St. Patrick's Day trees took off in 2020 as a new trend in festive decorations for Ireland's national holiday. It's tacky as heck and we're loving it. 

As St. Patrick's Day approaches, the world prepares to drape itself in shades of emerald and indulge in the rich traditions of Irish culture. Among the many delightful customs associated with this festive holiday, the emergence of St. Patrick's Day trees stands out as a whimsical and charming way to celebrate the season. Inspired by the ever-popular Christmas tree, these verdant creations offer a unique opportunity to infuse homes and public spaces with the spirit of St. Patrick's Day.

When the pandemic struck in 2020, parades were canceled and St. Patrick's Day celebrations became something very different. St. Patrick's Day trees quickly became the latest trend surrounding Ireland's national holiday and there's more than a slight resemblance to Christmas trees. 

In fact, they are Christmas trees. They just have some St. Patrick's Day adjustments. 

The usual tinsel and baubles that you see at Christmas have given way to shamrocks and leprechauns and it makes for an amusing image. 

The trend seemed to take hold during the Covid-19 lockdown in 2020 when scores of people posted pictures of their new decorations on Instagram. The trend seems to have provided a form of escapism at a time when people were restricted to their homes during the very early stages of the pandemic. 

However, the idea seems to be similarly popular this year with people hoping that the tree will bring the luck of the Irish with it.

Failing that, it brightens up a room at least and adds a bit of St. Patrick's Day cheer. 

Do you put up St. Patrick's Day trees ahead of March 17? Or do you have any other different St. Patrick's Day traditions? Let us know in the comments! 

* Originally published in March 2020. Updated in Feb 2024.