How to Plan a St Patrick's Day Party

The only thing more fun than attending a St. Patrick's Day Party is planning one. All those shamrocks and Leprechauns just go to your head, not to mention the green beer. But there's more to a St. Patty's shindig than wearing of the green. It takes creativity and work to plan a St. Patrick's Day Party that will have people still talking when Santa arrives nine months later.

Instructions

1. Impress people right off the bat with your invitations and place cards. You can make your own from templates available online or buy professional-grade invites ready to send with matching cards.

2. Go all out with the décor. There are lots of great web sites that offer everything from shamrock-shaped napkins to gold-wrapped coins and kisses. Some even provide free banners you can print, cut out and use all over the house, or wherever you're holding your St. Patrick's Day party.

3. Plan games, including, of course, "Pin the shamrock on the leprechaun." And no party would be complete without an Irish jig dance-off. Buy a DVD with classic Irish folk songs and river dance the night away.

4. Serve up authentic Irish food at your St. Patrick's party, including corned beef and soda bread. Or keep the menu light with potato skins, green fruit, green veggies, cheese sandwiches cut with a shamrock cookie cutter, green Jell-O, key lime pie and more. And don't forget the party favors, such as a "lucky" green carnation or a take-home Leprechaun trap.

5. Toast to the health and wealth of all your pals with a neat "Lucky Lime" drink. You'll need to put two scoops of lime sherbet into a tall glass or cup, pour some 7Up on top of the sherbet and add some whipped cream, green sugar sprinkles and a green maraschino cherry. Cheers!

Tips & Warnings

• Offer themed prizes like CDs, books and candy to the best dancer, singer or kisser.

• Anytime you host a party, you should provide a designated driver to get any guests home that should not be handling car keys.

Resources

• A fun party web site with great ideas to celebrate the St. Patty in all of us.
• Who else but amazing moms could plan a St. Pat bash like this.
• Free Irish animations and greeting cards for your amusement.