Easter and marks the last day before the beginning of Lent.

Tradition has it that Mardi Gras is the last chance to get all the partying and revelry out of your system before giving it up for Lent.

And like most major holidays, with Mardi Gras, tradition is key — and these traditional celebrations run deep in New Orleans, the U.S. hub of Fat Tuesday activity. From pancakes to parades to masquerade balls, this is one holiday that people can count on to continually deliver the same elements they loved to experience as children.

With the aforementioned traditional colors of purple, green and gold, it’s the perfect time to don every last piece of gold jewelry you’ve got in the house. (And when you’re done with it, we can think of some great gold buyers in Dallas who will take it off your hands.)