It’s that time of year again, where the luck of the Irish, the shamrocks, and the celebrations commence for St. Patrick’s Day. While the celebrations might look a bit different, there are lots of ways to keep the St. Patrick’s Day traditions alive. Here’s how you can celebrate.

Eat

No celebration is complete without some festive foods. This delicious Green Mac & Cheese will be a hit in your house and even trick the little ones into eating their veggies. Thanks to Weelicious for the inspo! 

1. Green Mac & Cheese

Ingredients:

  • 1 pound of elbow macaroni
  • 3 cups of whole milk 
  • 1 cup of fresh spinach
  • 3 tbsp of unsalted butter 
  • 3 tbsp of flour
  • 4 cups of grated white cheddar cheese 
  • 1 tsp of kosher salt 
  • 2 cups of chopped broccoli florets 
  • 1 cup of peas 
Directions:
  1. Preheat oven to 350° F
  2. Cook pasta in salted water for about three minutes less than the package instructions. Reserve half a cup of pasta water and strain. 
  3. While the pasta is cooking, place the milk and spinach in a blender and blend on high speed until smooth. 
  4. In a large pot melt the butter and then add the flour, whisking continuously over low-medium heat for 2-3 minutes. Slowly whisk in the milk mixture and bring to a boil.
  5. Reduce heat and simmer, whisking occasionally, 3 to 4 minutes, or until sauce is gently bubbling and starting to thicken.
  6. Add reserved pasta water and cheese and whisk until melted. Stir in the pasta, salt, broccoli and peas.
  7. Transfer to a greased 13″ x 9″ baking dish and bake for 20 minutes, or until cheese is bubbling and the pasta is set.

2. Shamrock Bark

It’s hard to top that delicious main course, but if you make this Shamrock Bark, you’ll be able to do just that. This stuff is delicious! Thank you to Passion for Savings for the idea!

Ingredients:

  • 1 bag of green candy melts*  
  • 8 oz. of white chocolate 
  • 1 cup of green M&M’s

*If you don’t have green candy melts you can use white chocolate and green food coloring.

Directions:
  1. Using separate bowls, melt the candy melts and the white chocolate in the microwave. Start with 15 seconds and mix, Repeat until smoothly melted. 
  2. On a piece of wax paper, pour out the melted green candy melt and spread it out until it’s about ⅛ inch  thick. 
  3. Add the white chocolate and use a toothpick or tip of a knife to swirl the white and green chocolate together.
  4. Top with green M&Ms and any other green toppings you desire. 
  5. Allow the candy to cool, and then break it apart into smaller pieces and store in an airtight container. 

Drink 

This St. Patrick’s Day, skip the green beer and honor the Irish with these fantastically festive drinks, which can be made for adults or child-friendly. 

1. Luck Leprechaun Punch

Ingredients:

  • 1 bunch of fresh mint, stems removed plus more for garnish
  • 2 packages of Kool-Aid Lemon-Lime flavor unsweetened drink mix
  • 8 cups of pineapple juice, chilled 
  • 2 L of carbonated lemon-lime soda, chilled
  • 2 lemons, sliced
  • 3 limes, sliced 
  • 1 box of Lucky Charms 
  • Honey, for rim
  • Optional: 1 bottle of white rum 
Directions:
  1. Rim glasses: Place Lucky Charms marshmallows in a sealable bag and crush into small pieces. Pour onto a plate and set aside. Dip glass in honey and then in crushed marshmallows.
  2. Mix mint with Kool-Aid in a pitcher. 
  3. Add pineapple juice and stir until the mix is dissolved.
  4. Stir in the soda and fruit just before serving. If you are adding the optional Rum, add it now.
  5. To serve, pour punch into the rimmed glass, add a few extra slices of citrus, and a sprig of mint.

2. Shamrock Sour

Ingredients:

  • 2 tbsp lime juice 
  • ½ tbsp lemon juice
  • ¼ cup simple syrup* 
  • 1 tiny drop of green food coloring 
  • Lime wedges for garnish 
  • Optional: 2 oz of Irish Whiskey**
  • Optional: lemon-lime soda or carbonated water** 

*You can substitute simple syrup with maple syrup, agave syrup, or honey.

**If you are choosing to make a cocktail, use the Whiskey. For a mocktail, use lemon-lime soda or carbonated water instead. 

Directions:

  1. Combine ingredients in a shaker and shake well. Strain over Ice. Garnish with lime wedge.

Crafts 

No celebration is complete without some crafts to help pump up that spirit meter! Check out these simple and fun crafts you can make with your kids. Thanks to Crafty Morning and Three Little Ferns for the ideas! 

1. Four Leaf Clover Suncatcher 

Materials:

Directions:
  1. Print out this clover template.
  2. Cut up the tissue paper into small rectangular pieces. 
  3. Lay a sheet of wax paper on a flat surface.
  4. Combine 2 parts white glue to 1 part water. Mix together and pour some paste onto a portion of the wax paper. Spread the paste into a thin layer using a paintbrush. 
  5. Start laying the tissue paper onto the sections of paste, brushing paste over the pieces, smoothing them around the edges. Continue adding tissue paper until it almost covers the entire wax paper. Allow the collage to dry completely. 
  6. Once dry you have two options: You can carefully peel off the wax paper to create a more translucent sun catcher or you can leave the wax paper on and catch less light. 
  7. Cut the collage into the shape of a clover using the clover template. 
  8. Use double-sided tape to stick the suncatcher to the window and start catching some sun! 

2. End of the Rainbow Paper Plates 

Materials: 

  • Paper plate
  • Paint (colors of the rainbow)
  • Black and yellow paper 
  • Scissors
  • Glue 
  • Paint brush 
Directions:
  1. Paint rainbow stripes on a paper plate. Let it dry and paint on the back as well. Pro tip: Blow dryers are great if you are impatient! 
  2.  Start cutting from the outside of the plate to the middle to form spirals.
  3. Use the black construction paper to cut out a black pot of gold and glue it to the end of the plate.
  4. Use the yellow construction paper to make the gold circles and glue them to the pot. You can add sparkles too! 
  5. Poke a hole in the middle of the plate and add a string to hang it up.

Eat, drink, and craft this St. Patrick’s day and enjoy some shamrocks and shenanigans for all! Don’t forget to download the Flipp app to find the best deals on all your ingredients and crafting needs!

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