Things You'll Need:
- Card stock
- Green colored decorations
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Step 1
Saint Patrick's Day is coming up soon! March seventeenth will be here before we know it. Some folks get so pooped from holiday parties after Christmas and New Year's that waiting until Memorial Day for the big family picnic is fine by them. Others, though, who
love any excuse for a holiday get together would love to hear that you're planning a green gala! Just because you're not Irish doesn't mean you have to skip the potential fun around the holiday! -
Step 2
Start with the guest list:
After you've picked your date, start on your guest list right away! Decided whether it will be a large or small gathering of friends and family. Create your own invitations! Use a green shamrock template which will print two green colored shamrocks per page. You might want to print them on white card stock for a thicker feel. In black marker, write your party details on the shamrock! Ask everyone to wear something green for added fun. To save money, pass the invitations out by hand to those you see on a regular basis, and mail all the rest. Ask people to RSVP- so you know how much food to prepare. -
Step 3
Look at Your Menu Options:
There are a few traditional Irish dishes you might like to include in your table spread.
Mashed Potatoes with garlic
Irish stew
Boxty (Potato Pancakes)
Coddle (Boiled pork sausages, usually served with cabbage)
Irish Soda Bread
You might even like to serve a traditional Irish breakfast at your party, which includes:
Bacon
Eggs (Fried)
Sausage
Black and white pudding
Fried tomatoes
Fried potatoes
The traditional beverage served with any meal is Guinness, a dark Irish beer.
Extra menu options:
Mint chocolate chip ice cream (the green colored kind)
A cream cheese frosted cake decorated with green sugar sprinkles (use a shamrock stencil to create a fun border or design!)
Green lemon or limeade (Add a drop of green food coloring to give them added flair!)
Andes Mints
Mint flavored Oreo cookies -
Step 4
Games for Kids of All Ages:
Centuries ago, when Scottish kings chose the best men at arms, they used tossing and wrestling contests to gauge candidates' accuracy and strength, and dancing to build endurance and agility. Here are two fun feats inspired by those Highland games to test your family's mettle.
HEAVE HO
In this version of the classic hay sack toss, use a spatula (in lieu of a pitchfork) to pitch a newspaper-stuffed lunch bag up and over a clothesline or makeshift crossbar. Whoever succeeds the most times out of ten is the winner.
SHOOT FOR THE NOON
Traditionally, the caber toss entails hoisting a 20-foot, 120-pound pole onto your shoulder and flipping it onto the ground so that the end you were holding points toward 12 o'clock on an imaginary clock (your feet are considered to be at 6 o'clock). To see just how tricky it can be, try this scaled-down spin-off: take turns flipping an un-sharpened pencil at the floor. Whoever lands a pitch with the eraser nearest to noon wins. -
Step 5
Decorations:
Use the same template for invitations and decorations! Cut out extra shamrocks and lay them out on your tables, or stick them up around your home. Decorate with greenery such as ivy- real or faux will do! If you have any St. Patty's Day accents or accessories, now is the time to use them! Adorn your table and shelves with little leprechauns and more!
Ambiance:
Place green and gold candles throughout your home for added warmth and sparkle! Throw on some Celtic music or a production on River Dance! Have fun with your friends and try to recreate your own River Dance! -
Step 6
Party Favors:
Give your pals a goodie bag on their way out. Put a few pieces of gold (chocolate coins wrapped in gold foil) in a tiny sandwich bag and tie it closed with a green ribbon. Place them in a basket near the exit so you won't have to be bothered with handing them out. Your guests can grab and go!
This party idea is simple, easy and fun! Try to invite people you know will be able to relax and have a good time- especially if you plan on dancing and playing silly games.
