Held each year on March 17th, St. Patrick’s Day is an Irish celebration of Saint Patrick, the country’s patron saint. Although the holiday originates in Ireland, celebrations have spread worldwide, and you will find festive parades, parties, and feasts across the globe each March.
Whether or not you’re Irish, it’s always fun gathering your friends for a St. Patrick’s Day get-together. However, before you start planning, there are a few things you should know. Take a look at the top tips below for throwing a legendary St. Patrick’s Day party.
Serve up traditional Irish food
Of course, food is always a big part of any good celebration, and St. Patrick’s Day is no exception. Fortunately, there are plenty of traditional Irish recipes that you can serve your guests to keep their stomachs satisfied throughout the day.
For example, corned beef and cabbage is an iconic St. Patrick’s Day meal that’s always a crowd-pleaser. This delicious dish combines melt-in-your-mouth beef with a mix of vegetables, including cabbage, carrots, and potatoes. Other popular dishes include colcannon (mashed potatoes with cabbage or kale), soda bread, and Irish stew.
For dessert, you can opt for a traditional Irish treat, like bread and butter pudding or barmbrack. If you would prefer a more modern twist, whip up a cheesecake or mousse made with Baileys Irish Cream liqueur.
Go big on the green
Ireland is frequently associated with the color green, which plays a significant role in St. Patrick’s Day celebrations. According to legend, anyone wearing green would be invisible to leprechauns, and those not wearing the color might get pinched.
Encourage your guests to drape themselves in green clothing and accessories, like sunglasses, necklaces, and hats. Depending on how many attendees you’ll have, you could even offer a prize for best dressed to get everyone into the holiday spirit.
When it comes to decor, any good Paddy’s Day party will have an abundance of green, including balloons, tablescapes, streamers, and confetti. Don’t forget to save the decorations so you can continue to use them year after year.
Provide festive drinks
Typically, alcoholic beverages go hand-in-hand with many Irish celebrations, and this is especially true for St. Patrick’s Day. Beer lovers can indulge in holiday favorites like Guinness, Kilkenny, Smithwick’s, or Harp. If you prefer cider, Magners is an excellent choice.
When it comes to hard liquor, Irish whiskeys like Jameson and Tullamore Dew are always popular – whether they’re served on their own or in an Irish coffee.
However, there are also plenty of non-alcoholic drinks that are equally festive as well. With just a little food dye, you can transform ordinary seltzer water or clear soda into a bright green concoction that’s perfect for celebrating. Don’t forget to add limes or kiwis as a garnish to your bubbly drinks for a festive touch.
While many people view St. Patrick’s Day as a party holiday, its roots go much deeper than that. What once began as a religious holiday has become an annual tradition for fun-loving revelers who want to celebrate Irish culture and traditions.
