WandaMarks Posted March 1, 2013 Share Posted March 1, 2013 Hello all, I am wondering if any of you have any Saint Patrick's Day traditions you would like to share the more unusual the better! This is the first time my Hubby and I will have both St. P's day and the next day off *Together* in about 10 years so we are looking to spice things up a little by doing something fun I thought a couple of these would add to the spirit of the event http://www.rockworldeast.com/store/St_Paddys_Day_T-Shirt_Irish_For_A_Day is it wrong to wear 'couples' shirts? lol Have an awesome weekend! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sillymommy Posted March 1, 2013 Share Posted March 1, 2013 The kids build leprechaun traps in the days leading up to St. Pat's, set them out on the 16th & hope they've caught one in the morning. That's about the extent of our celebration. if I can find a library book about the real St. Patrick, we read that. Occasionally, I make beef boxy from scratch. No matching shirts here... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DianeW88 Posted March 1, 2013 Share Posted March 1, 2013 Well, it's not at all a religious celebration for my family, so we're all about having fun with my dh's Irish heritage. The leprechauns come during the night and hide gold covered chocolate coins all over the house for the kids to find (even my big kids still like this if they're home, because, hey...it's candy), and we eat an Irish meal for dinner, with fun treats. Lots of green and little tricks throughout the day, because you know how those leprechauns can be. ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elegantlion Posted March 1, 2013 Share Posted March 1, 2013 We sit on our porch and watch the parade. Seriously, our small town parade queues on our street. The dog thinks it's great. In prior years we did the big parade in town, wore green, and drank a lot. Irish heritage goes way back on both sides. It's quite possible dh's family and my family lived near each other a few hundreds years ago. Hopefully the snow will have melted in time this year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris in VA Posted March 1, 2013 Share Posted March 1, 2013 Our church views it as a break from Lenten discipline--our Brotherhood of St. Andrew guys put on a dinner for the parish. It is the only place I will eat corned beef--and it's delicious. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
almondbutterandjelly Posted March 1, 2013 Share Posted March 1, 2013 Green rice krispy treats. And corned beef and cabbage. (Not all at the same time.) Bing Crosby cd -- "Top o' the Morning, His Irish Collection." I have always wanted to go to San Antonio and see them dye the river green, but have never made it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alessandra Posted March 1, 2013 Share Posted March 1, 2013 home: Irish music (recorded) and corned beef & cabbage & soda bread OR restaurant: similar meal + pipers & dancing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joker Posted March 1, 2013 Share Posted March 1, 2013 We usually go to our favorite local pub for dinner and drinks. This year, though, we'll be going to a Matchbox Twenty concert. :coolgleamA: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Serenade Posted March 1, 2013 Share Posted March 1, 2013 For the past three or four years, my boys have made Leprechaun traps, which the parents destroy at night (in the name of the Leprechaun, of course), and leave little treats and notes along the lines of, "You can't catch me!" Now that both of them know there isn't a Leprechaun (last year the little guy still believed), I'm not sure if they'll build one. I hate to see the tradition die. I've told them they'll get candy if they build one, and we'll pretend there is a Leprechaun! Crazy 8 has some cute boys' St. Patty's Day shirts. I bought one for each of mine. They are pretty cheap right now, $4.99. There are three styles. http://www.crazy8.co...ted=0&fit_type= ETA: We usually make corned beef and cabbage, too, although I don't really love it. My boys and DH, do, however. I don't think it ever tastes right now that you can no longer buy the pre-marinated ones. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Onceuponatime Posted March 1, 2013 Share Posted March 1, 2013 With cake and ice cream, it's my son's birthday. Sometimes we have corned beef and cabbage. This year we are having roast turkey and mashed potatoes because I have a turkey in the freezer that I want to cook. I love Irish tunes by John Gary, they are off an old album of my father's. A very funny leprechaun book is McGillicuddy McGotham by Leonard Wibberly. I read it as a child and cherished the memory. One day, when I was an adult, I found the book in a thrift store and bought it immediately. When I got home and opened it up, it was full of pressed four leaf clovers! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnIslandGirl Posted March 1, 2013 Share Posted March 1, 2013 We build a leprechaun trap (you're never too old!), and somehow we can just never catch the little bugger! One year he forgot to flush the toilet in my daughters bathroom... oh the horror! ;) Just green food dye for those who might be offended. We are delighted though when he leaves chocolate coins. Living in MA, we have lots of Irish influence, so it's a green (and rainbow) wardrobe kind of day. Some years we make it Boston to support our friends who march in the gay pride parade. I have to admit though I'm a fair weather friend... if it's raining or too cold, I'll have an Irish coffee in their honor! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Library Momma Posted March 1, 2013 Share Posted March 1, 2013 Last year my kids made Leprechaun traps too. They didn't catch any leprechauns but mysteriously discovered potatoes in their place. Sneaky they are! Usually I make corned beef and cabbage and we watch the Quiet Man. Pretty low key. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spryte Posted March 1, 2013 Share Posted March 1, 2013 Library Momma, I can't quote you on my phone but our kids caught potatoes last year, too. The leprechauns turn into potatoes when you catch them! Our potato did all sorts of crazy things on St Pat's Day last year. ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laurie4b Posted March 2, 2013 Share Posted March 2, 2013 We start out the day with green, shamrock shaped pancakes (just drop 3 small spoonfuls together in a shamrock shape and drizzle a little stem between 2 of them). My teenaged boys still like these. I really like to read the story of St. Patrick. It's such a beautiful story of forgiveness and God's power. We wear green. We often have corned beef and cabbage for dinner. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
*Michelle* Posted March 2, 2013 Share Posted March 2, 2013 We read about St. Patrick and do some shamrock/Holy Trinity crafts. I think this year I'll make a stew and soda bread. I'm going to steal the shamrock pancakes idea too. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mumto2 Posted March 2, 2013 Share Posted March 2, 2013 Leprechaun traps all over the house courtesy of ds. They use Irish pennies or euros to buy their way out! Never knew other people did the traps so fun thread. Green dessert party at night with shamrock lights. Usually mint chocolate chip ice cream and green fizzy water. I made a shamrock cake once with heart shaped cake pans. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest inoubliable Posted March 2, 2013 Share Posted March 2, 2013 We drink. And have mint chocolate chip ice cream. We wanted to do Kegs and Eggs this year but no way can DH get out of work. http://www.dc101.com/cc-common/news/sections/newsarticle.html?feed=420170&article=10972982 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChristineW Posted March 2, 2013 Share Posted March 2, 2013 Corned beef (Trader Joes precooked is in a small enough package that we aren't eating it for days after and the kids will actually eat it) with colcannon and Irish soda bread. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kateincali Posted March 2, 2013 Share Posted March 2, 2013 Darby O'Gill and the Little People!!! We always pull this movie out and of course The Quiet Man. Then we eat traditional corned beef and potatoes. Lots of green too. My grandmother loved her Irish heritage and St Patricks Day was almost more important than Easter! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mom in High Heels Posted March 2, 2013 Share Posted March 2, 2013 The naughty Leprechauns visit our house on the night before and cause all sorts of havoc. In the past they have (not all in the same year): Hung green streamers in front (from the casing) of Indy's bedroom door. Rigged his door so that confetti would fall on him when he opened his door (They will NOT be doing this again!) Put plastic wrap in front of his door (about face level) so he walked right into it Built a fort out of the sofa cushions and a blanket Opened all the doors and drawers in the kitchen and bathrooms Thrown all of Indy's socks and underwear on the floor of his bedroom Stacked things in the middle of the hallway Turned over all the dining room chairs Left little green hand and foot prints all over the house (green icing) Thrown chocolate covered coins on the floor Disconnected the TV from the cable Hidden all of Indy's shirts And they always turn the toilet water green I'm sure they've done other things, I just can't remember them. It's getting harder and harder for them to come up with new things each year though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donna Posted March 2, 2013 Share Posted March 2, 2013 My kids play Irish music so our St. Patrick's Day (well, the whole first 3 weeks of March actually) are full of music gigs and Irish sessions. It all starts this weekend with a couple gigs locally. We will be spending St. Patrick's weekend at a Sober St. Patrick's Day celebration in NYC on Saturday then playing for a church service followed by a ceili on Sunday. Lots of music, dancing, and friends all month long. There will be plenty of green wearing as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Onceuponatime Posted March 2, 2013 Share Posted March 2, 2013 Darby O'Gill and the Little People!!! We always pull this movie out and of course The Quiet Man. Then we eat traditional corned beef and potatoes. Lots of green too. My grandmother loved her Irish heritage and St Patricks Day was almost more important than Easter! I wouldn't mind having a young Sean Connery sing "My Pretty Irish Girl" to me. A funny: When my husband was young, his sister convinced him he was Irish. He is Tex-Mex. When he asked about his coloring, she told him they were "Black Irish." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AngelaNYC Posted March 2, 2013 Share Posted March 2, 2013 We have corned beef, cabbage, potatoes, and rye bread for dinner and make sure to get a a few Shamrock shakes the week prior. I come from a big Irish family and we always looked forward to St. Patrick's Day. When I was younger, we would go to the NYC parade, get together with the extended family, and have the big dinner. Lots of beer, laughs, and usually a late night. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spryte Posted March 2, 2013 Share Posted March 2, 2013 I'm sure they've done other things, I just can't remember them. It's getting harder and harder for them to come up with new things each year though! It does get harder! Here's a good one that Indy might like - you know those little bath tablets that turn the bath water colors? Take a half of a blue and a half of a green, unscrew the little thing at the end of the faucets in the house (usually there's a little piece with a screen on the end of the faucet, depending on the style), then tuck the little tablets up in the faucet, put the screens back on ... You'll have green faucet water! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RocCityMom Posted March 2, 2013 Share Posted March 2, 2013 We love celebrating St. Patrick's Day. The day before, we usually set up a little leprechaun party site (no trap) outdoors with acorn caps for cups, little rocks and branches for tables and chairs and make a ring of rocks around it. We include berries and clover and trinkets in gold colored foil. In the morning, the treats we left are gone and the leprechauns leave the kids a note. We read St. Patrick's day stories (my kids love A Fine St. Patrick's Day) and eat a fruit rainbow for snack. We listen to Irish music and check out the Irish step-dancing performance at our local library. We go on a four-leaf clover hunt. We usually do some shamrock or rainbow-themed craft too -- like shamrock sun catchers, rainbow kite paper stars, fingerprint shamrocks, etc. We make Irish soda bread and have corned beef and cabbage and sometimes shepherd's pie for dinner. The grown ups all drink Guinness and whiskey; the kids have tea and eat shamrock-shaped cookies. Last year I made a killer Guinness and milk chocolate ice cream. And we always have neighbors over to help us eat all the food and drink all the beer. And we all wear green. It's great fun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theYoungerMrsWarde Posted March 2, 2013 Share Posted March 2, 2013 Boiled dinner (corned beef, potatoes, carrots, cabbage.) That's about it, but I LOVE corned beef and we only buy it the one time a year, so that's special to me. St. P's is two days before one of the boy's birthdays, so we save our money and fun for the birthday. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WandaMarks Posted March 5, 2013 Author Share Posted March 5, 2013 This is the first time I have ever heard of a building a leprechaun trap! I bet my kids would love it (along with the hiding the gold coins idea) any pictures or suggestions for materials to make available to the kids? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dhudson Posted March 5, 2013 Share Posted March 5, 2013 Darby O'Gill and the Little People!!! We always pull this movie out and of course The Quiet Man. Then we eat traditional corned beef and potatoes. Lots of green too. My grandmother loved her Irish heritage and St Patricks Day was almost more important than Easter! We do close to the same. Corned Beef and Cabbage with Irish Soda Bread and The Quiet Man. It is my chance to celebrate my heritage vs my dh's Scottish heritage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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