How to Celebrate St. Patrick's Day

If you didn't grow up around Irish or people of Irish ancestry, St. Patrick's day may be an enigma to you. So, here's what you need to know to celebarte it properly and fit in!

Of course, different people and different ages celebrate the holiday differently. And although consumption of alcohol is a major part of the holiday, we are hardl;y going ot suggest that for under age children.

So, we've broken the celebrations down into ways that are fitting for each group!

Families and children

On the day before (March 16th)

Of course, children (and their parents) start the day by wearing something green. If you don't have any green on you, others are entitled to pinch you. (Oh, I can hear the lawsuits and harrasseement suits starting over this one...)

And, like many holiday, gifts of candy left by leprechauns are traditional. Actually, there is a specific tradition just for that, similar to the Easter Bunny.

Here's how it goes:

Leprechauns, being mischevious wee folk (i.e. elves or fairies) are know to come into people's houses on the night before St. Patrick's day (March 16th), and knock things over.

Children often make leprechaun traps in an attempt to caputure the little buggers.

On St. Patrick's Day (March 17th)

• Wear green clothing, pins, hats, etc.
• Wear Irish hats (see example at Amazon).
• Go to an Irish parade (see this page to find one)
• Cook a traditional Irish dinner (see this page) or go out to an Irish pub for dinner!
• Have a dinner party featuring all green foods

Adults

You can get by just wearing lots of green. But hats, pins, costumes, etc. do help!

• Wear green clothing, pins, hats, etc.
• Wear Irish hats (see example at Amazon).
• Go to an Irish parade (see this page to find one)
• Drinking beer: typically Guiiness stout or any beer colored green. Or any beer. Generally, lots of it. Most Irish pubs, like Faddo's have parties and special events.
• Cook a traditional Irish dinner (see this page) or go out to an Irish pub!

Tee-totallars

1. Wearing green
2. Hide. This is not your day. Or fill a mug with club soda, add green food coloring and pretend to be drinking a beer. And try to explain that photo at your next church or AA meeting...