EAST COAST MOMMY

Simple food, décor, DIYs and activities By the time March rolls around, I’m sick of snow, cold and grey skies. As a result, I embrace St. Patrick’s Day as the perfect opportunity to celebrate with glitter, gold and rainbows. You don’t need to be Irish to plan a family-friendly St. Patrick’s Day celebration with simple food, décor, DIYs and activities.

When it comes to food, it isn’t necessary to get fancy. Traditional Irish faire, such as soda bread and stew, is perfect, but anything green- or rainbow-coloured fits with a St. Patrick’s Day theme. In our home, I always serve a buffet of green food, including green pancakes and green milk with rainbow straws. To make a rainbow straw, thread a straw through the centre of colourful Froot Loop cereal. A green candy charcuterie board, Lucky Charms, shamrockshaped cookies, and cupcakes with green icing and rainbow sprinkles are fun options too.

When it comes to décor, the dollar store has fantastic finds, but for a more high-end look, why not get a little crafty? A tiered tray can be the perfect way to add a little St. Patrick’s Day décor to your home.

Fill the tray with cardboard shamrocks wrapped in green yarn, small jars or pots painted black and filled with chocolate gold coins, sock gnome leprechauns, wood bead garlands, book stacks, and/or containers of rainbow-coloured candies.

You can also make DIY custom wreaths or artwork. I designed a print using Picmonkey.com and popped it in a dollar store frame. I just wrote different St. Patrick’s Day words in different colours and fonts and added some clipart. It doesn’t get easier and more inexpensive than that.

A front door wreath is always a must have piece of holiday décor. Pinterest has

“May your troubles be less, your blessings be more, and nothing but happiness come through your door.” -

Irish blessing

Gina Bell is a mother of three and can be found online at www.eastcoastmommy.com.