We are one month away from St. Patrick’s Day. While, not a ‘major’ holiday, it is an opportunity for memory making you don’t want to miss.
I want to start with a little back story. When my children were very small and I was a stay at home mom, I babysat for my dear friend. Her son was born right in between my two children. I had a four year old and a 1 year old, and the little boy I watched was two. We had fun days at the zoo, neighborhood parades, and endless summer days spent playing on the swingset and in the inflatable pool. But some of my favorite memories were the holidays we got to spend together. Valentine’s Day was easy, Easter was easy, of course Christmas, Thanksgiving, and July 4th were easy. But holidays like St. Patrick’s Day called for a bit more creativity.
Here’s how we would celebrate, and whether you have small children around or not, these are some fun ways you can celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, too.
Who was St Patrick?
St. Patrick of Ireland is one of the world’s most popular saints.
Apostle of Ireland, born at Kilpatrick, in Scotland, in the year 387; died at Saul, Downpatrick, Ireland, 17 March, 461.
There are many legends and stories of St. Patrick, but this is his story.
Patrick was born around 385 in Scotland, probably Kilpatrick. His parents were Calpurnius and Conchessa, who were Romans living in Britain in charge of the colonies.
As a boy of fourteen or so, he was captured during a raiding party and taken to Ireland as a slave to herd and tend sheep. Ireland at this time was a land of Druids and pagans. He learned the language and practices of the people who held him.
During his captivity, he turned to God in prayer. He wrote;
“The love of God and his fear grew in me more and more, as did the faith, and my soul was roused, so that, in a single day, I have said as many as a hundred prayers and in the night, nearly the same.” “I prayed in the woods and on the mountain, even before dawn. I felt no hurt from the snow or ice or rain.”
Patrick’s captivity lasted until he was twenty, when he escaped after having a dream from God in which he was told to leave Ireland by going to the coast. There he found some sailors who took him back to Britain, where he reunited with his family.
He had another dream in which the people of Ireland were calling out to him, “We beg you, holy youth, to come and walk among us once more.”
He began his studies for the priesthood. He was ordained by St. Germanus, the Bishop of Auxerre, whom he had studied under for years.
Later, Patrick was ordained a bishop, and was sent to take the Gospel to Ireland. He arrived in Ireland March 25, 433, at Slane. One legend says that he met a chieftain of one of the tribes, who tried to kill Patrick. Patrick converted Dichu (the chieftain) after he was unable to move his arm until he became friendly to Patrick.
Patrick began preaching the Gospel throughout Ireland, converting many. He and his disciples preached and converted thousands and began building churches all over the country. Kings, their families, and entire kingdoms converted to Christianity when hearing Patrick’s message.
Patrick by now had many disciples, among them Beningnus, Auxilius, Iserninus, and Fiaac, (all later canonized as well).
Patrick preached and converted all of Ireland for 40 years. He worked many miracles and wrote of his love for God in Confessions. After years of living in poverty, traveling and enduring much suffering he died March 17, 461.
Luck of the Irish
On those blustery warm spring days, I would take the kids into the back yard or to the neighborhood park and sit them down into the grass. I would tell them about St Patrick, his work among the people of Ireland, spreading the gospel and converting people to Christ. While I was reading them stories, they would dig through the lawn and look diligently for four leaf clovers. Amazingly enough, most years we found them! I guess they aren’t as hard to find when you’re diligent in your search.
Once each child had found their clover, we would take them back inside and press them carefully between wax paper. Sometimes we made bookmarks with them, sometimes we made sun catchers. All I remember is how the kids loved the adventure and the feeling of finding these little St Patrick’s Day treasures.
Silly songs and other stories
One of the kids favorite activities was getting to watch the St Patrick movie. It’s not quite a movie, as it’s less than 10 minutes long. But after a morning outside, they were always happy to snuggle up on the sofa and watch a little video. Even now, so many years later, I can still recall most of the dialogue of this cute little film.
Plate up the good times
All those festivities always worked up an appetite, and we tried to make the most of it! Of course there are the obvious choices like green grapes, green apples, and green beans. But these kiddos always found it fun when we really got creative! Sometimes we died pasta green, sometimes we made snack plates full of things like pistachios, green veggies, and green veggie dip. I tried benedictine sandwiches once, but that wasn’t a huge success with the little ones!
You could also try things like Shamrock shakes, mint chocolate chip ice cream, creamed peas or spinach, lettuce wraps, sandwich wraps made from spinach tortillas, kale salad, guacamole, or key lime pie. Of course, if all else fails, there’s always Lucky Charms cereal.
Don’t let yourself get pinched
If you’re looking for a quick but totally cute St Patrick’s day shirt, you’ll find yourself reaching for this one year after year. It’s super cute, but easy enough to kiddos to make.
You can make them short sleeved, long sleeved, or sweat shirt weight. You can make them oversized to wear like a night shirt, or for a small child to wear as a full-body bib.
All you need is the shirt of your choosing, and a couple of green textile markers, and these directions.
St Patrick’s Day to remember
Whether you’re a mom with littles, baby sit for others, or have grandchildren running around, these four ways to celebrate St Patricks Day will make a ton of memories both for you and for them! They would also be fun to do with older adults, those in assisted living, or anyone who is homebound. Who knows, with these activities you might create a new holiday tradition.
