St. Patrick’s Day is one of those holidays that seems to be brushed under the rug. I think a lot of people feel if you aren’t Irish, why celebrate it? It wasn’t until I had kids of my own that I really began to appreciate celebrating all holidays, especially the ones that don’t involve me stressing over buying them gifts.
When we celebrated our first St. Patrick’s Day, I was shocked to find out that my childhood tradition of building leprechaun traps wasn’t something everyone participated in as a kid, including my husband. He had no idea what I was talking about and even more confused as to why.
But there’s something about the leprechaun and the thrill of catching him that makes this holiday tradition so special.
According to Irish folklore, a leprechaun is often a tiny bearded man, wearing a coat and hat, that partakes in mischief. They are also known to gather gold coins and hide them in a pot at the end of a rainbow. If you are lucky enough to catch a leprechaun, it is said that he will grant you three wishes for his release.
So every year, on the night before St. Patrick’s Day, we strategize on how to build a bigger and better trap. The kids go to bed anticipating that this will finally be THE year we succeed in capturing the mischievous character. But when they wake, they find evidence that the mysterious character they’ve only read about has once again managed to escape.
The more I talk to others about our St. Patrick’s Day traditions, the more people I’ve met that have no idea what I’m talking about. So I wanted to share our traditions with you in hopes of keeping the holiday magic alive.
The Infamous Leprechaun Trap
The leprechaun trap can be as easy or as difficult as you want it be. The easiest way is to just buy a leprechaun trap kit. These kits come with everything you need and only take about 15 minutes to put together.
The second option is to pick up a bunch of craft supplies from the dollar store. I usually grab cardboard tubes, cardboard boxes, popsicle sticks, construction paper, and plenty of green and gold decor.
We have done it both ways over the years. I love the convenience of buying a kit because the kids need very little help putting it together. But on the those years I didn’t have little babies around and thus, more time available to help the big kids, we have a blast constructing the next best trap. We spend a few hours brainstorming and then building.
Finally, after reading, “How to Catch a Leprechaun,” we set the trap and it’s off to bed. When the kids are away, the leprechaun comes to play!
Leprechaun Shenanigans
After destroying the trap while escaping, the leprechaun typically makes it evident that we failed to capture him. One year, he left shamrock stickers everywhere. Another year, he turned the toilet water green.
But every year, he turns the milk green, and makes sure to leave chocolate gold coins and skittles for the kids.
St. Patrick’s Day Feast
For breakfast, you have to enjoy some lucky charms, especially with the green milk! One year, we made edible rainbows using pipe cleaner, fruit loops, and mini powdered sugar donuts.
For dinner, we never skip the traditional corned beef and cabbage with potatoes. It is super simple using the instant pot, too.
For dessert, we make our own version of shamrock shakes to use up more of the green milk from the leprechaun and my daughter, Kenzie, makes her famous shamrock pretzel pops.
The Leprechaun Made Me Do It
I have to admit, St. Patrick’s Day is one of my favorite holidays. I hope your family joins in on such a wonderful and fun tradition! Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
