1. Crank up the Irish Music
Whether you wish to select a few rock stars with Irish background, or go for a more traditional approach and immerse yourself in the rich sounds of more traditional Irish music, there are few better ways to celebrate a holiday of any kind than to listen to the music of the day.
There are many big name Irish rock stars, some you probably know and some you may not. For more modern sounds, thumb through your music collection for some U2, or The Cranberries, or Van Morrison.
For a little more authentic cultural influence, try playing some traditional Irish folk music while you celebrate the day. Sometimes called Celtic music, Irish folk bands usually include a fiddle, harp, Uilleann Pipes which are much like regular bagpipes, and a hand-held drum called a Bohdran.
Irish folk music should be played with caution, however, since listeners can often break out into spontaneous attempts at Riverdance line-ups or traditional Irish Jigs.
2. Cook an Irish Meal
Like any other country, Ireland has its share of culinary specialties. Some of the most commonly found dishes around Ireland are smoked salmon and oysters, soda bread, and Irish stew.
It should be no surprise that seafood plays a part in many meals from the Emerald Isle. However, many other rich flavors can be found across the Irish menu, such as pork, potatoes, and cabbage.
Although corned beef and cabbage is not truly an Irish meal, it is an American-ized variation on the real dish – bacon and cabbage. No matter which one you choose, just wear a little green while you fix it up.
For a unique meal, involve the whole family in preparing several traditional Irish dishes to sample at once, such as bangers and mash, or colcannon and champ. The recipes are easy to find online and generally use easy find ingredients.
3. Create Irish-themed Arts and Crafts
St. Patrick’s Day celebrations usually involve large amounts of the color green. Some people feel compelled to wear at least one article of green clothing, while others will don the color of the Emerald Isle from head to toe.
There are other ways to use the color green to help celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. A little green food coloring can create appropriately tinted drinks and desserts, while green felts and fabrics can help with arts and crafts.
For ideas, the Internet is again a great source of inspiration. Pinterest can be used to find ideas for kids and adults alike, but there are plenty of other sites dedicated to Irish arts and crafts. Ideas range from fun projects for kids to traditional products made for everyday use.
A quick search on the Internet can turn up lots of art and craft ideas for kids. Spend the afternoon creating traps for Leprechauns, or tissue paper shamrocks, or Celtic knots. There’s no shortage of creations you can make by starting with the color green.
But remember, green is not the only color associated with St. Patrick’s Day. Make sure you include a rainbow and hopefully, it will lead to your very own pot of gold.
