The Caterist Files ~ When Irish Eyes Are Smiling!

Nope, I'm not Irish...not even the littlest bit...but the spirit of old Ireland, the folklore, faeries, leprechauns, and shenanigans...yep! I'm all about that!!! The month of March, to me, calls for a party reflective of the spirit of Saint Patrick's Day celebrations...and if it's too far from the actual date, I love the Irish Pub theme for any March dinner event or supper club!

It comes at the perfect time!! We're sick of dreary weather, soggy wet, cold dampness...well, I guess it really hasn't been too bad this Winter, so just humor me! We're ready for the new green of Spring, the promise for a new beginning, and this we shall celebrate! Let's roll up our sleeves and get ready!!

St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, was not Irish...nope!

He was captured by the Irish pagans in his early teens, and held captive and enslaved for 6 years. During that time, he grew to understand the Irish spirit, and vowed to return to Ireland, after his escape. After his studies and ordination as a Priest, he did just that and is credited with converting the country to Catholicisn within 3 years.

Where the green beer comes in is beyond me, but the three leaf clover is said to have been his way of explaining the Holy Trinity to the Pagans.

OK...enough historical background, we've got to get decorating!

Simple finds, simple treasures!

Dollar Store plastic serving ware in leprechaun green...cocktail napkins in festive decor and stick-on shamrocks to place on your ice tub for the beer!!!

You can place some shamrocks on your wine chilling tub, too!!!

Bring in both Irish beer...cannot omit the Guinness...and the popular domestics.

The favorite wines...chill your white or blush wines in a decorated bucket!

The guys, for certain, will want to have some Irish whiskey on hand, it's a great stand up for the mixed drink bar!

For a signature girly sort of mixed drink, how about The Irish Redhead? It's a sparkly, sweet drink with a pretty pink-ish color!

To make this one, use a good Irish whiskey, like Jamison...it really does make a difference. Smooth, mellow and velvety...

Mix 3 oz. Jamison Irish whiskey, 1 oz. of real Grenadine,

6 oz. Sprite, a squeeze of lemon and lime, each.

Mix and serve over ice with a garnish of cherry, and lime.

Watch your step...like the traditional redhead, it can pack a whollop!

On to our tables!!! I found several ideas to share! It's such an upbeat occasion, and I do love the green and white...but you could, just as well, do green over black, for a more dramatic appearance.

I love this approach by Home is Where the Boat Is...the green plaid and small accents definitely state 'St. Patrick's Day' without being overdone. If you'll look at the centerpieces, they have actually hollowed out cabbage to create vases for the floral arrangements! Isn't that unique!! The simple white dinnerware is offset by the lovely green woven charger/place mat, and the pale green napkins with the white napkin core is wrapped by a simple ceramic ring. Small prints of Irish vintage art are a nice touch. Simple green pottery filled with gold candy 'dubloons' and simple short vases with clovers and bows tie the scene together sweetly!

This approach with a festive green runner on a simple white tablecloth, with napkins matching the runner is a nice and simple effect. The centerpiece is a craft box with Irish sayings decoupaged onto it...just glue on and seal!! You could also print off Irish vintage artwork...too cute! It perfectly holds a small clover plant! A few white votives round out the simple tablescape, Irish Country Chic.

And this setting, shown on a wood dining table, would be perfect done over the long black tablecloths, the table runner being a simple burlap strip! The floral centerpiece is a nice effect, always keeping in mind the conversation flow, and keeping the flower height to where your guests can converse across the table, as well as with their immediate neighbors. The simple white soup bowl and dinner plate are accented by green ceramic salad plates, a nice touch!

Here's a cute napkin idea tha I came across! So simple, too!! They've used a silver buckle from the craft section and run black ribbom through it to give you the idea of the buckle on the leprechaun's hat...how sweet is that!!

This, too, is a cute approach. It uses simple beige cloth napkin, twine for the bow and a clover for the accent! If you want to go all out, these Celtic Napkin Rings, from

shopirish.com are just beautiful!

To make your tablesetting and barscapes simple, and affordable, I recommend using the house linens, the long black, or the white, and finding fabric remnants for your runners and maybe even your napkins, if you're feeling artistically inclined!

To create your own napkins, simply cut a 13" square and double fold the edges to create a nice edge, and either sew or use the handy iron on tape. Handle the table runner in the same fashion.

Minimal expense, minimal time, big impressum!

Photo Ops!!! Getting together with our friends is about making memories...and memories need pictures!! You can find shamrock danglers at Wally's Party Factory, and maybe even at the Dollar Tree. They make a great backdrop for those photo oportunities! Hang them about a half foot out from a plain wall, and it's the perfect St. Patrick's Day backdrop!

Props...we need props...HATS!!! Of course!! Perfect! You'll be able to find assorted hats at Wally's, as well...probably not quite like these, but you can add acoutrements on to the hats you find!

All in all, it's about the fun, the getting together, and the food! I've got our Food Selections all set up...just click on the rainbow...it'll carry you there! Hang on!!

#stpatricksday #Marchsupperclubs #StPatricksDaysupperclub