St. Patrick’s Day is a lively celebration held on March 17th, marking the anniversary of St. Patrick's death in 461 AD. Initially an Irish-exclusive holiday, St. Patrick’s Day has evolved into a global festival. People from diverse backgrounds participate in local St. Paddy’s Day parades and engage in various traditions, such as visiting Irish pubs to enjoy Irish beer and whiskey, savoring Irish cuisine like Irish Soda Bread, Shepherd’s Pie, or Colcannon, listening to traditional Irish folk music, singing Irish ballads, and donning green attire or shamrocks.
St. Patrick's Day originated to honor the arrival of Christianity, particularly Catholicism, in Ireland, while also celebrating Irish culture, folklore, and traditions. Additionally known as the “Roman Catholic Feast Day” or “The Feast of St. Patrick,” this holiday occurs during Lent, a period in the Catholic calendar between Ash Wednesday and Holy Saturday before Easter Sunday, when indulgence in drinking and feasting is typically discouraged or forbidden. Historically, these restrictions were relaxed for St. Patrick’s Day, possibly contributing to its reputation as a boisterous daytime celebration filled with cheerful revelers!
St. Patrick’s Day Gifts
We never miss an opportunity to create a gift for a specific holiday, and St. Patrick’s Day is no exception! Building on the themes of this Irish tradition, we paired our fresh fruit hamper — well, we are a Fruitier after all — with a charming green and gold Shamrock Cookie Trio from our beloved Duane Park Patisserie and an authentic Irish Soda Bread made by our friend Amy from Amy’s Bread. We call this St. Patrick’s Day gift our “Luck of the Irish”.
And if you’re on the hunt for a “Pot of Gold”, we can add a delectable box of Irish Whiskey Truffles from John and Kira (see photo below).
Delight friends and family with our "Pot of Gold" St. Patricks Day gift!
A Brief History of St. Patrick
St. Patrick, though never officially canonized by a pope, is celebrated as Ireland's most beloved saint—and he wasn't even Irish! Born in Britain around 385 AD, his original name was Maewyn Succat. At the age of 16, he was captured by Irish raiders and taken to Ireland, where he spent six years as a shepherd. During this time, he developed a deep sense of faith and purpose. After escaping and returning home, he trained for the priesthood and later returned to Ireland as a missionary, adopting the name Patricious (or "Patrick"), which means "Father Figure" in Latin. In Ireland, he famously converted many Druids, who revered nature and harmony, to Christianity. St. Patrick is also credited with "driving the snakes out of Ireland," a metaphor for eliminating pagan religions, as there are no snakes in Ireland!
St. Patrick is closely associated with the shamrock, which is why our St. Patrick’s Day gifts include Shamrock cookies! Legend has it that he used the three-leafed clover to explain the Holy Trinity to those unfamiliar with the concept. In statues and imagery, St. Patrick is often depicted holding a bunch of shamrocks, symbolizing his teachings and legacy.
The Customs of St. Patrick's Day
Drinking Irish whiskey and Irish beer in an Irish pub is a cherished tradition on St. Patrick’s Day. Many bars throw open their doors early, inviting revelers to start the festivities bright and early, and keep the merriment going all day long! Naturally, we couldn’t dream of crafting a St. Patrick’s Day gift without a nod to the rich flavors of Irish whiskey, Irish coffee, and Irish cream.
Wearing green on this festive day is a beloved ritual embraced by both those of Irish descent and those who simply love to join in the fun. Green is the hue linked with Catholics in Ireland (while orange represents Protestants), and according to Irish folklore, wearing green can make you invisible to the playful leprechauns who might otherwise give you a cheeky pinch! Even today, those who forget to wear green on St. Paddy’s Day might find themselves at the mercy of a friendly pinch from a fellow celebrant.
Next to the potato, Irish soda bread is probably the most recognizable Irish food around and would be included in any traditional St. Patrick’s Day feast. Manhattan Fruitier is proud to offer Amy’s Irish Soda Bread, which is deliciously light, flaky and not too sweet. Crafted with classic ingredients like buttermilk, caraway seeds, and raisins, this round loaf adds a deliciously authentic touch to our St. Patrick’s Day gifts, celebrating the rich culinary heritage of Ireland.
Irish in America
The largest wave of Irish immigration to the United States came in the wake of the catastrophic potato famine, with around 2 million Irish fleeing starvation and disease starting in 1845. Today, over 30 million Americans proudly claim Irish ancestry, making St. Patrick’s Day a nationwide celebration. In Chicago, the city famously dyes the Chicago River green—a fleeting but spectacular sight! Meanwhile, New York City hosts its legendary St. Patrick’s Day parade, an event that has been officially celebrated since 1848 and draws millions of spectators. It’s no wonder they say, “On St. Patrick’s Day, everybody’s Irish!”
Don’t miss the chance to surprise your friends, family, and colleagues—whether they have Irish roots or not—with our delightful St. Patrick’s Day gifts.
Eirinn go Brach (in Irish Gaelic) or Erin go Bragh (the English version), meaning “Ireland until the end of time!”