Come March 17, you’d be surprised how many people will claim being Irish even if there’s not a drop of Irish blood in their veins. Many people like to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day by getting in the spirit of the day. This may include dressing in green, but you may also want to know how to decorate your home for St. Patrick’s Day.

Of course, one of the easiest ways to decorate your home for St. Patrick’s Day is to add green shamrocks at various places around your décor. You don’t have to decorate each room, but you could if you wanted. You can find green shamrocks at the store, but you can also make your own with green construction paper or green metallic wrapping paper. Make them in a variety of sizes, along with white or orange shamrocks, to bring a little bit of Ireland to your home.

Change out some of the light bulbs in your home. You can probably find green light bulbs at a party supply store. If you can’t find green bulbs, why not put green lamp shades on a few lamps to cast a green tint to the area.

Create a mural of construction paper with your children’s help. Have them make a rainbow out of paper with a black pot o’ gold at the bottom. They can wrap gold foil over pieces of cardboard cut into circles. They can be placed on the black paper with tape so the wall isn’t damaged.

Purchase green and gold beads or necklaces to place around your home. Create a St. Patrick’s welcome to your home with the beads by putting push-pins on your wall and hanging the beads over them. You can also hang them over light shades, in windows, or in any number of ways.

Use green in your décor by adding green throw rugs or pillows you can put in your living room or den. These small touches can make a big difference when you’re trying to celebrate the holiday without going crazy with shamrocks.

When having a party in your home, use St. Patrick’s Day theme party items. Cups, plates, napkins, and table cloths are easy to find at discount stores, party supply stores, or dollar stores. Find them in the weeks leading up to the holiday, or if you can afford it, pick up extras at the sales following the holidays to use the next year.

Don’t forget your food! Add green food coloring to your milk in the morning and watch the children’s look of surprise. Green eggs and ham might be another option. Potatoes are an Irish staple; make green mashed potatoes for dinner.

Use your imagination. When you decide how to decorate your home for St. Patrick’s Day, you may have more ideas than you can incorporate in one year. Write down your ideas so you’ll have them to use next year.