What started out as a feast day commemorating the patron saint of Ireland, St Patrick, is now seen as an excuse by many to get drunk. You may find it hard to believe but St Patrick's Day (March 17) was once a day when people abstained from drinking alcohol because pubs were closed to observe the religious holiday. Today it's believed that around $245 million is spent on beer and more than 13 million pints of Guinness are drunk. This year alone, Americans are expected to spend close to $4.4 billion on the celebration, according to the National Retail Federation. Ireland has the world's highest percentage of native-born people living abroad so this, and the fact that 30 countries organise St Patrick's Day parades, explains why millions around the world celebrate the festival every year.
For those of you who want to have a sober saint Patrick's Day or at the very least acknowledge the true meaning of today, these activities and ideas will help to inspire you.
Have a Traditional Irish Meal
Instead of sitting down to eat your usual dinner, why not opt for a feast with an Irish flavour? A slow cooked Irish stew will be the go-to dish for many hoping to infuse a little bit of Ireland into their meals tonight. If you're short on time you can opt for the Irish-inspired corned beef and cabbage or any number of popular Irish recipes.
Make Some Shamrock Shaped Goodies
It's believed that St Patrick used the three leaves of the shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity to the Irish when he was spreading the news of Christianity to the country's pagan community. You can make shamrock shaped biscuits or cupcakes with shamrock decorations to mark the day. Both are a easy and fun to make and they're a great way to follow up a hearty Irish meal. Kids of any age will love making and eating these too.
Wear Something Green
Although blue was the colour that was originally associated with St Patrick, green is the one which has been connected to him and Ireland since the 17th Century. Inject a little green into your wardrobe today or go head-to-toe if you're feeling particularly confident.
Attend a St Patrick's Day Parade
London's parade was last weekend but there's still time to head on down to those taking place in Dublin, Belfast and New York if you're in any of those cities. The parades in Dublin and Belfast both kick off at 12pm and New York's starts at 11am. Parades are great fun for the whole family to enjoy and will give you the chance to celebrate some traditional Irish culture.
Organise a Sober St Patrick's Day Event
In response to the extreme drunkenness of this feast day, William Spencer Reilly, a theatre and television producer, created the Sober St Patrick's Day organisation in a bid to reclaim the "true spirit of the day" and honour Irish heritage. This year's New York event is sold out but there are others taking place in different cities. Can't attend? You can get some friends and family members together and have your own sober St Patrick's celebration instead.
Say a St Patrick Inspired Prayer
The leader of the Catholic church in Ireland, Archbishop Eamon Martin, has used today to ask for prayers for displaced families and refugees. You could respond to his request by saying a special prayer for migrants, and this prayer about Ireland's patron saint is another way to make sure you put the saint back in your St Patrick's Day.
God our Father,
you sent Saint Patrick to preach your glory to the people of Ireland.
By the help of his prayers,
may all Christians proclaim your love to all men.
Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
