Go Green!

St. Patrick's Day was established as a way to recognize Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. Originally a religious holiday, it is now practiced on March 17th by many people throughout the world with food, drink and all things green.

[edit] Steps

Know the history of St. Patrick's Day. Though history saw celebrations of feasts in his honor, St. Patrick's Day was not officially recognized until 1976. Saint Patrick has been credited with bringing Christianity to Ireland.
Celebrate in professional style

Go green. You don't have to wear a sweater with a giant three or four-leaf clover (though that would certainly help you stand out).

The great thing about this holiday is you are free to go as subtle or as wild as you like. T-shirts have been a common article of clothing to wear proudly.

Consider the following suggestions when picking out something to wear: (see related warnings regarding what to wear)
- An all green t-shirt
- Funny St. Patrick's Day-related sayings (e.g. "Kiss me, I'm Irish!")
- A t-shirt screen-printed with Irish beer monikers such as Harp or Guinness
- Green-striped polo or collared shirt (for you professionals out there)
- Leprechaun costume or your own creation for those who are feeling particularly festive
- It is tradition in Ireland for all adenting parades and generally celebrating to wear a small collection of Shamrock fastened by a clothes pin to your top (in the same place as a badge would be worn)
Accessorize. Buttons, pins and jewelry are all great ways to dress up an outfit. On St. Patrick's Day, they become ways to express the fun side of fashion. Nothing is too gaudy or outlandish. Buttons with clever (or not so clever) sayings are also encouraged. Small shamrock pins are a great and subtle way to express your support of the holiday. Dying your hair or your pets' fur bright green is also a great way to stand out.
Eat traditional Irish food. Beer and spirits are not the only great "foods" to come out of Ireland. Corned beef (corned beef is not a traditional Irish meal, that tradition started in NYC), cabbage and lamb stew are tasty ways to "keep it real."
Play Music. Ireland has a long history with music, and many incredible styles have emerged. Celtic, folk and traditional Irish pub songs might just get you in the St. Patrick's Day spirit!
Parades are fun!

Attend local parades. If you can't make it to the five day festival in Dublin, Ireland, check out the scene locally. Though small towns aren't likely to have parades, many large cities such as New York City, Boston, St. Louis, San Francisco, Chicago, London and Sydney have great celebrations. Savannah, GA boasts the 2nd largest parade in the U.S.
Listen to the radio. Popular radio stations will often be announcing their involvement in parties around your city to drum up buzz. If you haven't heard anything, call up the local stations and ask if they've heard any St. Patrick's Day news.
Check out the bar scene. Most bars and pubs love St. Patrick's Day. One of the few holidays that are marked for an increase in alcohol consumption, many will be catering to patrons. You may find special prices on draft beer, food and cover charges. Call around to your favorite joints and ask if they have any celebration plans.
Celebrate with friends!

Consider staying at home. If you aren't a fan of the bar scene but still want to celebrate, invite a few friends over and have a St. Patrick's Day themed party. Go as extreme or as laid back as you want: insist that everyone wear green or just have them come as they are and chill out with a few beers. Consider starting a tradition, such as watching a movie - "The Quiet Man" with John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara is a fun choice; serve corned beef and cabbage or Irish stew with colcannon (mashed potatoes and cabbage).
Be respectful. Because St. Patrick's Day has become a secularly practiced holiday, there may be people who feel offended by your green enthusiasm. This is why it is important that you understand why the holiday exists. Explain that you appreciate the early traditions of the holiday and that you aren't intending to dishonor those traditions - you are just trying to have fun.

[edit] Tips

Invite your friends over for an impromptu party to celebrate. You do not need to have a planned party to have a great St. Patrick's Day celebration.
Some people celebrate this day by pinching people who are not wearing green.

[edit] Warnings

No Irish person celbrating St.Patrick's day in Ireland would ever dream of wearing any item of clothing with funny St. Patrick's Day-related sayings (e.g. "Kiss me, I'm Irish!") they're just tacky to them. All the above suggestions as to what to wear are consider to be tacky to most native-Irish people, and is seen as something only Americans generally take part in.
Be responsible. Whether you are going out to a bar or over to a friend's, drinking and driving is not acceptable. Select a designated driver in advance who will not drink and will be sure you get home safely. Celebrations are supposed to be happy events, and finding yourself in a drunk tank or in hand cuffs will not be a happy experience.
Drive with caution. Though you are sober, it is possible that there others who are not being so responsible.
Forgetting to wear green may make you the unfortunate recipient of a painful pinch.