If you’re having friends/family over this weekend or on Monday to celebrate St. Patrick's Day and find that you’re crunched for time, here are some fast and fun ways to perk up your party plans.
A flash of flowers. The good news is that a green-and-white color scheme is a given. And any dining area will look great in a flash with fresh flowers. The staff at Edelweiss Flower Boutique in Santa Monica edelweissflower.com have been selling floral centerpieces featuring flowers that you might not immediately think of for St. Pat’s: hydrangea, viburnum (similar to hydrangea but smaller), freesia, ranunculus, roses, snapdragon and calla lilies.
They also report that button mums and spider mums as well as mint-green carnations are popular, especially among younger customers. Additionally, metallic accents can give a bouquet a fresh, fun twist.
View Teleflora's online offerings at teleflora.com/category.asp?rcid=92512.
Lucky cards. Shamrock plants are darling and not very expensive. A four-inch plant costs about $5. Just add paper labels and you’ve got living, breathing placecard holders that your guests can take home as party favors. Or if it’s buffet style, the labels can point out what kind of food is in each dish.
Little bursts of beauty. In addition to your floral centerpiece, ask your florist for some extra blooms so that you can perk up bathrooms, coffee tables and kitchen nooks with flowers. Don’t worry about vases – display them in teapots and cups, or beer mugs.
Sure-fire ice-breaker. Make mistletoe blarney. After all, kissing the stone is a tradition. Use green ribbon to suspend small stones from various doorways and archways. Make a few for various entryways. Anyone caught under the blarney stones must kiss. Time permitting, kids love making anything – stones, shamrocks, flowers – out of papier-mâché, then decorating with poster paint.
Easy eats. The menu could be as simple as spinach dip, corned-beef sandwiches, potato chips, shamrock cookies, and an assortment of cheese with soda bread. It’s actually pretty easy to make and can be made ahead of time. Note: If anyone tells you your bread works better as a blarney stone, make this person drink green beer!
Got a great idea? Send your favorite St. Pat's party tip to Flower Blog and I'll post it on Monday.
