Let the celebration of all things Irish begin! Go greener than green with these fun St. Patrick’s Day tips and tricks.
Décor & More
- Décor doesn’t have to be the “Lucky Charms” themed leprechauns, shamrocks, and
pots of gold. For a more sedate look, cluster greenery, candles, and gold coins
down the middle of the table and use green gossamer to create swags, drapes,
and curtains.
- Nothing beats live Irish music! Ask around to see if anyone
knows a bagpiper. Or do a search on
www.gigmasters.com
or Craig’s List.
On
a tight budget? “
The Holy Grail of Irish Drinking Songs” is a great compilation
of popular Irish drinking songs.
- These super cute
leprechaun hat centerpieces
are much easier to make than they look! Start by painting a clay pot and base
bright green. Flip the pot upside down and hot glue the base on top. Paint a
black strip around the lip of the pot and hot glue a small silver picture frame
for the buckle. Attach floral foam to the top of the base and arrange your silk
flowers in the floral foam to your liking. Hot glue green Spanish moss at the
bottom to hide the floral foam.
The Menu
- If you’re hosting a party this year, serve up an
Irish-infused menu of mini shepherd pie appetizers, Guinness beef stew with
Irish soda bread, a build-your-own baked potato bar, and Bailey’s cheesecake
for dessert.
- Sadly, not everyone enjoys green beer. Instead of dying the
entire keg green, you can dye individual cups or mugs. Add two to three drops
of green food coloring to the bottom of the mug or cup. As you pour the beer in
the glass, it will mix on its own. No need to stir.
Featured Recipe – Shamrock Shaker
This smooth, creamy cocktail is an ideal drink for St. Patrick's Day celebrations,
complete with a bit of green and gold dusting on top. The drink itself is a
decadent mix of coffee and almond flavored liqueurs brought together by a bit
of milk.
Ingredients:
1 1/2 oz Kahlua
2 1/2 oz milk
1/2 oz Amaretto
Edible green and gold powder for garnish (found at
cake-decorating supply stores)
Instructions:
Pour the ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice cubes.
Shake vigorously.
Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
Sprinkle the green and gold powders on the top.
Supplies:
- Green Cardstock
- Scissors
- Small eyelets
- Small silver charm
- Cord
- Cut a window in the front panel of a piece of folder card
stock and set small eyelets on either side of the opening.
- Suspend a small silver charm from a length of cord inserted
in the holes and tie the ends on the inside of the card to secure.
- Handwrite or stamp the message “you’re my lucky charm” below
the window to finish.
A Parting Gift
End the party on a high note by presenting each of your
guests with a pot of gold favor. The little white buckets can be found at
Dollar Tree (3 for $1!). Fill the buckets with Rolos, wrap them in cellophane,
and tie the cellophane with a festive tag (download the tags
here).
