(FeatureSource) Few days are
celebrated with more fervor
than St. Patrick's Day. So why crowd into an Irish pub
and pay for overpriced green beer when you can be
partying in style?
"St. Patrick's Day is a perfect combination of joyous
community, ethnic pride and ribald fun," says Penny
Warner, author of "The Best Party Book: 1001 Creative
Ideas for Fun Parties" (Meadowbrook Press).
"It's one of the biggest party days of the year," Warner
says. "So take an active hand and host your own
celebration."
Warner says sending an invitation in a green envelope
will let your guests know that you're in the spirit of
the
day. If that doesn't do it, the invitation itself -
written in
green ink and accompanied by shamrocks - will clue
them in. Be sure to state in the invitation that your
guests
should wear as much green as possible.
Decorate the party site with symbols of good luck:
horseshoes, rabbit's feet and four-leaf clovers. Put up
posters featuring an Irish setting or pictures of
Ireland
itself. For a centerpiece, place a large rock on the
table
and decorate it with lipstick kisses. Tell your guests
that
this is the "Blarney stone."
Serve traditional food of the Emerald Isle. Corned
beef
and cabbage, Irish stew and baked potatoes are great
choices. And of course, wash down everything with beer.
Some green beers are available for purchase. Otherwise,
tint your own with food coloring.
Besides the food, drink and good company, there are a
number of activities that will amp up your party. Pick
any of the following games to play:
Hide
charms throughout the house and ask your
guests to look for them. A popular charm is a lottery
ticket, but regardless of the specific item, remind your
guests that they only get one apiece.
Quiz
your guests on Irish history and culture. Use an
almanac or guidebook as a reference, and throw in a few
false facts to see if they can tell the difference. The
guest with the most correct answers wins.
Gather
your guests together and, one at a time, have
them name something Irish. If someone can't name an
item, that person is out. Keep going until you have a
winner.
When the party is over, be sure to send your guests
home
with a memento of the evening. This can be anything
from more charms to a poster of Ireland to a CD of Irish
folk songs.
Your guests will already be looking forward to the next
St. Patrick's Day - the one day each year when
everybody is Irish.
Warner's "The Best Party Book: 1001 Creative Ideas
for
Fun Parties" has a lifetime's worth of themes, hints and
guidelines for hosting any celebration.
