Irish Christmas is almost upon us. What I mean by that, of course, is St. Patrick's Day.

True, it's not until after spring break, but you might as well start thinking about it now, if you're not already, because it really is a big deal. Plus, there's no paper next week for me to write about it in, so bear with me.

The age-old tradition of buying as much Guinness as possible, wearing a plastic derby on your noggin and dyeing every light-colored brew green will surely be in effect in State College on March 17.

Irish potatoes, basically coconut cream "Easter Eggs," but rolled in cinnamon rather than dipped in chocolate, will abound and drinkers of all ages (above 21 years old, of course) will flock to The Phyrst, 111 1/2 E. Beaver Ave., like the swallows of Capistrano.

But other than Ireland's St. Patty's Day and Mexico's Cinco de Mayo, what other nations have holidays that are celebrated and beloved in America by partying and throwing back a few cold ones?

Well, for the sake of argument, let's invent a few new ones, and maybe they'll take off.

January 23, National Hockeyday: Canada

Maple leaf loyalists around the world, rejoice, because these 24 hours belong to you!

Today, the agenda is hockey, and a hell of a lot of it. Every team in the NHL would have a game scheduled, and every bar in town would televise them.

As for beer, if it's got a maple leaf on it and it's from our proud neighbor to the north, then it's on special and should be enjoyed by all.

You can take your hockey stick to work. The only people staring at you will be doing so out of admiration.

You know, Canada is kind of like America's attic when you think about it. Seriously, think about it. You probably don't go up there very often because it's cold, but when you do spend some time there and look around, there's a lot of neat stuff to be found.

Definitely a nation deserving of its own holidrinkin' day, eh?

June 1, Eiffel Tower Appreciation Day: France

If it weren't for this giant piece of architectural awesomeness, how would tourists be able to look out over the lovely city of Paris? And if the Eiffel Tower didn't exist, what else would France have to represent itself?

On this day, proud descendants of the nation that invented the language of love can drink red, white or blush wine till they drop, and sport one of those goofy hats that Monica Lewinsky made so fashionable in the States.

While you're at it, to actually celebrate the Eiffel Tower ÃW it is the tower's day, after all ÃW make sure to do all of your partying from a high place, such as your buddy's ninth floor apartment or the roof or your house. (The Daily Collegian does not condone drinking on the roof of your house.)

To top it all off, with each bottle of wine consumed, make your own tower by stacking the bottles on top of one another.

February 7, Mix It Up Day: Russia

On this day in 1834, Russian chemist Dmitri I. Mendeleev was born, and without him, you wouldn't have that Chem 12 class you love so much, nor would you have that periodic table of mixology poster in your dorm room or apartment.

That's because in 1869, Mendeleev arranged the 63 known elements into the first periodic table, which he published in Principles of Chemistry that same year.

So, what better way to commemorate the man and his nation of origin than to use your mixology skills and make up a new drink? Preferably, use Russian vodka in the mix somehow, and celebrate by bundling yourself up and partying out in the cold with your friends. Hey, if the Polar Bear Club can swim in ice water, then you can play flip cup in the cold.