There’s no better time to be an Irishman than in March! Of course, there are always the stereotypical portrayals of the Irish population, but St. Patrick’s Day can be a simple celebration this year, especially if there are little children involved!
Traditions
St. Patrick’s Day celebrates, no surprises here, Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. March 17th marks the day of his passing, to which all of Ireland would celebrate his life lived and bringing Christianity to the land. It became a holiday in the 17th century, celebrated as the Feast of St. Patrick, with the Church of Ireland, The Catholic Church, The Eastern Orthodox Church, and The Lutheran Church partaking in the festivities.
And if you are wondering whether St. Patrick wore green a lot, you will be amiss on that item. Wearing green on St. Patrick’s Day is actually traced to more fictitious reasons having to do with leprechauns. It is said that leprechauns will pinch people not wearing the celebratory green, thus everyone wears green to blend in. It is even supposed that wearing green makes you invisible to the leprechauns altogether! But wearing green is not really a tradition in Ireland itself, so most likely, wearing green was more of an English tradition when celebrating the holiday.
Today’s Holiday
Although slightly different in today’s celebration, St. Patrick’s Day still commemorates the Irish folk we are happy to call brothers and sisters. There is still a feast involved, and everyone usually partakes in some drinking, as well as dancing and being around the ones they love.
If you want to celebrate with your family this year, there is plenty you can do to celebrate with little ones! You can decorate the house green, including leprechaun cut outs and shamrocks for good luck! Be sure that you and your kids are dressed in green, and if you see any friends or family not sporting the color, be sure to give them a little pinch on the arm! If you are looking to get out and be active, there are most likely some 5k marathons that you and your kids can jog or walk to help celebrate the holiday and help a cause in your community. You can make cookies and either dye the dough green, or use green frosting to decorate, with the help of your kids! You can cook a traditional Irish feast for dinner, with items like corned beef, cabbage, potatoes, carrots, and more!
Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
Katie Kyzivat