Fun ways to celebrate St. Patrick's Day

This year, celebrate the wearing of the green in ways that’ll get Irish eyes smiling. And since everybody is Irish on St. Patrick’s Day, you’ll make lots of folks happy by throwing Celtic celebrations done up in green, dressing in appropriately zany getups or passing some yummy snacks around. — Shannon McCarthy

Bing Shopping: St. Patrick’s Day party supplies

Get your party started with scads of goods in green, including shamrock-shaped appetizer picks, foil balloons, drink coasters, bottom-lit drinkware (to turn beer an appropriately jade shade), plus all manner of other decorative tableware to serve your St. Patrick’s Day feast.

Bing Shopping | St. Patrick’s Day cookies

This holiday isn’t all about drinking and dancing silly jigs – kids and non-imbibing adults still like their themed treats, so stock up on ready made (and scrumptious) goods to satisfy everyone’s sweet tooth. Green sugar sprinkles abound on “clover” cookies, but we also love the unexpected, like emerald-hued fortune cookies.

Bing Shopping | Shamrock bakeware

If you’d rather showcase yourown creations for the “eating of the green,” try cake pans, muffin tins, cookie cutters and silicone molds crafted in that iconic shamrock shape and perfect for St. Patrick’s Day. If you’re making a batch of cupcakes for the occasion, shamrock-decorated cups add the finishing touch.

Bing Shopping | St. Patrick’s Day party invitations

The middle of March is a particularly good time to throw a party, as the tail end of winter could obviously do with a little cheer. Whether you’re planning a bash that’s silly or sophisticated, kid-friendly or adults-only, there’s a perfect invitation style ready to bring friends flocking.

Bing Shopping | St. Patrick’s Day home decorations

Kit your castle out with all manner of St. Patrick’s Day finery, from the sublime to the ridiculous. Pre-lit green garlands add a touch of class, while gangs of leprechauns crowd tabletop and party hearty from ceiling-hung cascades. Inexpensive knickknacks and flourishes abound, so you can go big even on a budget.

Bing Shopping | St. Patrick’s Day costumes

Show a little pluck of the Irish and get fully done up in a St. Patrick’s Day costume this year. Variations on the theme include totally goofy leprechauns, sassy and sexy women’s costumes, and of course miniature costumes fit just for the kiddos – or even your Irish wolfhound.

Bing Shopping | Irish pride shirts

The easiest way to dress up for the holiday, a tee shirt will get your pride point across effortlessly. Now you just have to choose from thousands of designs, including the tricolor flag, the ever-popular shamrock, the even more popular (for obvious reasons) “kiss me I’m Irish” slogan, and myriad more St. Patty’s Day sentiments.

Bing Shopping | Irish knit sweaters

Snuggle against those chilly March gales in the gorgeous warmth of a chunky knit sweater. Since we’re talking all things Celtic, choose one along the lines of an Irish fisherman sweater, an Aran Islands creation or a toasty merino wool cardigan. The Irish know a thing or two about bundling up against wet, windy weather.

Bing Shopping | St. Patrick’s Day clothing accessories

Want to make it through St. Patrick’s Day pinch-free? You’d better get your green on. There are some really silly picks out there, like tiny leprechaun hats and green sunglasses. Lots of giant, sequined, green bow ties are on offer too, but if you’d rather skip the novelty items, choose a demure scarf instead.

Bing Shopping | Green nail polish

Do your pinching -- or avoid being pinched -- in properly verdant style with a manicure of glamorous green. It happens to be a super-trendy polish color, too, so you can wear these way beyond the middle of March. Choose from tons of tints, including demure pastel mints, shimmery jade greens and the deepest forest hues imaginable.