• by Sarah Mahoney  @mahoney_sarah, March 4, 2009

In a survey of people who plan to celebrate the March 17 holiday, the National Retail Federation says consumers will pony up $32.80 per person--spending money on decorations, food, festive attire, and of course, beverages. While the total should be $3.29 billion, that still represents a significant decline from the $35.04 the Irish-at-heart spent celebrating last year.

Americans seem to be less in the mood to party, overall--and even the prospect of green beer, corned beef and cabbage or shamrock cookies isn't revving them up. Only about 44.1% of Americans--or 100.4 million--plan to celebrate this year, down from 46% last year, and 48.3% in 2007.

Of those who will celebrate, 81.9% plan to wear green, 33.3% plan to make a special dinner, and 29.6%--down a full percentage point--will celebrate at a bar or restaurant. Fewer people--16.7%--are planning to attend a private party this year, compared with 18.4% last year.

Young adults are still the most avid, with the 25- to-34-year-old crowd planning to spend $39.42 per person, and they are the group most likely to celebrate in a bar or restaurant. "Increased concern about the economy among young adults has forced many of them to pull back on discretionary spending," NRF says in its release. "Many Americans will celebrate St. Patrick's Day in small ways with special meals or a few decorations."