Party Like You’re Irish

I’m not Irish.

Well… actually, I am.  Waaayyy back there.  My Grandma’s grandma came off a boat from Ireland and her middle name, Leane (which is also my middle name), is of Irish origin.  I guess deep down in my soul I am wearing green proudly.  But in reality, I don’t know that much about the holiday itself… so I decided to consult an “expert.”

My friend Annalise knows what it’s really like to “party like you’re Irish!”  In fact, she’s been partying every St. Patrick’s Day (SPD) for her entire life… because it’s her birthday!  Since she turned 20, she has truly embraced the day as her own, even though she is of Norwegian decent and she lived in Taiwan for many of those years where they do not celebrate St. Patrick’s Day at all.

So in an effort to find some of the very best St. Patrick’s Day party tips for you, I decided to interview her.  What she excitedly shares may surprise you… and may inspire you to create some Leprechaun mischief of your own!

1. What is your favorite part (and/or least favorite part) of having your birthday on St. Patrick’s Day?

I really love minor holidays (Valentine’s Day, SPD, April Fools’ Day, etc.) because they’re not a super big deal but still the day is just a little extra special. So I love having my birthday on SPD! It’s fun to have the people around me, who I don’t even know, celebrating with me. And, it’s fun because a lot of people remember my birthday and think of me when they see SPD stuff.  Also, when someone says “happy birthday” to me I can respond with a “Happy St. Patrick’s Day!” (For the record, I, Jenny, ALWAYS think of my friend Annalise on St. Patrick’s Day)

2.  What have been some of your favorite birthday/SPD memories?

Post college, for about five years, I would dress as a leprechaun all day. That was fun! On my 30th birthday I dressed as a leprechaun and ran in a St. Paddy’s Day race in Seattle. Of course there is always the green food and drinks. I’ll often have green eggs and ham on my birthday morning (I also celebrate Dr. Suess’ birthday on March 2nd..it’s a minor holiday for me). This year I’m planning on cooking a traditional Irish meal (corned beef and cabbage) and having a few friends over!

3.  If someone was having a SPD party, what are some of the best ideas you could give them-for snacks, decorations, activities, attire?

Everything GREEN!!!! Get some green food coloring and go crazy with it! Dye even the regular food items green. Kids might enjoy green milk. Sometimes people have made me shamrock cookies. Green cupcakes. Cucumbers & green peppers…

Oooh… another fun thing that I have done is cut out green paper foot prints and taped them to the floor. They are leprechaun footprints that lead the kids/guests to the food/prizes. [The family of the kids I nanny for] builds traps to try to catch the leprechaun. And usually on SPD morning their house has been totally messed up (chairs overturned, cereal spilled, pillows on the floor, etc.) by the trouble-making leprechaun. The kids love it! Pin the shamrock on the leprechaun is a classic. I’m sending my nanny kids on a scavenger hunt this year. The final prize will be a pot of gold (with green candy, of course).

I would also say that it is worth learning about the man St. Patrick, because these minor holidays often have deeper meaning behind what American culture has made them. And it’s good for kids (and adults) to know this. The holiday doesn’t really do justice to who he was. Patrick was kidnapped as a kid and forced to be a slave. While he was tending sheep he would talk to God about his suffering. One day he escaped and returned to his family. Years later he returned to the land of his captors (Ireland) to tell them the good news about Jesus. He died on March 17th.

4.  Has anything ever gone terribly wrong or been completely embarrassing at one of your birthday/SPD parties?

Living in Taiwan, where no one knows about St. Patrick’s Day, was always interesting. I remember one year I went downtown on my scooter in my full-blown leprechaun costume. My long green wig was flying in the wind. It was right around a big election and one of the party’s colors was green! I didn’t really want to take sides because that election was especially sensitive, but I can’t imagine what people thought of a crazy American woman, riding a scooter, dressed in crazy green, with green hair flying in the wind! Hahaha!

5.  Are you actually Irish? 

People always ask me if I’m Irish. My standard response is, “Only on my birthday!” I’m Norwegian. I have one Aunt (who married into the family) who is Irish. She calls me her “Irish niece.” I finally got to celebrate SPD/my birthday with her on my 30th birthday.