How to Throw a Great St. Patrick's Day Party at Home

While many people choose to hit the bars to celebrate St. Patrick's Day, many underestimate how fun a stay-at-home Irish theme party can be. Not only will both you and your guests save money, but a personal get-together can end up being even more exciting than a crowded pub or tavern. Here are some tips and tricks to make an at-home St. Patty's Day celebration the best it can be.

Drinks

My personal advice for a St. Patty's Day party is to avoid green beer at all costs. Not only is it expensive to buy for personal use, but it's inauthentic and all around tacky (FYI - green beer is never ever consumed in Ireland!). Instead, try authentic Irish beers like Guinness and Carlsberg. Or, if you're in the market for something a little bit stronger, try a Black Velvet: fifty percent champagne and fifty percent Guinness beer is a silky smooth treat that goes down like a taste of heaven. Shots like Jameson Whiskey and Irish Car Bombs are sure to get the party started, just be sure that guests are consuming in moderation and not driving.

Food

Avoid Fritos and Doritos at all costs. Instead, stick with traditional Irish fair like corned beef and cabbage, or try a fun potato dish. For dessert, a shamrock shaped cake frosted green will be a fun surprise to bring out mid-shindig for your guests. For an added bonus, try adding peppermint to an angel's food cake. The combination of fresh mint and vanilla is absolutely heavenly, a sugary treat that your party-goers are sure to enjoy.

Decorations

Most party stores and even drugstores will offer up plenty of shamrock and leprechaun decorations for your party. While these are often adorable and appropriate, I much more prefer trying to create the vibe of a pub in Ireland in my own living room. Candles, old artwork, and vintage kitchen pieces such as jello tins and old fashioned beer steins will create this look and feel. Most important to creating the mood of an Irish pub, is, of course, the music.

Music

For a St. Patrick's Day Party that everybody will love, combine the best of Ireland from yesterday and today. Classical Irish tunes will create a festive and authentic mood, but modern hits from Irish bands such as The Coors and U2 will get people on the dance floor. Playing classics for the young, the old, and the young at heart will ensure that every guest is happy and truly feels the spirit of the Holiday.