4 DIY projects with a touch of Irish flair

(Family Features) Pairing Shepherd’s pie and potato soup with green pints and Irish delights are surefire signs of St. Patrick’s Day celebrations. Food and drink may be the stars of the show, but a little festive ambiance can transport guests from your dining room table to the streets of Dublin.

A few seasonal touches are all it takes to complement a menu of corned beef and cabbage. Consider these DIY decorations for this year’s St. Patrick’s Day party.

• Set a St. Paddy’s Mood – Show off your holiday spirit for all to see with a homemade wreath that gives your front door a perfect welcoming touch. Cut shamrock shapes out of green construction paper then glue together, edge to edge, to your desired size. Punch a hole in the top shamrock and run string or ribbon through to hold up your work of art.
   
• The Gift of Green – Lend a helping hand to guests who forget their green with shamrock-shaped pins they can attach to shirts or hats. Wooden shamrocks tend to work best with small pins glued to the back. Arrange these easy party favors near the door so your friends and neighbors can grab one as they enter.
   
• A Homemade Pot o’ Gold – Send guests chasing the rainbow and reward their adventures with canning jars filled with candies wrapped in gold. Simply spray paint jars green, fill with gold-wrapped candies and place in various gathering areas for easy-to-reach treats.
   
• Custom Cups – Upgrade boring drinkware with a leprechaun look. Find green cups (plastic or paper) and wrap with black ribbon using hot glue to secure. For a final touch, add a gold sticker as the belt buckle.

Visit eLivingtoday.com for more at-home decor ideas.

Photo courtesy of Unsplash

SOURCE:
eLivingtoday.com

Observed annually on February 8th, National Kite Flying Day is a celebration that encourages people to embrace the joy of kite flying and making. Across the country, enthusiasts eagerly take part in this day by launching their kites or planning to attend vibrant kite festivals.

The history of kites traces back to ancient China, around 470 B.C. Chinese folklore tells captivating tales of how kites were inspired by the wind’s influence on various aspects of life, such as leaves on trees, ships’ sails, and people’s hats. Kites were even used for espionage and communication purposes. Interestingly, the people of the South Sea Islands were also utilizing kites for fishing during that time.

Early kites were crafted using bamboo or sturdy reeds as frames, with sails made from leaves, silk, or paper. Vines or braided fibers completed the lines or tethers. While kites initially served practical purposes, they also held deep symbolic significance in ceremonial contexts, whether used to send messages to the heavens or elevate offerings to the gods.

Today, kites have become popular hobbies and sources of outdoor fun. They come in a variety of designs, from simple diamond kites to intricate box kites and giant sled kites. Stunt kites, known as sport kites, allow operators to perform thrilling maneuvers, including dips, twists, and dives.

To ensure a successful kite flying experience, here are some helpful tips: assemble the kite correctly, check the wind conditions (a light breeze of 5-20 mph is generally ideal), prioritize safety by avoiding power lines, trees, and other obstacles, refrain from flying in the rain, launch the kite with your back to the wind, and gradually release the line at a pace that matches the kite’s ascent.

On National Kite Flying Day, you can celebrate by flying a kite, making your own kite, exploring upcoming kite festivals, hosting a kite flying lesson, learning about the science behind kite flying, engaging in kite projects, and sharing your experience on social media using the hashtag #NationalKiteFlyingDay. So grab a kite, embrace the wind, and let your spirits soar!

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In a heartwarming tale that could only happen in the realm of Disney magic, Matthew Ables, a TikTok sensation with a massive following, unearthed a nearly 50-year-old ticket to Walt Disney World Resort’s Magic Kingdom Park in Orlando. With over 600,000 followers eagerly watching, Ables shared his incredible discovery in a video that quickly went viral, amassing more than nine million views.

The ticket, dating back to 1978 and originally priced at $8, had been quietly resting in his family home, untouched for decades. Ables, intrigued by its potential, decided to put its validity to the test. Could this aging ticket truly be a golden pass back in time, granting access to the beloved theme park with no expiration date in sight?

Traveling to Orlando to solve the mystery once and for all, Ables nervously presented the vintage ticket to guest relations at the park. As a worker stamped “void” across its aged surface, uncertainty loomed. Yet, in a moment straight out of a fairy tale, the worker returned with a yellow pass, offering Ables entry into the park that has captivated hearts for generations.

Today, gaining admission to the Magic Kingdom Park can cost an adult upwards of $109 for a day of enchantment. Adjusting for inflation, the 1978 ticket’s value would be around $38 in current times. However, Disney’s timeless commitment to magic and wonder shines through, as the company states on its website that all unexpired tickets are honored as a matter of policy.

While Walt Disney World has yet to comment on this extraordinary event, the story of Ables and his vintage ticket serves as a reminder of the enduring allure of Disney magic. In a world where dreams come true and the past merges seamlessly with the present, this tale of nostalgia and serendipity captures the essence of what makes Disney Parks a place where imagination knows no bounds.

Source: Business Insider

https://www.businessinsider.com/man-uses-vintage-walt-disney-magic-kingdom-ticket-enter-park-2024-2