Dan's Papers - September 21, 2007

If you're looking for an excuse to throw a party, you're in luck, because September is the time of year to host a halfway to St. Patrick's Day celebration. Sure, it may be six months away, but a holiday as festive as St. Patrick's Day deserves commemoration at least twice a year.

When planning a halfway to St. Patrick's Day party, the theme should, of course, be green, green and more green. To get started, hang up green shamrocks, leprechauns and other Irish-inspired adornments on the walls. Blow up green balloons, hang green streamers, string green Christmas lights (or shamrock lights, if you can find them) along the ceiling and buy green tablecloths, silverware, napkins, cups and plates for guests to use. Fill a leprechaun's pot o' gold with candy wrapped in gold foil and find a large rock (or make one) to be your Blarney Stone for guests to kiss when they enter the party. Although they may be difficult to find in September, florists can dye flowers green to add a touch of beauty to your party. Complete the Irish ambiance by sprinkling shamrock confetti on all flat surfaces, hanging Irish flags and screwing in a few green light bulbs.

When it comes to attire, request that your guests wear green, but also hand out "Kiss Me I'm Irish" buttons, leprechaun hats, shamrock stickers and other accessories suitable for St. Patrick's Day. Spice up your outfit with a green boa or glowing green jewelry - all which can be found on the Internet out of season.

As for the music, find a CD with traditional Irish tunes or Celtic music. This may seem like a small aspect, but it will set the tone for the party. Also include songs by Ireland-born bands such as U2 and The Cranberries.

For the over-21 halfway to St. Patrick's Day party, alcohol is an important part of a halfway to St. Patrick's Day party, as true Irishmen/women greatly appreciate free flowing beer. Dark, Irish beer is appropriate such as Guinness and light beers can be dyed green with food coloring. Bailey's Irish Cream and whiskey are other alcohols that should be served and can be used in a variety of drink recipes. Green Kool-Aid or clear sodas mixed with food dye are great choices for the designated drivers.

In keeping with the theme, offer your guests an array of green or St. Patrick's Day inspired foods such as guacamole with chips, mint ice cream, green Jell-O, green M&Ms, lucky charms and remember, green food coloring can make just about any dessert - cookies, cake, etc.- the perfect treat for a halfway to St. Patrick's Day party. Mashed potatoes can also be tinted to the perfect shade of green with just a few drops of dye. It is also important to offer authentic Irish cuisine and drinks at your party such as Irish soda bread, corned beef and cabbage, Irish cheese and Irish whiskey. Below is an easy recipe for Irish Coffee:

1 cup hot coffee
1 oz. Irish whiskey
3 sugar cubes
Whipped cream

Heat whiskey to a high temperature
Pour coffee into a cup
Add three sugar cubes
Pour hot whiskey over an upside down spoon into the glass so it flows gently into the coffee
Add whipped cream
When served, true Irish Coffee has three distinct layers. After serving, stir all ingredients together.

Cheers to an Irish drinking toast before drinking (For example: May your glass be ever full. May the roof over your head be always strong. And may you be in heaven half an hour before the devil knows you're dead.)

- Janine Cheviot