St. Patrick’s Day on a Budget (and it’s cute, too!)
Our second installment in the yet-to-be-named series about how to decorate for a party with items from the Dollar Tree (or any Dollar Only section of your favorite stores).
For the grown-ups table (aka “The Luck O’ the Irish“):
I found pilsner glasses at the Dollar Tree, along with gold foil embossed stickers, as well as these cute little leprechaun hats made for dogs(!) and Ireland flags at the Dollar Spot in Target.
Now, I’m gonna admit that I was feeling kind of guilty about this table, because I already had several items to complete the look. I had the wheatgrass, which is so versatile, as well as the gold chargers, although they were purchased for $2/each a few months ago. The gold flatware was my grandmothers (I never really use it) and the gold crown plates were a gift.
Lay the grass down the center of the table and sprinkle gold chocolate coins on top (one bag cost me $4 at the local candy shop). Guests can grab a few for a treat and to take home and enjoy later (decor as food/favor=budget conscious!). Take the flags off the sticks and use as a festive napkins! Cute, right?
We used the gold stickers as place cards and stuck them right on the pilsner glasses. Place a nice cold Guinness inside the glass and set those crazy dog hats on top (they look pretty funny on humans, too!). Finally, a fun touch is a scratch-off lottery ticket at each place setting. Maybe the Luck O’ the Irish will be with someone at the table!
(You could get a similar effect on basic white plates by using gold stickers or transfers. I found these at Michael’s:
Moving on to the Kid’s Table (aka “Somewhere Under the Rainbow”)
Here’s what I used for this one:
clockwise from top left: clover shaped bath sponges and green swirly cups and plates (both from Michael’s); spray paint (that I already had); silk hydrangea flowers and paper lanterns (both from the Dollar Tree).
Spray paint the hydrangeas to resemble large four-leaf clovers and place inside the paper lantern. More of the gold chocolate coins scattered around the base are proof that a leprechaun has been there. Because legend has it that if you ever catch one of those little green imps, he will reward you with the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, it’s only fitting to add some rainbow touches as well! Who can resist a rainbow lollipop (cute as place cards with a round label sticker on the fronts)? Oh, and I just spray painted some paper plates gold to simulate a kid-friendly charger. Easy and cheap!
Finally, a fun craft activity table consists of these great finds:
(clockwise from top left: small glass vases, pack of 3 ankle socks, green clover shaped candle dishes and rainbow feather dusters, all from the Dollar Tree).
Offer a fun interactive option for the kiddos (OK, and maybe the adults too!) by setting up a hat decorating station. Those crazy cool rainbow colored dusters add a punch of fun (somebody use these for your next Dr. Suess-themed party, would ya?). By the way, kids LOVE these things, so let them take ‘em home if you want! Just gather up whatever craft items you have: ribbon, stickers, pompoms, feathers, glitter, beads, you name it! A hot glue gun (monitored by an adult of course) and you’ll have a parade of stylish leprechauns before you know it!
Take a closer look at those vases. Here, let me help:
Remember those little ankle socks that came in a pack of three at the Dollar Tree? I just slipped one over a tall pilsner glass to create a super cute, very versatile vase! Six vase covers for one dollar! What a deal!
I hope these ideas spur some of your own creative ideas. You don’t have to spend a fortune to celebrate with your family and friends. Whether you are Irish or not, you will indeed feel the Luck of the Irish with fun, easy and affordable decor on St. Patty’s Day!
(by the way, you can click on any image to get a closer look.)
Tags: green decor, green party, st. patricks day party, st. patty's day, st. pattys day party
March 12th, 2009 at 9:14 am
Robyn,
I ADORE this!! I have a midly unhealthy obesssion with St. Pattys day! I go all out and start decorating in February, these ideas are just too cute! The sock over the pilsner glass–McGenius! I;m going to link over to this from my blog,too fun!
March 12th, 2009 at 11:06 am
O.K. seriously you are the Party Guru! The adult table is sending me over the edge! I love the grass sprinkled with gold coins, the scratch cards, and the flags as napkins. Mostly, I love the way the adult table has a sophisticated edge to it that is hard to achieve with this holiday. I am also loving the paper latern centerpieces on the kid’s table. I like the vertical element you added. What is it? As for the craft table that just takes it over the edge. What a fun party for adults and kids alike. Can I come?
March 12th, 2009 at 12:06 pm
I just discovered your blog while searching for graduation party ideas and WOW! I’m so glad I found it! I’ll be linking to your grad party ideas on May 12th and adding you to my Reader so I don’t miss a thing. Now to explore the rest of your posts!
March 12th, 2009 at 12:11 pm
Wow, you have so many great ideas in this post, I’m going to have to link to this too.
March 12th, 2009 at 4:08 pm
I LOVE your ideas!!!
Can’t wait to see what you come up with next!
March 12th, 2009 at 6:15 pm
They are all fantastic, but the second one is totally my favorite. I just love using paper lanterns!
March 12th, 2009 at 8:26 pm
O’ Me Lucky Charms! What great ideas and phenom website. Great cost effective ideas. How easy you make it look to have a rock star party without breaking the bank.
March 12th, 2009 at 9:04 pm
Thanks ladies!
Lindsay and Rachel – the blog love is HUGELY appreciated!
Brinn – I used curly willow (also from the dollar tree, spray painted gold and then again with a gold glitter spray. It gave the centerpiece some height and added interest). Here is a link to what the entire centerpiece looked like:
http://mixmingleglow.com/blog/?page_id=986
Michelle and Julie – I’m so glad you like everything. Seriously. If you didn’t tell me, I wouldn’t know. And then I’d really think I was just creating and photographing for my own personal entertainment!
March 12th, 2009 at 10:26 pm
These ideas are fabulous! They are all totally something I could (and would) do! Thanks for the inspiration!!
Rebecca
RootsAndWingsCo.blogspot.com
March 13th, 2009 at 4:47 am
I too, love the socks over the pilsner. They look like little leprechaun legs, slight creepy little leprechaun legs…love the hydrangea spray painted green as well. You so have a knack for this.
March 13th, 2009 at 5:39 am
I love those tables! FUN! FUN! FUN!
http://www.celebrationsathome.blogspot.com
March 13th, 2009 at 6:45 am
Love them! H
March 13th, 2009 at 6:58 am
Loving the dusters and sock vase covers! Too cute! I’ll have to find a way to use those ideas some time.
March 13th, 2009 at 7:31 am
All are awesome! You rock!
March 13th, 2009 at 9:48 am
These are all super cute!! Great ideas:-)
March 13th, 2009 at 12:20 pm
I love all your wonderful ideas. I am going to link this to my post on budget entertaining. Thanks for the great ideas!!!
March 13th, 2009 at 3:50 pm
Great ideas. I love the socks over the pilsner glass. Brilliant!
March 14th, 2009 at 10:14 pm
Thanks for your comment on my blog!
I am new to your site but LOVE your genius creativity!
Truly……..it is so neat to read your past posts and I’m looking forward to seeing what you come up with next!
Lovely to meet you!
March 16th, 2009 at 8:18 am
Ok, so I’m lovin’ it all! And yes, those pilsner glasses DO look like slight creepy legs
. I’m so in love with the lantern idea…I’m sure Amy at Stem Parties is going to have a field day when she sees them, she loves her some lanterns.
March 18th, 2009 at 6:23 pm
Pure GENUIS you are!
July 19th, 2009 at 2:26 pm
You are brilliant! I love these ideas! It’s hard to find cute, creative new ideas for this holiday! Thanks for the ideas. I’m going to use them next St Patty’s day.
March 27th, 2010 at 8:37 pm
OMG!! These are the best and cutest St. Patrick’s Day ideas!! This is my sons most favorite holiday, I am just bummed I saw this post after the holiday! I will save it for next year! Thanks for all the wonderful ideas =) Denice