Interlude Magazine

Flavours and Traditions | Interlude Magazine

WINTER
2022

 

Table setting for parties

The party air is felt, the houses sparkle with lights, and Christmas becomes an opportunity to sit down at the table all together, sharing a moment of happiness. But the great feast symbol of coexistence and shared joy has always been lunch. It is the time of year when everyone tries to be at home because the joy is proportionate to sharing. In the past, holly with red berries or mistletoe with white berries hung over the table, ancient Celtic symbols, which could not be missing from the decorations, along with the comet, which everyone believed was present on Christmas Eve. 
In reality, even if the "Christmas lunch" is renewed every year, its modalities, its "apparatus" have changed a lot over time, but the fact remains that it is the period celebrated with joy and hope in practically everything. the world and, despite the diversity of symbols, rites and gastronomic specialties that various peoples reserve for these particular days of the year, the pleasure of celebrating with special lunches and dinners and the joy of exchanging gifts remain common to all wish them well. There are also "signs" that characterize the solemnities of the end of the year: bread, fire, light (which the copious ornamental candles lit all over the period well represent). 
As Italian lovers of good food, many are also deciding on the Christmas menu, but to create the right atmosphere and give a special touch to the home, the importance of a good, well-set table should not be underestimated. 
Setting the table is an art and, in this period, more than ever, it needs more attention, because it transforms the meeting with family and friends into a party of lights and colors. 
The element par excellence that cannot be missing and that requires particular care is the centerpiece, made with candlesticks, evergreen branches, pine cones, colored balls, and from there, then off to the placemarks, napkin holders, and everything that can be used to decorate your table in style. 
Forest green, gold, silver, or red, the colors are important, but let's remember that the Christmas table is not complete without a centerpiece. Already in the distant past, in Roman times, decorations created with plants, leaves, and vases were arranged in the center of the table. On the contrary, during the Middle Ages, the table of the aristocrats was so full of food that it was not conceivable to place an ornamental centerpiece, which instead appeared in the Renaissance to give a touch of prestige to the tables of the nobility. The vertical centerpiece made its entrance between the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries: at that time scenographic stands were used, such as the very French épergne, with baskets to contain fruit and sweets. 
Nowadays, the Advent wreath shines on many Christmas tables, a typical decoration of the tradition of Anglo-Saxon and Germanic countries. It is said that it was conceived - around the middle of the nineteenth century - by the Protestant pastor Johann Hinrich Wichern with the admirable purpose of putting it up for sale and with the proceeds to make it possible to train children and young people in need. 
Beyond traditions, to make the Christmas mise en place festive just be creative, choose a combination of colors and then play with flowers, fruit, candles, plants, elves, snowmen, bows, branches, and berries ... everything is fine. 
Of course, without forgetting the auspicious symbols, such as cinnamon sticks which, tied together with a packing cord, can be used as place cards. As well as the pomegranate, a symbol of fertility and abundance since ancient times, ideal for creating refined table decorations, or to be placed on plates after writing the name of each diner with a golden marker. Or like the holly, considered sacred by the early Christians because its thorny leaves recall the crown of thorns of Jesus and the red berries refer to his blood. This beautiful shrub populates our Holidays giving a touch of elegance to the garlands placed on the Christmas table or hung on the entrance doors. And finally, there is another Christmas symbol of good luck not to be forgotten: the mistletoe, which the Celts believed to be given by the Gods because it had no roots. A twig as a sign of good wishes will have to complete our centerpiece. 

And for the New Year's Eve dinner? 

Elegance, refinement, and glamor at the top are the essential ingredients for an end-of-year party worthy of ending in the annals. After all, the mise en place for the New Year's Eve dinner is for the home what the outfit is for the guests: an opportunity to show your best. 
For lovers of tradition, of an elegant and refined style who do not like to dare with themed, original, and hyper-colored tables, gold, silver, white and black are the most suitable colors for the New Year's table. Gold is the color of light, of the sun and above all, it recalls wealth and prosperity. The same goes for silver. 
The musts of a self-respecting New Year's table are the centerpieces, place cards, candles, and decorations with which to personalize the mise en place. Four elements that you can choose to buy or make yourself, but all of which must correspond to a unique theme. 
The decorations must be proportionate to the size of the table, not too many or too few. Sprigs, mistletoe, fruit, and candles can be used to add color and movement. Finally, the mise en place is very important. The main choice is between tablecloth or runner. 
Place cards are an often-overlooked element, but they actually represent a successful mise en place, together with the centerpiece, since it will be the first thing guests will notice and will be the element that will communicate the theme chosen for the decorations.

Credits to Candidowedding

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