Did you know that leprechauns come out once a year to see if they can find gold from your house to fill their pots with? That's right, March 17th, they sneak into your home to see if there is some forgotten gold they can build their stash from. You probably know that leprechauns secretly hide their pots of gold; maybe under a rainbow, burried like treasure, or under their little leprechaun mattresses. Legend has it, that a leprechaun who is caught honest and fair, will surrender his treasure as a bribe for his release. So, my boys try every year to catch them with a special trap that they build. Those silly leprechauns have slipped away every year, and every year we try again! Even though we haven't caught one yet, we are getting closer. We have learned a few things along the way that might just help us trick them yet! Here's what we know:
First, they love
GREEN! In order to attract them to your trap, you should use green somewhere. It reminds them of the rolling green hills from their Ireland home that is so far away!
Second, they are pretty
CLEVER, so you have to be
tricky. We like to hang signs that say things like, "Leprechauns Welcome" or "This is not a trap!" We have even tried to make ours look like a little Leprechaun home.
Third, just like any magical creature, leprechauns love
sweets. So we like to leave a little crumb of bread with honey. Really anything sweet works, but you know how much the little green men like gold things, so honey seems to be a good choice.
Fourth, you must
make your trap. There is something about a trap from the store that tips them off. They seem to smell those traps from miles away. They won't even get close. And every trap has to be
different or else they get suspicious! Anything you make works though! Try Legos, shoe boxes, oatmeal cartons, nets... anything! How will you trap yours?
Fifth,
BAIT! You have to leave bait. What do you use for bait? Why
GOLD, of course! Again, anything seems to work. The shinier the better! We have tried pennies, gold ribbon, sprinkles, honey, confetti... be careful though! Don't use anything very valuable because, if that rascally leprechaun escapes, and chances are he will, he just might take your beautiful golden bait with him! Now, we have been lucky and our leprechaun has always left chocolate gold as a treat for us (even though they are tricky, a leprechaun is honest and fair and won't take your gold without leaving something to trade with.) We have found gold wrapped coins, rolos, and even peanut butter cups. I have been told they sometimes leave a trail of green glitter or gold dust. And one year, he even left a tiny green footprint behind with a note that said, "Ha! Ha! Fooled you again!"
Maybe this will be our year!
This year, we decided to use these clear paint cans as our traps. We are hoping that if we leave the lid propped open the leprechaun will knock it over and trap himself. My little guy left his a note atttached under the lid that says, "Welcome Leprechaun to my Trap!" He left it under the lid so he wouldn't tip the little green guy off until it was too late! Now, all we have to do is add our honey and set our traps out on Saint Patrick's Day!
While I think his is beautiful, he thinks mine is on the girly side. But, that is ok, because who would suspect it is a trap!?
Now if you catch a leprechaun, beware! Legend has it that if you take your eyes off of a leprechaun for even one second he will disappear!
If you know anything about leprechauns, their legends, or how to trap them, leave a comment below so we can learn together!
Good Luck!
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