IrishBeat.com

With all this recent commentary about the state of affairs in our economy, I couldn’t help but wonder what Christmas would be like if we had stayed with the traditions of 50, 75, or 100 years ago. I’m not old enough to have experienced a Christmas then, but in what I can see from the media, it seems like Christmas sure was simpler and more focussed on religious and family traditions. Maybe there were a couple gifts, but not this orgy of packages under the tree. Sounds kinda nice.

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Pile o crap

With the economy in the state it’s in, it feels like we’re having Christmas shoved down our throats more than ever by the corporate greedy. The advertisers are playing into our attraction for a good bargain and selling us more crap that we really don’t need. I think it’s a good pill for the economy to take if, as Americans and consumers in general, we can learn to settle back into a simpler lifestyle, enjoy Christmas and the holidays for what they are and stop spending more than we have and buying more than what we need.  And maybe we might even be able to balance our own budgets.

Happy Holidays!

Our sincerest wishes and hopes to all of our families, friends and visitors for a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year! We appreciate all of your support and prayers. We hope this special season brings you peace, joy and everything you need, and even most of what you want:-) [No good Irishman would wish you everything you want, because that would leave you with nothing left to hope for.]

Regarding the upcoming year…
A lot of exciting changes are occurring throughout the StPatricksDay.comâ„¢ family of sites, and this blog serves to highlight just a few. First and foremost, the long awaited release of the new and improved StPatricksDay.com will include:

• The addition of a new shopping section with Irish clothes, music, DVDs, jewlery, books, and more;
• FREE Downloads including OVER 2,000 FREE ONLINE Games and custom MySpace backgrounds;
• A brand new Events Database to help you promote or learn about all the coolest Block Parties, Pub Crawls, Parades, Festivals, and other events going on in your local neighborhood and around the World;
• A completely redesigned user interface to help you better access all your favorite Irish Toasts, Travel deals, Shopping, News Sources, and Social Events;
• AND, MUCH, MUCH MORE.

Also, StPatricksDay.com Official Gearâ„¢ is NOW AVAILABLE for purchase online. Read about the legends that inspired our famous custom “Irish Karate©,” “IRISHINYA?©,” “Holy Shamrock©,” “Irish Cougar Hunter©,” and other great t-shirts. Make sure to order one today for yourself, friends, and family.Finally, StPatricksDay.comâ„¢ would like to announce its official co-sponsorship of Shamrockfest 2008. This event promises to be the biggest StPatricksDay event in the Washington, DC area, and will include a “Pub Games” festival area located in the StPatricksDay.com Village.

SHAMROCKFEST 2008
TICKETS ON SALE NOW!

JUST 80-DAYS AWAY!
THE HOTTEST SPRING FESTIVAL IN AMERICA!

Take advantage of the early-bird pricing! With over 40 bands, DJs & performances this will be the most amazing entertainment lineup in Shamrock history!

For full ShamrockFest details, or to buy tickets click here www.Shamrockfest.com
Check back often as we will be continually announcing acts over the next few weeks.

All of us at StPatricksDay.com extend our sincerest appreciation for your support, and we promise to continue to earn it by bringing you the best in Irish-themed content coming your way in the New Year!

Best Wishes and Happy Holidays,

StPatricksDay.com Team

So, at my family reunion last weekend one of my cousins (after a wee bit too much to drink) posed this question:

Would you describe us as Shanty Irish or Lace Curtain Irish?

Make no mistake. We’re all Americans. We love the country, we’re productive citizens. But our heritage helps define us and keeps us tied together even as our daily lives pull us apart.

Both our grandparents emmigrated from Ireland when they were young children. They lived the American dream, instilling in their grandchildren an obligation to their adopted country and an affection for their departed one. They made sure our heritage was woven into the fabric of our lives. It’s how we know corn beef tastes better when boiled in Guinness. It’s why we go to Mass on St. Patrick’s Day, while the rest of the world finalizes it’s drinking plans for the evening. It’s why we love a good story, a warm fire and a rainy morning.

It’s also why we like a good debate. We spent an hour (loudly) discussing our immigrant roots and how we measured up. My cousin Colin insisted our grandpa’s hard-working and plain-spoken nature made us Shanty. My cousin Fiona insisited my gram’s collection of Waterford Crystal and Belleek — which seemed to grow in even the toughest financial times — made us lace curtain.

I campaigned for Shanty attitude with Lacy Curtain tastes.

Everyone left the table convinced they had won.

And that, of course, is our most Irish attribute of all.