If you plan to indulge in a prolonged #pub crawl or toast on St. Patrick’s Day, do so wisely: Start with a meal that’s rich in carbs and protein, Bon Appetit says. For example, a corned beef hash or a classic #Irish breakfast with, sausage, eggs, beans and tea will protect a sensitive stomach and slow the absorption of alcohol. Take a multivitamin to head off nutrient depletion, and match any Guinesses consumed ounce-for-ounce with still water to maintain hydration. Don’t be afraid to fuel up with snacks as the day wears on, or just bow out when you know you’ve had enough — and never mix drinking and driving. Slainte! #StPatricksDay
Tag: holiday tips
Find Some Green Garb for St. Patrick’s Day
Planning to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day and short on green gear? Make tracks to a local thrift store that’s supplied by your generous donations to ClothingDonations.org. There, you’ll find all manner of Kelly-green garb, and if you shop early, seasonal decorations that suggest Irishness such as artificial shamrock garlands. Any day is a good day to #donate, of course; lightly used clothing, small appliances and other household goods of all colors and sizes are welcomed throughout the year as part of a free #donation #pickup. #Donations are tax-deductible, too, so schedule yours today! #StPatricksDay
Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day Over the Centuries
The Feast of St. Patrick has been celebrated on March 17 since the ninth or 10th century, according to History.com, in recognition of the patron saint who brought Christianity to the Erin Isle and — legend has it — rid it of snakes. The first St. Patrick’s Day parade was held in what is now Florida (!) in 1601. Only recently has it grown into an excuse to #celebrate all things #Irish with a pint of Guiness or green beer, however; it remained a religious holiday in its home country until the 1970s. Today, huge parades are held annually in New York City, Boston, Chicago, Philadelphia, Savannah, Ga., and many other locations worldwide. #StPatricksDay
Be Thankful, Get Organized
The holidays are rapidly approaching. And while you may have thought you’d have “everything” done ahead of time, the stark reality is that a few things may have escaped your attention until now.
It’s rare for a person to have every single thing completed by the internal deadlines they themselves have created. Be #thankful if you were able to get the jump on a couple of things on your to-do list already.
As for the responsibilities that loom in the weeks ahead, now’s a fine time to get started. You have nine days left to prepare for #Thanksgiving — more than enough time to plan a lavish celebration.
Start by planning the feast itself, Me in Order says. List everything you plan to make and anything that you’ll ask guests to bring or buy ready-made. Then, go and buy the the ingredients while the stores still have them.
Early rumors of supply chain shortages of turkeys and other Thanksgiving staples appear to have been overblown. But even if something is missing from your list, you still have time to get creative and suffuse your feast with decadent seasonal alternatives.
You may also wish to do a quick kitchen #cleanup and #decluttering to #streamline next week’s heavy usage. Locate the specialized tools you’ll need (such as that potato-masher) and keep them within easy reach.
The table and home are another question. If you’re the host, you may wish to do a day’s worth of cleaning and decorating. If you happen to find items that you no longer need or want as you #organize, you can #donate them to ClothingDonations.org.
#Donating lightly used clothing and household items to ClothingDonations.org is one of the easiest ways to #givethanks to #veterans, since the proceeds from the resale of those goods go directly toward veteran health care, housing and other support programs.
This year, be #thankful for the bounty that you do have and the ability to again gather in person relatively risk-free. Share that bounty with your family, friends and fellows throughout the holiday season.
How to Dispose of a Tattered Flag
Historic U.S. flags such as the pre-1959 48-star flag can be displayed on Flag Day and other national holidays as long as they are in good condition. If you are in possession of a frayed or tattered flag, however, destroy it in the manner called “preferable” by the U.S. Flag Code: burning. Local chapters of the Vietnam Veterans of America may be able to assist with flag disposal; many collect damaged flags year-round and burn them en masse at an annual observance.