There are illustrations you create and move on from, and then there are those that take on a life of their own. King Gator is firmly the latter. He has become one of the most recognizable characters in my collection because he captures something I love about Southern style: it can be handsome and irreverent, traditional without being stuffy, and always ready for a good time.
Growing up and living in New Orleans, the alligator has always been part of the visual language of Louisiana. But I never wanted to draw just another alligator. I wanted mine to have a personality. So I gave him a crown, a regal posture, and enough swagger to suggest that he knows perfectly well who rules the swamp.
An Original Illustration with a Personality All His Own
I drew King Gator from scratch in my signature Old World etching style, with the intricate linework and detail that give him the character of an antique engraving—albeit one with a distinctly New Orleans sense of humor. From his crown to his rather self-assured expression, every detail is intentional.
King Gator is also one of the few illustrations in my collection that I have trademarked, something that speaks to how closely this character has become associated with my work. Whether he appears on alligator stationery, a cocktail napkin, or a cup, the original artwork remains unmistakably his—and unmistakably mine.
My New Orleans collection extends the same spirit across the Second Line and other Mardi Gras designs rooted in the Big Easy’s joie de vie.
From the Writing Desk to the Cocktail Bar
When the same illustration appears on One of my favorite things about King Gator is how comfortably he moves from correspondence to entertaining. He can hold court on a handsome notecard in the afternoon and turn up again on the cocktail cups and napkins that evening.
The power of my King Gator collection is in the layering. For a party, I especially love carrying the same illustration across several details. King Gator cups and cocktail napkins at the bar instantly create a theme without requiring the entire room to be decorated around it. Add a flag at the entrance or another King Gator detail elsewhere, and suddenly there is a visual thread running through the gathering.
That, to me, is the secret to memorable entertaining: you don't need more decoration—you need the right details.
Alligator Cups, Stationery & Gifts from Alexa Pulitzer
Whether you’re shopping for a spirited hostess gift, handsome alligator stationery, or entertaining pieces for your own bar, King Gator brings the same regal wit to every piece in the collection.
My ready-made designs ship within 1–3 business days, Monday through Thursday, while personalized and made-to-order pieces require approximately 14 business days and should be ordered separately from stocked items. For even more ways to dress the bar, browse my Cups and Napkins collection.
King Of The Swamp Gift Box
This curated box is a perfect fit for any fan of the undisputed ruler of the wetlands. With unmistakable swagger and a gorgeous crown to match, my iconic King Gator has become a celebrated symbol of Southern charm, New Orleans spirit, and playful sophistication. Inside, you’ll find 12 King Gator Cups, a 20-pack of King Gator Napkins, a 20-pack of King Gator Guest Towels, a King Gator Ornament, a 10-pack of King Gator Stationery, and a King Gator Long Pad, all bearing the same original trademarked illustration. For the fiercely elegant person who deserves the full majestic King Gator experience, this gift box is designed for those who rule their domain with a mischievous smile and a sharp tongue.
King Gator A2 and A7 Notecards
My distinctive King Gator Notes feature my hand-drawn, trademarked alligator crowned like Louisiana royalty—a handsome combination of Southern swagger, Old World character, and playful grandeur.
I offer King Gator in two sizes depending on how much you have to say. The A2 Notes measure 5.5" × 4.25", while the more generous A7 Notes measure 7" × 5", giving you extra room for longer correspondence. Both are sold in packs of 10 with plain envelopes and flat printed with environmentally friendly, soy-based ink on premium, USA-made Ecru Textured Laid 100# Cover Stock.
Stocked and ready to ship, these alligator stationery notes make a handsome choice for thank-you notes, carnival favors, Mardi Gras invitations, Mardi Gras Kings and Queens, and anyone who believes even a handwritten note deserves a little swagger.
Second Line 16oz Pearlized Cups
Nothing captures the joie de vivre of New Orleans quite like a Second Line. My Second Line Pearlized Cups feature lively dancing alligators celebrating the joyful tradition of brass bands, dancing in the streets, and the infectious energy that makes the Crescent City unlike anywhere else in the world. Each sleeve contains 12 pearlized 16oz cups, tied with ribbon, making them an ideal hostess gift or a keepsake for anyone who adores the energy of New Orleans. Unlike ordinary party cups, my signature, dishwasher-safe hard plastic reusable cups are designed to elevate Mardi Gras celebrations, New Orleans weddings, jazz festivals, crawfish boils, celebrations of life, and gatherings where good music and even better company are always on the guest list. Want to make them your own? My Second Line illustration can also be customized here with your unique wording on 16oz white stadium or frosted cups—a fabulous way to personalize them for a wedding, birthday, Mardi Gras party, family celebration, or special event.
King Gator 16oz Pearlized Cups
My signature King Gator Pearlized Cups carry the trademarked crowned alligator on a 16oz pearlized reusable cup, beautifully wrapped 12 per sleeve, tied with ribbon, dishwasher safe, designed and printed in New Orleans. They elevate low country parties, Mardi Gras celebrations, tailgates, birthdays, and any gathering where the host runs things with unmistakable style while honoring their favorite Gator mascot. My King Gator illustration can also be customized here with your unique wording on 16oz white stadium or frosted cups—a fabulous way to personalize them for a wedding, birthday, Mardi Gras party, family celebration, or special event.
Customizable King Gator A6 Notes
For alligator stationery that is distinctly your own, my Customizable King Gator A6 Notes pair my original, trademarked illustration with your name, family name, or personal wording. They make handsome personal stationery for men and women alike—and a particularly thoughtful gift for anyone with an affinity for New Orleans, Louisiana, or a little regal swagger.
Each set includes 25 digitally printed A6 flat notecards (6.25" × 4.5") with 25 plain Ecru Crest A6 envelopes (6.5" × 4.75"), printed on premium Ecru Classic Laid 80# Cover Stock. Choose from Olive and Antique Gold or Magenta to suit your personality.
Because each set is personalized especially for you, these notes are made to order and require approximately 14 business days for printing and processing.
Customizable Gator Crossing Long Pad
My Gator Crossing Long Pad features a hand-drawn alligator illustrated with the rich detail of a vintage naturalist's engraving, personalized with your text of choice. Each 3-pack contains 100 sheets per pad at 3.5" × 8.25", digitally printed on premium USA-made Ecru textured 80# paper, padded at top with Alexa Pulitzer chipboard. Made to order in 14 business days, it’s also available in a 6-pack and 12-pack.
Customizable Madame Gator A6 Notes
Where King Gator commands the room, Madame Gator owns it. Dressed in a fabulous gown and crowned with a feathered headpiece, my hand-drawn Madame Gator has the confidence of a woman who knows exactly who she is—and has the stationery to prove it. My Customizable Madame Gator A6 Notes can be personalized with your name or family name, making them a wonderfully distinctive choice for your own correspondence or a thoughtful gift for a stylish friend, hostess, mother, or Southern belle with a sense of humor.
Each set includes 25 digitally printed A6 flat notecards (6.25" × 4.5") on premium Ecru Classic Laid 80# Cover Stock, accompanied by 25 plain Ecru Classic Crest A6 envelopes. Choose Olive or Magenta depending on whether Madame is feeling classic or a little more flamboyant. Each set is personalized especially for you and made to order in approximately 14 business days
How To Build A Cohesive King Gator Gathering
One of the things I love most about King Gator is how easily he can carry a theme throughout a gathering. Repeating the same original illustration across cups, cocktail napkins, guest towels, and other details creates a visual thread that makes the entire occasion feel thoughtfully considered without feeling overly coordinated.
You certainly don’t need King Gator on everything. A few well-placed appearances—from the door sign and flag to the bar and the powder room—are enough to give a party personality, continuity, and a little unmistakable New Orleans swagger. Two approaches work particularly well:
Start With The Bar And Work Outward
I have always believed the bar sets the tone for a good party. It is one of the first places guests gather, so it is also the perfect place to introduce King Gator. A stack of King Gator Pearlized Cups paired with coordinating cocktail napkins immediately gives the bar personality—and lets everyone know their host intends for them to have a good time.
From there, I like to carry the illustration into a few unexpected places rather than put it on absolutely everything. King Gator Guest Towels in the powder room are a witty continuation of the theme, while a King Gator flag flying outside welcomes guests before they even walk through the door. Available in White or Sage, it can continue to hold court on a porch or in the garden long after the last cocktail has been poured.
Browse my Flags collection for even more ways to make a fabulous first impression.
Build A Gift Around The Illustration
For the person who can never have too much King Gator, my King of the Swamp Gift Box is the ultimate alligator gift. It brings together pieces for the writing desk, bar, powder room, and holiday tree in one beautifully curated collection—all featuring the same original, trademarked illustration.
For something more personal, I love creating a handsome desk set with Customizable King Gator or Madame Gator A6 Notes paired with a personalized Gator Crossing Long Pad. Adding a name or family name turns useful everyday stationery into a thoughtful gift created especially for its recipient—perfect for a birthday, housewarming, hostess gift, or anyone who carries a little Louisiana spirit wherever they go.
Browse my Gift Boxes collection for more ready-to-give combinations.
When Alligator Stationery And Decor Belong In The Room
Although King Gator is very much a creature of Louisiana, I have never considered him exclusively a Mardi Gras design. His combination of Southern character, humor, and handsome Old World style allows him to turn up year-round—sometimes at the bar, sometimes on the writing desk, and sometimes as the perfect gift for someone who simply loves a good alligator.
- Mardi Gras & Carnival Season: King Gator is certainly in his element during Carnival. Second Line Cups and King Gator Pearlized Cups bring the joie de vivre of New Orleans to the bar and feel perfectly at home among Mardi Gras parties, parades, and gatherings where celebration is practically a civic duty.
- The New Orleans Hostess Gift: When someone has invited you into their home, I believe in arriving with something more interesting than the expected bottle of wine. A sleeve of King Gator Pearlized Cups is useful, handsome, and fun, while the King of the Swamp Gift Box makes a more substantial gesture for a weekend host, housewarming, or special thank-you.
- Crawfish Boils & Low Country Gatherings: There may be no setting where King Gator feels more at home. Cups and napkins bearing his crowned likeness add just enough personality to a crawfish boil, backyard supper, tailgate, or casual Southern gathering without making the occasion feel overly decorated.
- The Desk Of Someone Who Loves The South: Alligator décor does not have to live exclusively at the bar. King Gator stationery and a personalized Gator Crossing Long Pad bring a little Southern personality to the writing desk—and unlike purely decorative gifts, they are meant to be used every day.
- The Gift For The Person Who Has Everything: These are often my favorite people to shop for because the answer is rarely more stuff. I would rather give them something original, useful, beautifully made, and unexpected. Alligator stationery, personalized paper goods, cups, napkins, or a curated King Gator gift box have personality without feeling like novelty gifts.
I draw every piece in this collection with the same care I give anything inspired by the place I call home. My Alligator King may have been created in New Orleans, but you certainly don’t have to live in Louisiana to appreciate his swagger. He is more than an alligator illustration—he is a point of view: regal, mischievous, distinctly Southern, and always ready for a good time.
