St. Patrick’s Day – Leprechaun Style!Tracey WinikoffTop o’ the Morning to You!With St. Patrick’s Day around the corner, what comes to mind when you think of this lively holiday? Pubs? A pint of beer? Wearing a bit of green to avoid a pinch? And, of course, the beloved corned beef and cabbage.Well, how about stirring the pot with a little mischief and a whole lot of family fun? Get ready to turn your kids’ special day upside down with some good old-fashioned hijinks. Just a hunch–you might have more fun than your little ones. But don’t worry. We’ll never tell.The best part? You may already have most everything you need around the house or in those craft or décor tubs tucked away in storage. Let’s take a look, shall we?A few days ahead of this marvelously mischievous holiday, gather the family to build a leprechaun trap (there are loads of ideas on Google; for a fun how-to, check out http://www.craftingafunlife.com). Harness those creative superpowers and give it a go. Although, folklore says that nobody has yet been successful in catching these wee, lightning-fast creatures. But beware–leprechauns will only visit families the night before St. Patrick’s Day if everyone is sleeping. So, who’s ready for some light-hearted shenanigans? On the eve before the big day, once the kids are fast asleep, turn some chairs on their sides and move a few noticeable things out of place. The wackier, the better.In the early hours the next morning, before the children wake up, grab green food coloring. Place a few drops in the toilet (you’re just gonna have to trust this one–the kids will love it!) as well as a few of these emerald drops in their milk and pancake batter or eggs (thank you, Dr. Seuss!). Toss a few gold foil-wrapped chocolate coins around their breakfast plates along with a note from the leprechauns–address the notes to the kids, giving them an Irish name such as Mr. Harry O’Berry or Miss Molly O’Holly. Have some fun with it. It won’t take much to create an unforgettable celebration the kids will love and talk about for years to come. And just maybe, your quest for that pot o’ gold will lead to an even greater treasure … magical memories, leprechaun-inspired, of course!
