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Step 1
These look REALLY great…but you'll need someone who has a very simple computer graphics program and the basic knowledge to use it. Download some nice photos from the Internet of Ireland (you should be overwhelmed by the selection you find on the Internet) and load them into the graphics program. You can do this by 'right clicking' with your mouse on any picture you like, then selecting 'Save As' among the options. Save these to a disk or your hard drive. Across the top (or in any other place, depending on how creative you want to get with it…) put the words of the location (i.e. Irish countryside, Dublin, etc.) Then, in one of the corners put a large number…essentially, you are making a large stamp. Once you have the image the way you want it, print it out and decorate cut the edges all around in the fashion of a large stamp (fiskar scissors do a great job.) These look great just about anywhere. HINT: These can be done in assembly-line fashion and can be cranked out relatively fast once you get into the 'groove' of it.
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Step 2
Plan a treasure hunt for Leprechaun gold! You can either design one on your own, or download one from an Internet resource (see the RESOURCES section below for a downloadable St. Patrick's Day themed treasure hunt already created.)
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Step 3
Play a few games of Irish themed Bingo! For a downloadable Irish/St. Patrick's Day themed Bingo set, click on the link below under RESOURCES.
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Step 4
Have some live characters roaming around, mingling with the guests. How about a travel guide pitching his/her newest tour all over Ireland? Or how about a crazed Irish peasant going on and on about how he's searching for leprechauns and that they aren't as fictional as everyone might believe? These characters do not need to be present for long periods of time. In fact, it is best if they are not. Let them come…and then go. Your guests will be incredibly impressed.
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Step 5
If you want to paint with a faux rock/stone finish (without spending an arm and a leg on those craft store kits) buy a few cans of spray paint instead. This is especially nice if you are making some old Irish castle ruins as part of your decorations. Gray, black and white should do the trick. With a hobby razor blade, lightly score the nozzle hole of the spray can. This will cause the paint to sputter rather than spray. Make sure the surface is covered first in the gray, then add some sputtering of the white and black.
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Step 6
For inexpensive Irish castle brick walls, use brown postal wrapping paper and a new rectangle sponge. With any water based paint (try not to dilute it too much) use the sponge as a stamp to imprint bricks onto the paper. Although not very realistic, it 'works' for areas that are not meant for high profile places. A great way to blanket an area.
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Step 7
Name your location. Invite your guests to Dublin or O'Malley's Pub, etc. By naming it and referring to that name you'll create a definite place and time for your guests. It's amazing the credibility that is given when it is given a name.
