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Can’t Think of St. Patrick’s Day Party Ideas? We’ve Got a Ton for Ya

st patricks day party ideas
20 Non-Boring St. Patrick’s Day Party IdeasGetty Images


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Hot take:St. Patrick’s Day is a very underrated holiday. March sucks (winter, can you GTFO already?) and St. Patty’s is just about the only good thing that happens all month. Unless you’re lucky enough to still get a spring break. In which case, can I come?

What makes March 17th so great? It’s an excuse to wear a super extra outfit (all green, obviously), skip work on a Friday (this year), and consume an impressive amount of Lucky Charms. Need I say more?

Now that you’re fully convinced that St. Patrick’s day is great, you should totally get on the bandwagon and celebrate it with me. How do you celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, you ask? With a party, le duh.

It’s okay if the last time you celebrated the Irish holiday was in the fourth grade, I forgive you. You’re just gonna have to make up for it by going all out this year, safely, with your vaccinated friends. And if you're planning to hit the bars, make sure to have your mask handy!

But before you start furiously Googling What do you serve at a St. Patrick’s Day party? and How do you dress for a St. Patrick’s day party?, let me help you out. And no, you can’t just cover your apartment in shamrocks and call it a day. We’re talking green food, festive décor, strong drinks, and on-theme drinking games. Here, actually fun and original St. Patrick’s Day party tips and ideas for your soon-to-be-legendary bash.

Start the day with some green silver dollar pancakes.

pancakes
Hearst Owned

Your St. Patrick's Day spirit and celebrations should start from the morning and what better way to do so than cooking up some Green Velvet Silver Dollar pancakes? (Topped with some Lucky Charms of course!)

Recipie

  • 1 c. plain or buttermilk pancake mix

  • 1 large egg

  • 3/4 c. milk

  • 3 tbsp. butter

  • 1 tbsp. granulated sugar

  • green food coloring

Topping

  • 4 tbsp. cream cheese

  • 3 tbsp. confectioners' sugar

  • 2 tbsp. milk

  • 1 c. Lucky Charms (cereal and marshmallow bits)

View the full recipe at Delish

Give out cute lil clover flowers.

<p><a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=74968X1596630&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.uncommongoods.com%2Fproduct%2Fthoughtful-terracotta-grow-kits&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cosmopolitan.com%2Flifestyle%2Fa30856433%2Fst-patricks-day-party-ideas%2F" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Shop Now;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Shop Now</a></p><p>Thoughtful Terracotta Grow Kits</p><p>$13.00</p><p>uncommongoods.com</p><span class="copyright">Uncommon Goods</span>

Nothing says St. Patty's spirit quite like some lucky clovers. Hand out these adorable plant bbs to your friends in honor of the holiday. A party favor that's pretty and functional? Say less.

Cook a traditional Irish dinner.

<p><a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=74968X1596630&url=https%3A%2F%2Ffromourplace.com%2Fproducts%2Falways-essential-cooking-pan%3Fvariant%3D32876763119691&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cosmopolitan.com%2Flifestyle%2Fa30856433%2Fst-patricks-day-party-ideas%2F" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Shop Now;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Shop Now</a></p><p>Always Pan</p><p>$99.00</p><p>fromourplace.com</p><span class="copyright">Our Place</span>

Whip up some corned beef, an Irish stew, or potato soup for your pals if you wanna indulge in some classic dishes. BTW: You're gonna need some quality cookware to accomplish these recipes. Snag the Always Pan from Our Place that can braise, sear, steam, strain, sauté, fry, and boil.

Do some ~on-theme~ baking.

<p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B075Q991LP?tag=syn-yahoo-20&ascsubtag=%5Bartid%7C10049.a.30856433%5Bsrc%7Cyahoo-us" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Shop Now;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Shop Now</a></p><p>Nonstick Bakeware Set </p><p>$49.99</p><p>amazon.com</p><span class="copyright">Amazon</span>

You can never go wrong with a baking party. Make some shamrock cookies or a beautiful green cake. Whatever y'all agree on, you're def gonna need some good bakeware to accomplish your sweet treats. I recommend this set that's affordable, pretty, and will get to you fast (s/o Amazon Prime) if you need it ASAP.

Serve Jameson Jello shots.

Green, Drink, Alcoholic beverage, Liqueur, Distilled beverage, Alcohol, Bottle, Beer cocktail, Beer,
supercall.com

What’s a St. Patty’s day party without Irish whiskey Jello shots? A boring one, that's what. I found you this recipe, you’re welcome:

  • ¾ cup boiling water

  • 1 packet unflavored gelatin

  • ¼ cup sugar

  • ½ cup Jameson Irish Whiskey

  • ¼ cup lime juice

  • Green food coloring

Dissolve gelatin and sugar in boiling water. Add Jameson and lime juice, whisk to combine. Add green food coloring to your desired shade. Pour into plastic shot glasses and refrigerate for at least two hours.

Recipe from Supercall

Hang up some fun decor.

<p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B083M48QGC?tag=syn-yahoo-20&ascsubtag=%5Bartid%7C10049.a.30856433%5Bsrc%7Cyahoo-us" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Shop Now;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Shop Now</a></p><p>Burlap Banner</p><p>$9.99</p><p>amazon.com</p><span class="copyright">Amazon</span>

Shop Now

Burlap Banner

$9.99

amazon.com

Amazon

Throw this bad boy on your wall and *boom* you've got an aesthetically pleasing vibe in seconds. They make a pretty killer Insta backdrop too, just sayin’.

Set a dress code.

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Have your guests come in themed ensembles. This sweater is sooo stylish you'll def win Best Dressed if there's a contest! Oh, and bonus points if they show up with shamrock accessories too.

Hit up a parade (safely).

clover head decoration on head of girl close up saint patrick day, parade in the city, selectriv focus
Svetlanais - Getty Images

Most cities have a St. Patrick’s day parade (at least the fun ones do). So stage your party like a pregame, then head out to the street to really celebrate with some green beer.

Slap a bag or two...

<p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07CMGL95S?tag=syn-yahoo-20&ascsubtag=%5Bartid%7C10049.a.30856433%5Bsrc%7Cyahoo-us" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Shop Now;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Shop Now</a></p><p>Lucky Charms, Marshmallow Cereal with Unicorns</p><p>$4.99</p><p>amazon.com</p>

Shop Now

Lucky Charms, Marshmallow Cereal with Unicorns

$4.99

amazon.com

Get a box of Lucky Charms, eat said box of Lucky Charms, then cut a hole in the bottom just big enough to stick the spout from a bag of Franzia through. Place the bag inside the box, stick the spout through and now you have to slap the bag, St. Patrick’s day edition.

Brew up some green beer.

Green, Drink, Food, Pint glass, Cup, Highball glass, Juice, Glass, Vegetable juice, Drinkware,
delish.com

Yeah, it’s exactly what it sounds like. Pick a light-colored beer, add some green food coloring and stir. So. Damn. Easy.

Recipe from Delish

Host a beer pong tournament.

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You're not celebrating this holiday right if you're not partying it up! Pro tip: Use the green beer you just made for the game.

Whip up some Leprechaun bars.

Food, Green, Dish, Cuisine, Ingredient, Leaf vegetable, Produce, Broccoli, Recipe, Cruciferous vegetables,
food.com

Rice Krispies Treats, but make ‘em festive. If you wanna get really fancy, you can even cut them into shamrock shapes using a cookie cutter.

  • 6 cups Rice Krispies

  • ¼ cup margarine

  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

  • 1 teaspoon green food coloring

  • 1 package mini marshmallows

Line a 13x9x2 pan with foil and lightly spray with cooking spray. Melt margarine in a large pot on low heat. Add marshmallows and stir until melted. Remove from heat. Add vanilla extract and food coloring and stir until smooth. Add cereal to the melted mixture and stir until well coated. Press into the pan with a buttered spatula. Set aside and cool. Cut into bars or shamrock shapes, if you're feeling extra fahncy.

Recipe from Food.com

Hand out shamrock shots.

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Shop Now

St. Patrick's Day Shot Glasses

18.99

amazon.com

Yes, these are incredibly cheesy, but can you name a more on-brand St. Patrick’s Day party favor? I’ll wait...

Play a festive game.

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Bingo, but make a St. Patty's version! If you really wanna have a ball with this game, save it for when you’re all feeling a little tipsy. Memories will be made, that's for sure.

Host a movie marathon.

movie
Netflix

Streaming movies that surround Irish heritage can surely put you in the spirit for the holiday. Check out some of our fave movie options below:

Take an Irish step dancing class.

Grab some friends and take what will probably be the hardest, yet beautiful type of dancing there is. Also, this is just a great way to check cardio off your to-do list for the day.

Plan a scavenger hut.

Now we can't just sit around eating and drinking all day can we? (I mean, maybe?). Give out this Pre-made St. Patrick's Day scavenger hunt to send your friends on a crazy mission to win a prize.

Make an Irish playlist.

the cranberries
Getty Images

A well put together music playlist will be the hit of your party. check out some other Irish bands:

Hide gold coins throughout the party.

Hiding chocolate gold coins throughout the party might just be the greatest surprise you can give your guests. Because who doesn't love chocolate, amirite?

Create the sweetest pot of gold.

As a little memory of the banger party you threw, have your guests create their own pot of gold before they leave. All you need is the following:

  • Mini glass jar with lid

  • Printable rainbow

  • Caramel

  • Pretzels for dipping

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