March 17 is almost upon us, but unfortunately, this year won’t be one for the traditional St. Paddy’s Day pub crawls and parades. Instead, as we have done with other holidays over the past year, it’s time to get creative. There’s no reason why celebrating St. Patrick’s Day at home shouldn’t be just as much fun. It just takes a little bit of imagination – and some luck ‘o the Irish! Besides, a virtual St. Patrick’s Day celebration is a great way to keep spirits up amongst your family and friends. Here are five social distancing-friendly ways to get the festivities rolling.

Host a virtual happy hour. For many people, St. Paddy’s Day is all about letting your hair down and having a drink or two. If the pub is where you and your friends usually celebrate, why not host a virtual happy hour via Zoom? Dress up for the occasion and sip on green cocktails or Irish drinks like Guinness or Bailey’s. Turn it into an Irish-themed virtual pub quiz. Or, if you prefer something a little more sophisticated, why not make it a whiskey or stout tasting?

Share an Irish meal. What would St. Patrick’s Day at home be without a hearty Irish meal? For example, traditional options include stews, corned beef with cabbage, or shepherd’s pie. But there are many other delicious recipes out there! If you have kids and would like to get them involved in the kitchen, baking soda bread is a great idea. And don’t forget dessert! After all, what better excuse is there to bake a rainbow cake?

Have a singsong. The Irish love nothing more than a good sing-a-long session. So put on some classic Irish tunes and sing your heart out, or make an attempt at learning some traditional Irish dancing. You’re at home, so nobody can see you! Alternatively, make a playlist of Irish bands, from U2 to the Cranberries and beyond.

Get into Irish cinema. Irish film is having something of a renaissance right now, and there are many wonderful movies coming out of the Emerald Isle. This is the perfect time to check them out. Take your pick from this list of great Irish movies. Or join Irish Film London’s online St. Patrick’s Film Festival, which includes feature-length and short films, as well as talks and special events.

Attend a virtual parade. With so many live parades being canceled this year, a number of organizations around the world are planning virtual parades. It may not be quite as good as the real thing, but it’s still sure to be a treat to watch as a family!

Here’s wishing you a St. Patrick’s Day at home full of fun and good cheer – and a few shenanigans, of course!

xoxo,
Mindy