Did you know that according to Hallmark, Americans exchange about 16 million St. Patricks Day Cards a year? And that it's the ninth-largest card-sending occasion in the United States?? And, remember as the saying goes, everyone is a little bit Irish on this day! So celebrate by sending St. Patricks Day
greeting cards to friends and family, near and far. The money you save on stamps might just buy you an extra pint or two!
Wondering How St. Patrick's Day Became the Holiday it is today?? Read on...
St. Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland and the day we celebrate in his honor is the day of his death in AD 461. Patrick was a pagan until he was sold into slavery at the age of 16. His captivity brought him closer to God and upon his eventual escape from slavery, he entered a monastery. After many years of devotion and study, he desired to return to his beloved homeland and convert the pagans to Christianity, which he did in great numbers. History or myth states St. Patrick often used the shamrock to explain the trinity, thus its later symbolic use on this day, and that he drove all the snakes out of Ireland by beating his drum.
The tradition of celebrating St. Patrick's Day began as a spiritual remembrance - a day of religous reflection as well as a "day off" from the strict observance of Lent. The holiday would include Mass and family traditions - but would also include a traditional feast of pork or boiled bacon, potatoes, cabbage and bread. Along with this, there were pints of ale for the adults and sweets for the kids, as well as dancing and singing -- all of which were forbidden during Lent, so were especially enjoyed on this celebratory day. St. Patrick's Day also marked the middle of spring and shortly thereafter, the planting of the potato crop which gave everyone yet another reason to both play and pray as they prepared for the hard work ahead and a good harvest.
As Irish immigrants settled in America, they tried to recreate this traditional Irish holiday as best they could. Corned beef was cheap and plentiful and 'close' to the boiled bacon (similar to ham) they enjoyed back home. Soon it became the meat to eat during the celebration. The first public celebration of St. Patricks Day was held in Boston in 1737 when joyous Irish immigrants took to the streets to celebrate the formation of the Irish Charitable Society. What would later become the largest and most well-known parade (New York City's annual bash), began in 1762 when a group of Irish-born militia staged an impromptu march through Colonial New York with their regimental band.
So that's how St. Patricks Day evolved from "Dia's Muitre dhuit" (God And Mary Be With You) to "Kiss Me I'm Irish"! And, remember as the saying goes, everyone is a little bit Irish on this day! So celebrate by sending St. Patricks Day cards to friends and family, near and far.
WHY SEND ANY ST. PATRICKS DAY ECARD WHEN YOU CAN SEND A DOOZY?
