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St. Patrick’s day is Wednesday, Mar. 17. If you are planning to celebrate or hosting a party, keep costs down with these tips, courtesy of The Party Goddess.
- Wrap a wreath you already own in clovers.
- Hand out basic limerick guidelines as your guests arrive and hold a limerick contest after people have had a few drinks. Prepare a small prize for the limerick that gets the most cheers – a set of pencils, a bottle of Guinness, or a book of limericks.
- Create a vibrant green runner with sheets of wheat grass, rolls of sod, or vases of clover.
- Spray paint terra cotta pots gold and fill them with shamrock or clover plants.
- Serve a green cocktail. Start with vodka or tequila and add a splash of green juice, Midori, or Absynthe. Pre-make them in pitchers for faster service and garnish with fun green candy. Or make an Irish cocktail.
- Engage kids by having them decorate their own leprechaun hats. Provide plain hats and tools to decorate.
Here is a true or false quiz about St. Patty’s day that you can have guests take.
- A legend regarding St. Patrick is that he rid Ireland of snakes by ringing his bell.
- We celebrate St. Patrick’s Day on March 17th because that is when St. Patrick died.
- The holiday got its American start in 1737 in Boston.
- The shamrock was a sacred plant in ancient Ireland because it symbolized the rebirth of spring.
- St. Patrick used the shamrock to explain the Christian doctrine of the Trinity to the Irish.
- There are more Americans of Irish origin than there are Irish in Ireland.
- Delaware, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire Irish are the leading ancestral group.
- On St. Patrick’s Day, you can bring yourself good luck by finding a four-leaf clover, wearing green and kissing the Blarney stone.
Yay! The last day of the Bargain Babe Gift Guide is here. I’m looking forward to getting back to my normal money-savings tips. A bit ironic that I’m closing the gift guide with gifts when you are NOT on a budget. Mostly this is for all of us to ohh and ahh over, then head to Target to budget shop.
A pint-sized computer known as a netbook is a great gift for any one who craves being connected. Prices range from $200-$600 for the top of the line. Not sure how to pick out the right netbook for you? Check out my netbook buying guide.
I’m an iPhone devotee and I make no bones about it. Some say the Android Google phone is gaining steam, but do you really want a phone that croaks “droid!” every time you turn it on? The best feature is that the iPhone is so intuitive there’s no need to read the manual. Plus, new apps make it possible to read books on it so no need to invest in a Kindle. $99-$499. Buy it!
J.Crew’s cashmwere sweaters are renown for their quality and comfort. Expect to pay upwards of $100 or more unless you get one on sale. Also check Nordstrom’s, Bloomingdale’s and Macy’s for sales. Buy it!
A set of fancy olive oil and fig-infused balsamic vinegar is a super versatile gift that works for relatives, distant friends or family, your boss, or even a neighbor. The two tall Italian glass bottles come tucked into a sturdy cardboard box with packaging that oozes luxury. Two 200ml bottles are $40 from Global Gardens in Santa Barbara. Buy it!
