St. Patrick’s Day Tradition Ideas

Working diligently to share tradition ideas for every holiday and special celebration, we are now into March, and the 17 marks the history behind an incredible servant – St. Patrick.

Even though I don’t really believe in “luck,” so to speak, I know many enjoy the fun tradition ideas and St. Patrick’s Day Recipes and Meal Ideas that stem from St. Patrick’s Day, so these are for you… The Great Green Gala is one of my favorites from that post.  (Scroll to the end of the post for the historical background of Saint Patrick. He was truly an amazing man.)

The Leprechaun Trap

Purchase a small inexpensive birdcage from a pet store. Remove the bottom and the accessories and spray paint it green. Decorate it any way you would like. We used green shamrock garland from the craft store, and passed it back and forth through the bars.

The really fun part is creating a theme based on how you want to catch the Leprechaun. We found a little table and several chairs that we also painted green, and put a sign out front that read “Lucky Cafe”. We even baked tiny little cookies to leave out to lure the Leprechaun into our trap. A puddle of green frosting was left on the ground just inside the door, in hopes that it might prevent an escape.

For another twist, on the Leprechaun Trap, check out my Leprechaun Hat Trap Post. It’s so very easy and you can make it at home.

Ode to Green/The Great Green Gala
Don’t wake up blue; wake up green.

Start with your breakfast, and make the entire day green. Have green scrambled eggs with green juice, or green pancakes with green syrup. For lunch, make green sandwiches with green Jell-O or pudding, green grapes and green milk. Prepare an all green dinner with green mashed potatoes or rice along with some green soup or pasta.

Get creative and make sure that the entire day is green! Your festive dinner will only be served to those who are dressed appropriately, head to toe, all in green! Each year the outfits your family dreams up will get more outrageous. Soon this will become one of your family’s favorite holiday activities. Don’t forget to snap your annual photo, all dressed in green, to include in your St. Patrick’s Day album.

The Lucky Penny Hunt

Every St. Patrick’s Day, hide pennies in your backyard or around the house for your children and their friends to hunt for. Explain that leprechauns love to hide lucky coins in the yard and once found, they can be exchanged for a small treat. There is one catch: the leprechauns have put an unlucky spell on all of the coins and only children have the power to reverse this spell.

Once the coins have all been collected, the children must give an example of why they are lucky in order to reverse the spell and receive their treat. “I am lucky because…” This tradition will teach children to appreciate and enjoy what they have.

For more St. Patrick’s Day Games and ideas, continue reading.

I asked my son, Taylor, to research the history of Saint Patrick and the use of the clover.

Why do we celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day?

Recognized for being a missionary to Ireland, Saint Patrick was born in Britain in the year 387. At the age of 14, he was captured by Irish raiders and brought to Ireland as a slave. For 6 years, Patrick lived in captivity, all the time constantly strengthening his faith in God. At the end of the six years, he heard a voice saying that he would soon go home and that his ship was waiting.

Patrick soon escaped from his Irish master and fled to a port 200 miles away. He was soon able to travel home being a man in his early twenties. After only a few days at home, Patrick said to have had a vision of an Irishman coming toward him with a letter saying “The Voice of the Irish.” At that moment, he said he could hear every voice in Ireland saying, “We appeal to you, holy shepherd boy, come and walk among us again.” Against much opposition, Patrick returned to Ireland. He preached to the pagan nation about Jesus Christ and having a personal relationship with Him. He supposedly is the first one to use the shamrock, or the three headed clover as a way to teach the Irish about the Trinity. Baptizing thousands of Christians, Saint Patrick changed the Irish nation.

Miraculously, Patrick ordained priests to lead new Christian communities, he converted wealthy women who would later become nuns, and he also converted kings and chiefs who would lead their tribes to Christianity. Patrick’s position as a foreigner was not an easy one.  He would not accept gifts which put him outside kinship or friendship. Legally, he was without protection. He was beaten multiple times, put back in to slavery numerous times, and robbed of all he had on many occasions, and STILL he choose to serve.

Saint Patrick died on March 17, in the year 493 A.D. His death year is widely debated to this day, but according to writings and Irish annals, 493 is the most widely accepted year. Patrick died a legendary figure and the “Missionary to the Irish.” His character continually displayed courage and an unwavering faith in doing what was right.