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Don’t believe that everyone who claims an Irish background in time for St. Patrick’s Day is being completely honest with their heritage. It’s become an American tradition to adopt wearing green and celebrating the happy date no matter if you can boast of Irish blood or not. Many communities celebrate with parades or other family events, but if you live in an area that doesn’t, chances are good that at the very least you will find a business offering a special of corned beef and cabbage.
Unfortunately, a lot of kids will turn up their noses at cabbage. Don’t let that keep you from joining in the fun that has been an American celebration since 1735. Start your own traditions so that you can recognize St. Patrick’s Day with the family.
Plan a menu with Irish foods that don’t include the cooked leafy green and serve a portion of cabbage on the side for those who wouldn’t dream of letting the day pass without the treat. There is an age appropriate task for all of the kids in the family in the preparation of a hearty Irish Stew. Dinner can simmer away with little attention and the counters and table will be free, giving the cook time and space to start the little ones on making decorated place mats for the evening meal.
Any menu can take on the Irish theme that you are looking for when you prepare a boxty as a side dish. This potato pancake has so many variations that the family may decide that they want it served to them throughout the year.
A bit of green food coloring goes a long way, so most kitchens have plenty on hand to color the St. Patrick’s Day beverage with enough left to decorate a sweet treat. Cookie cutters are available in St. Patrick’s Day themed shapes, but even a simple circular sugar cookie can be frosted green and sparkle like an emerald with colored sugar.
There is no need to worry about it raining on your parade when you start your own holiday traditions. Mid March has unpredictable weather, but the family can work up a pink cheeked glow by practicing dancing like a leprechaun or devising their own version of an Irish jig right in the family room.
How can a home decorated with rainbows, pots of gold, four leaf clovers, three-leafed shamrocks and leprechauns be anything but lucky? Stock up on green construction paper and school paste to keep the kids busy in the days leading up to March 17 with crafts to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with the family.
19 Responses
It seems to be fun! Too bad, I never enjoyed St. Patrick’s day. :/
Sounds like a lot of fun when you get into the thick of things for St. Patrick’s Day.
I wonder how those green beverages tastes like. 🙂
we used to celebrate St. Patrick’s when I was still working in this UK Call center that operates in Makati, we’d all come to work dressed in our favorite greens + have merry-making, too! I missed those days…
There are a lot of holidays celebrated around the globe that originated with what seemed to be a no-no 🙂 google will help with that hihi…
I honestly don’t know what and when is st. patricks day. Pang catholic ba yan?
wow! looks like St Patrick’s Day is a recipe for parades, parties and fun. 🙂
I’ll try to wear green at least once a week para swerte! I have a little shamrock and clover leaf figurines at home from a friend who lives in Ireland. Hope it will bring my luck!
when was the st. patrick’s day? sayang d manlng ako nakapag green for luck!
Haha! That’s true. Not everyone who celebrate’s this day is Irish. I remember watching an episode of How I Met Your Mother where one of the characters named Barney Stinson wore a green suit on St. Patrick’s Day. It’s kind of hilarious. I don’t understand why some people go to the extremes with this one.
i love St Patrick’s day.. we always wear green on that day. doesn’t matter if I am the only one in Manila who does…
traditions from around the world are countless but, celebrating can be more memorable and meaningful with our family around.
they say it is a good luck to celebrate it even some wear that symbol for goodluck
During my childhood, I always thought that St. Patrick’s day is full of greens and of course, don’t you ever miss the pot of golds!
I can totally related. My country doesn’t have a collar theme like green but we do have our festivals just like St. Patricks. Festivals and fiestas are synonymous with family reunions and parties.
I guess our common catholic heritages makes both our cultures very family-oriented.
I meant “color theme”. Sorry… 🙂
I am not familiar with St. Patrick’s Day. Thanks to this post I knew little things about it now.
Americans really boast this traditions, I envy them because they still manage to give it a tribute inspite of their busy lives. We filipinos on the other have something in common but most of us tend to forget them already.
“It’s become an American tradition to adopt wearing green and celebrating the happy date no matter if you can boast of Irish blood or not.” Quite true, if universally speaking. =) I mean, there are some traditions that we Filipinos still participate in, even if it didn’t originate from our own country. =)