We Newfoundlanders and Labradorians are serious about St. Patrick’s Day. So serious, it’s a public holiday! We’re literally the closest place in North America to Ireland, so it makes sense. Celebrating at home this year? Need a little inspiration for a day full of green-tinged shenanigans? We’ve got you covered.
Spoiler alert: It involves beer cake and trapping leprechauns.
Wear green, of course!
Get the whole fam to get out their green attire and dress up! Green shirts, hats, face stickers – the options are endless.
Leprechauns are actually one reason you’re supposed to wear green on St. Patrick’s Day—or risk getting pinched! The tradition is tied to folklore that says wearing green makes you invisible to leprechauns, who like to pinch anyone they can see. Some people also think sporting the colour will bring good luck, and others wear it to honour their Irish ancestry.
Cook an authentic Irish recipe
…With an NL twist. We recommend this delicious St. John’s Stout Stew from RockRecipes. You won’t be disappointed – it has YellowBelly St. John’s Stout!
And don’t forget dessert! We’ve got just the thing: Guinness Chocolate Cake. Yes – it’s absolutely as delicious as you imagine.
It’s all fun and games until….
Until nothing. It’s all fun and games on St. Patrick’s Day! Here are some fun ideas!
St. Paddy’s Day Sensory Bin
We love this idea for your little ones. Make a sensory bin out of green things like dyed rice and navy beans. Give them a couple of scoops and let them find the gold coins.
This blog has tons of ideas.
Make a Leprechaun Trap
This one from the Suburban Soapbox uses the following materials:
- 1 sheet of green poster board
- 1 sheet of black construction paper
- 1 sheet of yellow construction paper
- 1 sheet of scrapbook paper
- 2 red pipe cleaners
- 2 orange pipe cleaners
- 2 yellow pipe cleaners
- 2 green pipe cleaners
- 2 purple pipe cleaners
- a pile of white pom poms or cotton balls in assorted sizes
- 1 foam shamrock (or green foam sheet cut into shamrock shape)
- 1 small flower pot, painted black
- 1 pack of Rolos candy, individually wrapped
- 1 small ladder….can be constructed from paper straws
- 1 hot glue gun
And here are 15 more fun ideas from Lolly Jane 🍀
Pot O’ Gold Coin Toss
Who doesn’t love a bean bag toss? Here’s a gold take on a classic game. You only need gold coins and a black pot (If you have a leftover witch’s cauldron from Halloween this is the perfect place to reuse it).
Need more inspo? Here are more fun
St. Patrick’s Day Games.
Play some Irish tunes
If you’re working from home, make it more fun with your favourite Irish music. If you’re not working – lucky you! You get to have an Irish dance party in the kitchen all day long!
Take in a Concert from Home
Fire up the TV and speakers and take in a live, local concert from home.
So many of our favourite local artists are doing online concerts for St. Patrick’s Day –
check them out!
- Shamrock City Pub has a full-day line up on March 17th
- Fine Lads St. Paddy’s Day Home Event – Saturday, March 13
- From the Rock to the Emerald Isle will bring a cultural exchange of story and song on Sunday, March 14
- Torbay Virtual St. Patrick’s Day Concert – Sunday, March 14
- Tune into VOCM on March 17th from 3:00 p.m. – midnight for the Irish Newfoundland St. Patrick’s Day Show, featuring Shanneyganock. The special edition of the show will support the Community Food Sharing Association.
Make the most of your St. Patrick’s Day from wherever you are; hopefully next year we will be back in full Irish swing!