Shop Talk : Green for St. Patrick's Day
By Katryn Yerdon
Published: March 11, 2010
Always on March 17, this year St. Patrick's Day falls on a Wednesday. Not a major holiday in America, it is an important and festive holiday for the many Irish descendants (along with lots of wannabes who embody the saying that "Everyone's Irish on St. Patrick's Day). Consider that though the Irish have observed this religious holiday for more than 1,000 years, the U.S. actually boasts the first St. Patrick's Day parade. We have embraced the celebratory aspect of the holiday, with lots of green everywhere, along with loads of beer and corned beef. Walking around the Island, we find a shortage of green decorations but plenty of celebration plans for the merry upcoming St. Patrick's Day.
If you are hosting a St. Patty's day dinner, you might consider upping your game with green table settings. Alley's General Store in West Tisbury has 100 percent cotton tablecloths with coordinating napkins ($5.49 ea.), along with sets of green toned side towels ($14.99). If you would like to take it a step further, more decorations will be found at Rose Buds in O.B., and at Shirley's or Mardell's in Vineyard Haven.
Many of us, however, will be heading to our local watering holes to celebrate with friends and neighbors. This means we will need to dress the part, with lots of green clothing. Why not take it full circle and go to the Green Room in Vineyard Haven to get your women's Frenzii green wrap shirt ($48) with coordinating hunter green "wellies" (all footwear 40 percent off). Men can match the women with a green Patagonia (40 percent off) lightweight waterproof trekker jacket ($300) or a lightweight vest ($150). Make sure to avoid the day after hangover by drinking lots of water from your new Sigg, "green is the new black" water bottle.
Going for an upscale look? Two Susans in Vineyard Haven can adorn your door with a beautiful green Apple and Hydrangea Wreath ($99) and provide wonderful picture frames in green ivory ($55) or a small magnet frame ($12.50). They are also having a 50 percent off woman's clothing sale. Keeping with the green theme, the Chalet Hoodie ($99.50) or the Nomadic Traders vest ($110) might be your choice.
Curious about the religious origins of St. Patrick's day or the history of the Irish nation? Bunch of Grapes offers two great book selections to slake your desire for knowledge with "St. Patrick, the Life and World of Ireland's Saint" ($20) and "How the Irish Saved Civilization, the Untold Story of Ireland's Heroic Rome to Rise of Medieval Europe".
Should you have a special Irish person to whom you would like to give a meaningful gift this St. Patty's day, Moonstone in Vineyard Haven is ready to help. Their wonderful selection of Claddagh rings, traditional Irish rings given as a token of love or worn as a wedding ring. The rings start at $20 for a silver version and continue up to a two-toned white/yellow gold. They also have Claddagh charms available and a horseshoe charm in gold ($145) that when you spin it, it reads "good luck".
Happy St. Patrick's Day!
