The St. Patrick's Day custom came to America in 1737 in Boston. That was the first year St. Patrick's Day was publicly celebrated in this country.

Today, people celebrate the day with parades, wearing green and drinking beer. While all of those things can’t take place “over there” for your Soldier you can create a wonderful holiday care package to make the “first green of spring” a little greener for your loved one. 

Personal Touches
• List of why you’re so “lucky” to have your Soldier in your life
• Pictures of past St Patrick’s day celebrations
• Green t-shirt or green shower shoes
• St Patty’s day trivia (download some off Google)
• Shamrock and Leprechaun drawings by your children
• CD of Irish pub songs
• A “Blarney Stone – Kiss for good luck” (a rock from your garden painted green)

Decorations
• Shamrock decorations and leprechaun hats
• Green Face Paint
• Shamrock window clings
• Shamrock Confetti
• Green Bead Necklaces
• Green Balloons
• Green Christmas lights or shamrock shaped lights
• “Kiss me I’m Irish” button

Food
• Green Gatorade
• Green Apple Jolly Ranchers
• Green M&M's
• Decorated Shamrock Cookies
• Non-alcoholic Beer
• Shamrock shaped green rice krispie treats
• Gold Coin wrapped chocolate
• Irish Soda Bread
• Canned Corn Beef
• Instant Irish Coffee
• Potato Soup
• Skittles
• Lucky Charms
• Green gum
• Guacamole or Sour Cream & Onion flavored chips
• Andes Mints (with the green center) or Junior Mints
• Individually wrapped microwaveable potatoes
• “Green” tea

Fun
• Green Hacky Sacks
• Package of green colored markers
• Irish Movies – “Far and Away,” “The Departed,” “The Quiet Man,” “Gone Baby Gone”

Personal Care
• Irish Spring Soap
• Green dental floss
• Green toothbrush

Visit the Military Spouse Network, to read more helpful tips about caring for a deployed loved one.