Today, king cake parties start on the twelfth day after Christmas and continue until the first day of Lent, ending of Fat Tuesday, better known as Mardi Gras. Instead of a bean, pea, or coin, a baby doll representing the Christ child is hidden in the cake. Whoever gets the doll baby doll will receive good luck and prosperity for the rest of the year, and has to buy the cake for the following year.

My manager brought one in to work today and everyone was trying their best to avoid getting the hidden baby doll.  My guess is that no one wants to shell out over forty dollars for the cake next year.

For the History of King Cake, click here!