Erin go braugh, Ireland forever, and Happy St. Patrick’s Day! This is a holiday just made for parties, filled with drinking green beer and hanging out with friends. It seems everyone is “Irish for a day” on St. Patrick’s Day, making it one of the top reasons (or excuses, depending on your perspective) to go out and have fun.

Unlike many other holidays where the emphasis is on that “special someone” (think Christmas, New Year’s Eve, and of course Valentine’s Day), the very nature of St. Patrick’s Day is all about having fun, fun, and more fun. This makes it a terrific opportunity for singles to get out of the house, get out on the town, and simply enjoy themselves for the evening.

If you’re not sure where to go or what to do on St. Patrick’s Day, a quick look through the local paper or events calendar should be all it takes to find something appealing. Many communities have activities underway all day long, from fun runs in the morning to parades in the afternoon to concerts, dances, and beer gardens in the evening and into the night. Grab a friend (or even better, a group of friends) and head out to whatever event or activity strikes your fancy. Approach the evening as a chance to relax and have fun without the pressure of being on a date or having to interact with just one person. Laugh, play, dance, sing karaoke….whatever you want to do because it’s a day to celebrate the spirit and joyous approach to life of the Irish people.

Just remember, if you’re planning to drink alcohol don’t drive; designate a driver to make sure everyone can have a terrific time and get home safely at the end of the evening!

News & Views Fun, Holidays, Irish, Party

This year Halloween falls on a Saturday night, which means there will be parties galore to attend. From organized events sponsored by local organizations to in-home parties put together by friends or co-workers, there are plenty of options for singles to have tons of Halloween fun.

If you’re just in the early stages of dating someone, look for a party that’s sponsored by a local organization of some kind. Radio stations are famous for hosting Halloween bashes, and so are other organizations like churches, bars and restaurants, non-profit charities, and the like. Each of these parties is going to have a slightly different atmosphere so pick the one that’s going to be most comfortable for you and your date.

Radio station parties – Usually loud and crowded; lots of dancing and often an assortment of games and other activities (with prizes) throughout the night

Bars and restaurants – Can also be loud and crowded, depending on the size of the place and the type of crowd it attracts; may or may not have dancing, games, and other activities; nearly always has specials on food, drinks, appetizers, and the like

Churches – These are often family-style events where parents and kids participate equally; many larger churches, though, also sponsor singles parties and/or adult parties for a safe and fun Halloween. Likely to be more sedate than other parties, in an atmosphere that is more focused on social interaction

It’s a good idea to talk with your potential date in advance about what kind of party he or she would be most comfortable attending. Choosing the right party is a great way to spend time with someone new and be assured there will be plenty of activity to keep you occupied throughout the evening!

Dating Essentials Halloween, Holidays, Party

When it’s time to head out for a spooky date on Halloween, you need to match up with your date – especially if you’re going to be going to a party with a contest to win.

Thankfully, there are plenty of websites dedicated to ideas for couples, but why not turn costume shopping into a date too?

Head to your local costume shop in the afternoon and start trying on costumes that appeal to the both of you. That way, you can try on even the silly ones to have a fun time without having to spend a cent until you find the costume that works for you.

You can even ask the clerks to point you to the couples section (every shop should have an area like this). Here, you will find your perfect costume matchup.

But if you don’t want to spend a lot of money, there’s always the local thrift store.

Here are some ideas you can take with you:

• 80′s prom couple – think aqua dressed and thin ties
• Zombies
• Nerds

Think about what might be funny and what might be easy to find. And as you walk around, you’ll probably have even more ideas.

Halloween is a fun time, so why not share it with a fun date?

Tips and Ideas Costume, Halloween, Party