Six-year-old me shows off her leprechaun trap that she made in kindergarten. Creative art projects like this can create a sense of happiness and achievement. Bringing back leprechaun traps might get teenagers invested in Saint Patrick’s Day. (Photo provided by Jennifer Hatton).

Saint Patrick’s Day is a day to celebrate red-heads, hunt leprechauns and eat or wear green things to avoid getting pinched by a friend – or maybe a green little friend! Many Irish people and Americans have been practicing green-themed traditions since childhood, where parents encourage their children to wear extravagant outfits and discover the magical green water in the toilet.

Maybe this parent-led approach to the holiday is a result of adults wanting to feel youthful, as they haven’t experienced these nostalgic activities in years and want to continue to spread holiday magic to their kids. But why do kids slowly forget the fun they had during this holiday as they become teenagers?

Saint Patrick’s Day is a Christian holiday that centers around St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, according to National Geographic. Now, Saint Patrick’s Day has become a fun celebratory holiday that has drifted off from traditional Catholic beliefs, instead focusing on lively parades and a takeover of green.

During the early elementary school years, leprechaun traps take up most of March as an in-school arts and crafts project. These expressions of holiday cheer specifically help keep the mysterious nature and mystery of this holiday alive, but that excitement slowly wears off. Once you become a teen and the magic begins to fade, everyone becomes conditioned to skip over this holiday in anticipation of its boring traditions, instead focusing on holidays where gifts or costumes are involved, like winter holidays or Halloween.

As you enter adulthood, Saint Patrick’s Day resurfaces, becoming a rowdy day to go to the bar and get drunk on festive green drinks. This transition from childhood games to adult activities skips over an age range entirely: teenagers.

It is inevitable for teens to begin breaking off from childhood activities as a result of the rebellious nature that occurs once you begin to explore independence.

Some may see this limbo group as somewhat apathetic, unmotivated to participate in social traditions, even when it comes to holidays. This common misconception of lackadaisical teens is somewhat true, but only because they haven’t found a middle ground between experiencing the fun of being a child and longing for the freedom of being an adult.

To combat this lack of enthusiasm, teenagers should find new activities and traditions to continue the magic of the leprachaun. What if Saint Patrick’s Day could be just as exciting for teenagers as it is for young children and adults, including cute green sunglasses, a green dinner party, or fun with friends?

1. Bring back green clothes and accessories. We can collaborate with our friends to bring back the allure of leprechauns by having a friend perform the teasing pinch at school. Or help your school organize a Saint Patrick’s Day fashion show helping bring the joy and competition back to Saint Patrick’s Day.
2. Green eggs, green yogurt bowls and salads are all examples of intriguingly new and celebratory ideas of things to eat. Next Patty’s day, try to eat as many green foods as possible. We all know and love green juices and smoothies, which will help get you in the spirit, along with bringing a health aspect into play with smoothie recipes and festive green appetizers.
3. Participate in any festivities around your school or city. Attend a parade (Hermosa Beach has a family friendly one), go to a party decked out in St. Patrick’s Day gear, or hang out with your friends and watch Irish movies. Whatever you do, make sure you are having fun and wearing green accessories and outfits.

We cannot continue to portray Saint Patrick’s Day as only a thrilling, mischievous holiday for young children who still believe in magical stories or adults partying all night with artificially colored drinks and dancing an Irish jig or two. If teenagers begin to creep away from the nostalgic aspects of childhood holidays, they can just as easily bring those feelings back by innovating teen-friendly ways to participate in a few aspects of this holiday.

Bringing back this holiday for a middle-aged range of people will reintroduce the all-inclusive celebratory nature of Saint Patrick’s Day. Who knows — maybe teens will become the most involved in the day of green after taking this small step towards having fun.