Due to the pandemic, most of us don’t have the option of celebrating St. Patrick’s Day the way we usually do. For example, if you enjoy going out to a pub and lifting a pint with friends while session music plays, you’re out of luck this year.

This doesn’t have to put a damper on your holiday—it just means you need to adjust your expectations. Read on to find out how to put on a safe yet rollicking St. Paddy’s Day celebration in the comfort of your own home.

Set the Stage

Start by making the house look as festive as possible. If you don’t already own a set of St. Patrick’s Day decorations, now is the perfect time to invest in one.

There’s no need to spend a ton of money, either. Make shamrock cut-outs using green construction paper and place one or two in every window. You can also fan them out on the table to create a faux runner or centerpiece.

Speaking of centerpieces, live shamrock plants are sure to liven up the table. If you can’t find one, pick up an assortment of green and white carnations from your local florist. You can make one large arrangement or separate the blooms into several vases, depending on your layout.

Strings of shamrock-shaped lights are available through Amazon and other online retailers. They’re warm, festive, and inexpensive enough to justify buying two or three sets if necessary. While you’re shopping, see if you can find any themed paper plates or tableware to add to the ambience.

To break up the green streak, buy a supply of gourmet chocolates in the shape of gold coins and place handfuls of them in strategic locations. These can be found on the See’s Candies website, along with a host of other tantalizing St. Patrick’s Day-themed confections. If there’s room in your budget, pick up a set of mini cauldrons to complete the “pot o’gold” effect.

Wet Your Whistles

It’s no secret that St. Patrick’s Day puts a strong focus on beverages, so this should be one of your first considerations as well. Irish beers and stouts such as Harp lager, Guinness and Beamish stouts, and Smithwick’s Irish Ale are all good bets.

If you want to offer something stronger, pick up a bottle of Jameson’s Irish Whiskey. You can serve it neat or on the rocks, or add it to a cup of joe to make a traditional Irish coffee. Don’t forget the whipped cream!

Celebrants who would prefer to stick to their favorite domestic brew can join in the fun by adding a few drops of green food coloring to their glass. These mugs from Wayfair do a great job showing off the emerald hue.

For younger celebrants or teetotalers of any age, whip up a batch of green punch. Combine lemon-lime Kool-Aid drink mix with pineapple juice and stir until the mix is completely dissolved. Carefully stir in lemon-lime soda (such as Sprite or Sierra Mist) and serve at once. You can also mix the pineapple juice and Kool-Aid ahead of time and add in the soda when you’re ready to serve the punch.

Plan Your Menu

Start out the evening with an Irish-themed cheese plate, brimming with farmhouse selections such as Durrus, Gubbeen, and blue Cashel. Now is the perfect time to try your hand at homemade Irish soda bread to accompany the cheese. Set out some softened Kerrygold butter and a dish of cornichons, and you have a full-fledged appetizer selection.

Beer-battered cocktail sausages are an excellent way to begin the sit-down portion of the meal. Prepare the beer batter ahead of time. When you’re ready to begin serving, dip the cocktail sausages in the batter and fry until golden and crisp. Serve with your favorite mustard for dipping.

For the main course, you can keep things simple with an Irish stew made with either beef or lamb, or prepare a “boiled dinner” of corned beef and cabbage. Both of these tried-and-true favorites can be prepared ahead of time, which takes a lot of pressure off the chef.

If you have a deep-fryer and you’re already planning on firing it up for the battered sausages, consider serving fish and chips as the main dish. Use a firm, mild-fleshed fish such as haddock or cod, and cut the potatoes extra-thick. You can also pick up frozen steak fries at the supermarket if you don’t have time to make your own.

Don’t Forget Dessert

Liven things up after dinner with a “green velvet” bundt cake, a twist on the traditional red velvet. These are sold online, or you can try to replicate the recipe at home.

For a less formal gathering, pass around a plate of shamrock-shaped cookies decorated with green icing or sprinkles. You can customize these using your favorite sugar cookie recipe, and the kids can be enlisted to help with the decorating.

Liven Things Up

When everyone is full, suggest a game to maintain the festive mood. St. Patrick’s Day-themed bingo can be enjoyed by even the youngest members of the family. A bean bag toss game is a welcome alternative for outdoor celebrations, and it’s also family-friendly.

You can also hide some of those chocolate coins around the house and set up a Gold Hunt. Divide family members into two teams and set them loose to search for as many coins as they can find within a two-minute window. When the two minutes are up, the team with the most coins wins the game.

Create a Playlist

If you’re not into organized activities or just want to keep the party rolling longer, there’s always dancing. Create a playlist or two in advance and keep the music playing throughout the festivities.

The Irish Rovers are a classic choice for guests of all ages—one of their best-known songs, “The Unicorn,” was written by children’s author Shel Silverstein. Altan offers up an impressive list of instrumental jigs and reels, and can serve as the ideal backdrop for dinner as well as dancing. For teens and young adults, kick things up a notch with Irish rock bands like Skippinish and the Saw Doctors.

Host a Virtual Celebration

Even if your friends and extended family can’t celebrate with you, include them in the action via Skype or FaceTime. Set up a time for the virtual gathering in advance, and encourage them to decorate and enjoy a similar menu. During the call, you can have a contest to determine whose decorations are superior.

Last Call

Things might be a little bit different this year, but that’s no reason to forego your favorite holiday traditions. By keeping your St. Patrick’s Day celebration at home, you’ll increase your family’s chances of staying happy and healthy.