With St. Patrick’s Day right around the corner, it’s likely everyone around you is pulling out their green sweaters and leprechaun hats.

March 17 is known for lots of celebrating and covering everything in green sequins in recognition of St. Patrick, who brought Catholicism to Ireland. I think people can celebrate St. Patrick’s Day however they’d like (which is true for any holiday, in my opinion) but I do think it’s important to point out there are some major misconceptions about St. Patrick’s Day out there in the world.

Since I was a child, I’ve always celebrated St. Patrick’s Day in some form. I’m originally from the Boston, Mass. area, which is home to the largest population of Irish Americans in the United States. Boston also hosts a massive St. Patrick’s Day parade every year with family-friendly floats, bagpipes, and loads of food. There is also, as you may already know, tons and tons of beer. For me, whether you’re celebrating St. Patrick’s Day with a bunch of Irish-Americans (of which I am one myself, to be fair), or just a bunch of people who love to drink green beer, the most important thing is you’re having fun with people you enjoy being around.