Internet users are busy sending electronic Irish greetings to cube-mates. While Blue Mountain will send a free "Happy Shamrock Day" message, many other e-card sites require paid registration. Egreetings.com offers animated antics, including the classic "Irish Montage," the ever-popular "St. Patrick's Day Chin Song" and the witty "Top Leprechaun Complaints."
If you would rather send a more personal offering, you can send your sweetie a St. Paddy's Day treat. FTD offers a St. Pat's Cookie Tin and a St. Pat's Gigantic Fortune Cookie. But if your honey is cutting back on carbs, send a fat-free Todd Oldham St. Patrick's Day Bouquet or a 15 Stem Mixed Tulip Bouquet.
For the fashionable, Zales offers an engravable Sterling Silver Saint Patrick Pendant while Patagonia Gifts has designed Celtic Love Knot cufflinks for your stylish Irishman.
Red Envelope, a popular personalized gift company, has gifts for the entire family. They offer matching green "Ireland" track jackets and hoodies for Mom and toddler. Treat Dad to their green plaid leather flask. Grandma and Grandpa might like the Irish cable knit throw and four-leaf clover key chain.
Celebrating St. Pat's Day extends beyond gift-giving. Irish-lovers all over are attending March 17th day events. Parades, festivals and parties unite towns. Chicago is holding its 52nd Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade at noon. Arrive early and watch as the Chicago River turns green. The parade committee raises funds through the sale of commemorative souvenir books. Printed yearly, this coffee table collector's item contains stories and pictures of Chicago's annual tradition.
If you're planning on heading East instead, Boston is also a popular destination. While many public events offer free admission, others require purchase. For a price you can attend Irish concerts at the Orpheum, Boston Symphony Hall or the Roxy. Foodies may enjoy the Gaelic Gourmet Gala at the Hotel Commonwealth, which features top Irish and Bostonian chefs. The athletic can register for the 66th Annual St. Patrick's Day Road Race & Walk benefiting the South Boston Boys & Girls Club.
Passport holders may choose to go for the real deal. Thousands of tourists flock to Ireland during the month of March. From March 15-18, 4,000 performers and one million spectators will celebrate in Dublin. Cities of Galway, Limerick, Waterford and Cork also hold large festivals. Travelers can book a flight on Aer Lingus and fly from a variety of hubs. Vacation deals are available from sites like: Travelocity, O'Connors, Go Ahead Tours and Brennan Vacations.
On March 17th, Americans will be raising pints of Guinness and also opening their wallets. Specialty gift shops, e-card retailers and popular tourist cities will reap revenue as we send flowers, watch Irish dancers, eat corned beef and cabbage, and send online greetings. Did anyone find that pot of gold yet?