Christmas is one of the most important times for Catholics and for Western culture. It is the moment when we gather the family and decorate the house with themes alluding to the season. Despite different traditions and styles, for many, Christmas is synonymous with a full table and family gatherings, which is why the “table” takes center stage during this season.
As it is such a special moment of togetherness that everyone looks forward to, this is the time to display your most valuable and beautiful pieces, which are only used on special occasions, creating a more classic and refined decoration. However, gone are the days when Christmas Eve tables had to be decorated with lavish pieces dominated by gold and red. Today, the criteria are increasingly flexible, and a beautiful table can be within everyone’s reach.
While it is important to maintain a balance between the color palettes and textures of the table and the rest of the space’s decor, including the Christmas decorations, we can also use more original colors and details. When decorating your Christmas Eve table, you should include the following elements: centerpieces, candles, candlesticks, napkin rings, and place markers.
For centerpieces, you can create organic tables using natural elements such as: wood, moss, lichens, flowers (leucadendron), fruits (pomegranate, walnuts, hazelnuts), eucalyptus leaves, olive branches, fir branches, holly (Ilex aquifolium), vine branches, pine cones, cinnamon sticks, and Ilex verticillata branches. Depending on the region of the country, you can vary these based on what can be found in the forests, pine groves, and agricultural fields. Candles are very important and should not be forgotten, as they add a touch of magic and sparkle.
Regarding colors, the classics are red and green. Red is a warm color representing love and joy—characteristics that prevail on this date when everyone is in communion—and green represents hope. Also widely used at this time are white (peace, purity, and union), gold, and silver, which represent wisdom, as well as the brightness of the stars and the sun. However, you can also opt for other colors, such as neutral tones: beige, brown, and gray, which always look good and provide a refined and different atmosphere.
© Photographs via rtp.pt
In addition to the decoration and these aesthetic details, there is the functional part. Since these meals consist of a wide range of dishes, if the main table doesn’t have enough space, you should ensure there is a support area for platters, etc., which could be a sideboard, a smaller table, etc. The way the table is set also has some rules. A “formal table” should follow a few rules:
– Plates should be placed about one centimeter from the edge of the table;
– The order of the cutlery follows the order in which the dishes are served, from the outside in (starter, soup, fish, and meat);
– Glasses are placed on the right side above the cutlery, following the order in which the dishes are served. The water glass is the tallest, followed by the red wine glass, and finally the white wine glass.
If you are serving Champagne or sparkling wine, you can place the flute between the water glass and the red wine glass. The aperitif glass is the first one on the right. If you wish to toast with Port wine at the end of the meal, place it behind the white wine glass.
– The bread plate should be placed on the upper left side of the plate, above the napkin, with the butter knife;
– Salad can be served on a crescent-shaped plate or a small plate to the left of the main plate.
Decoration project authorship
Vera Quintas is an Agricultural Engineer and Interior Designer
in the Projects and Outdoor Works Department of Horto do Campo Grande
© Companhia das Cores for Horto do Campo Grande
