Make your prep for your next St. Patrick’s Day party easy by making D.I.Y. decorations and recipes. Photo by Pressmaster from Pexels
Are you hosting a St. Patrick’s Day party? Well, look no further! These homemade treats and D.I.Y. decorations will make your guests feel lucky in no time.
Decorations
There are countless ways to decorate for a St. Paddy’s Day party. Listed here are only a couple cute ways to spruce up your venue.
“Kiss me I’m Irish” kissing booth
This adorable photo prop will definitely make your party stand out from the rest. Start with a large, sturdy rectangular poster board or cardboard. Then cut out a square in the middle. Use markers, paint, stickers or whatever you’d like to decorate — this is your chance to get creative!
Hanging shamrocks
A shamrock garland is the perfect backdrop for photos. Begin by cutting several shamrock shapes out of green paper. You can print out a stencil to make this easier. Glue the shamrocks onto a piece of string as long as your wall. Repeat as many times as necessary for your desired effect.
Balloon clovers
Hang these clovers on walls, railings or wherever you feel needs some decor. Start with green heart-shaped balloons. Four balloons are needed for each clover. Simply inflate them and tie the four ends together with string.
Shamrock punch
Try this easy shamrock punch to get the party started. This bubbly drink is a definite crowd pleaser.
Ingredients:
1 carton lime sherbet
1 liter ginger ale
Scoop the sherbet into a punch bowl and pour the ginger ale over it. Allow it to slightly melt before serving in glasses.
Shamrock shake
If you’re a fan of McDonald’s shamrock shake, be sure to check out this recipe. Refreshing milkshakes are another delicious drink guests are certain to love.
Shamrock shake via madetobeamomma.com
Ingredients:
1 pint vanilla ice cream
½ cup half-and-half
5 drops mint extract
5 drops green food coloring
Whipped cream
Maraschino cherries
In a blender, add ice cream, half-and-half, mint extract and food coloring. Blend for one minute. Pour into glasses. Finish it with whipped cream and a cherry.
Mint chocolate chip cookies
These scrumptious mint chocolate chip cookies are sure to be a hit. You’ll have your guests green with envy wondering how you made this eye catching dessert.
Ingredients:
¾ cup unsalted butter at room temperature
1 ¼ cups sugar
2 eggs
2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp peppermint extract
1 tsp baking soda
½ tsp baking powder
½ tsp kosher salt
20 drops green food coloring
1 cup chopped Andes candy
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Mix the butter and sugar in a stand mixer on medium speed for two minutes. Add two eggs and peppermint extract. Mix together until fully combined. In a large bowl, combine flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Whisk these ingredients together. Funnel the flour mix into the wet mix on low speed. When the mixture reaches a doughy consistency, add 20 drops of green food coloring. Next add Andes mint candies and semisweet chocolate chips. Fold them into the dough. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Use an ice cream scooper to get the same amount of dough every time. Let the cookies bake for 10 to 12 minutes.
Emily Pall is a campus correspondent for The Daily Campus. She can be reached via email at emily.pall@uconn.edu.
