Irish American here who grew up in a pretty Irish American area. We didn’t have any of this leprechaun stuff, we celebrated by spending time with family, probably listening to a bit more trad music than usual and making soda bread.
I don’t think the leprechaun stuff has anything to do with actual Irish Americans. It’s just a trend that got started at some point. I find it super annoying adding all these additional things a parent has to do for every dang holiday.

I am not of Irish descent and didn't know about any of these kids' celebrations. I thought it was just wear green and drink adult beverages. Is this a thing now?!

My DH is Irish, as in his mom's family immigrated and he is named after an Irish revolutionary, and apparently she was always annoyed at "Americans who've been in this country for a century making a cartoon out of Irish people." So they don't celebrate either.

I'm not Irish and I hate the color green, so no.

The way Americans celebrate it is an American tradition and barely touching upon Irish. Yes, we give a nod to it. When I was in my 20s, I had a lot of fun with it. I'm Mexican American. People go out for Cinco de Mayo, which is another American tradition. Who cares? Have fun if you want. Don't have fun if you don't want.

Getting my mammo -- erin go braless

I’m Irish and have never celebrated.

I'm half Irish but holidays that don't involve a day off from work/school are not on my radar unless forced upon me. I'm a mom so of course we do Halloween and I send candy/valentines to school for Valentines Day. But only because those are non-negotiables for kids. If I didn't have a kid, I wouldn't even do those.

When I was in college and grad school we'd go drink at Irish bars on St. Pat's. But I'm in my 40s and have a job and a million things to do, and it's Tuesday. I will not be day drinking (or even night drinking) today.

The most Irish thing I'll do today is apply my green-tint redness reducing skin products and sunscreen. Erin go bragh.

I'm sure we have some Irish blood in us, but 150 years ago. We definitely celebrate! Kids set up leprechaun traps last night. The leprechaun ruined their traps, gave them chocolate coins, peed green in their toilets and left little footprints on the toilets (green paint I did). Kids ate lucky charms for breakfast. Tonight we'll eat corned beef, potatoes, carrots and Irish soda bread (with raisins, not sure that that's traditional) with some Guinness for the adults. We've been reading Irish kids books for the past month too.

I love holidays that everyone can celebrate like this and no one accuses you of appropriating their culture. My parents always had us eat corned beef and go to mass when I was a kid on St. Patrick's Day. And of course we always wore green.

We always eat corned beef and cabbage, which my Irish friends tell me accrual Irish people don't do at all

Nope

Anonymous wrote:Messes?? Is this a new fad like the elf on the shelf?

My kids are of half Irish descent, but we learned about most of this when they were in elementary school. The leprechaun used to come into the classroom and mess it all up and the kids thought it was great. So I started doing some of it at home - green milk, green water in the Brita, green water in the toilet, a mess in the living room (pillows on the floor, etc). It was always fun to see the kids' reactions when they woke up.

Grew up in Ireland and emigrated here in my late 20s. Americans on St. Patrick's Day are brilliant. The day back home is a big deal but not like here in the states. Back home St. Patrick's day is a Holy Day and you go to Mass first then the pubs.

Messes?? Is this a new fad like the elf on the shelf?

I couldn’t care less about St Patrick's Day but am playing it up for my preschooler. Green toilet, toilet paper, coins, messes from the leprechaun, etc. DC loves it and why not add a little magic for your kids?

I’m a first generation American who went to catholic schools growing up. Aside from wearing green I never celebrated st Patrick’s day. 30 years ago only the people of Irish descent decked out and celebrated it. Has this changed? My 6 year old woke up disappointed this morning expecting to see a mess and a green toilet because he learned it at school. I get that it’s fun but wondering what the norm is for families with no Irish heritage.