Holiday Tablescapes and Festive Decorating Ideas
With Christmas and the New Year rapidly approaching we play on diverse cultural traditions to help you create memorable tables and spaces that reflect the spirit of the Season.
There is a popular Filipino Christmas song whose lyrics translate as:
No matter what happens,
As long as love reigns in our hearts,
Christmas will still go on
What an apt sentiment for an unusual year when we have put our lives on hold in order to keep ourselves and our loved ones safe from the danger of illness!
But it is true: history has shown that the celebration of Christmas and the coming of the New Year – both of which promise joy, love, and hope for better things to come – have never truly been stopped by anything, and 2020 should be no different. Indeed, we at PORTORO present a selection of beautiful ideas that will bring a warm and happy glow to your Holiday tables and living spaces, each of which was inspired by the timeless traditions of our team’s diverse cultural backgrounds.
Advent Wreaths Make Splendid Centrepieces
Wreaths are one of the most frequently seen decorations during the Yuletide Season – and with good reason. In the Christian tradition, there is the practice of lighting an Advent Wreath every Sunday of the four weeks leading up to Christmas, with each candle representing hope, love, joy, and peace. Indeed, you can turn this into a ceremonial centrepiece for a living room coffee table or dining table. Likewise, in a more secular fashion, wreaths are a charming and welcoming accent for your front door.
Lanterns and Candles for Festive Lighting
In Switzerland, we have what are called räbeliechtli or beetroot lanterns where large beets are hollowed out and carved with intricate patterns that glow ethereally when a lit candle is placed within. While you may not find the notion of carving out your own lanterns appealing, there is something about the warmth these little lights bring to the Holiday table.
As an alternative, you may choose to use beautifully patterned Carlo Moretti glasses as candleholders which will cast an equally warm glow and playful shadows that will make for a charming scene.
Likewise, putting a parol – one of those colourful Filipino lanterns – in the window of your front room also adds colour and character to your home.
Murano glasses by Carlo Moretti do double-duty as candleholders
Seasonal fruit makes an excellent centerpiece or place setting accent
Serve a Selection of Sumptuous Sweets
Holiday sweets are one of the most notable traditions of Christmas in Europe where the days leading up to the last two weeks of the year are characterised by baking dozens upon dozens of biscuits and little cakes, brewing sweet and spicy Glühwein [Deutsch/Romansche: mulled wine / wine boiled with spices and sweeteners such as rock sugar or honey], and a flurry of candymaking that results in truffles and bonbons for young and old alike.
In order to tempt even the most picky of eaters, sweets can be presented in various elegant ways. For example, the Festa lacquer tray can be loaded up with small jars featuring different niceties such as candied nuts, rich dried fruits like dates and figs, and mendiants [Fr.: coin-sized discs of dark chocolate studded with almonds, walnuts, and dried fruit] and placed on a coffee table or a sideboard as a welcoming gesture for visitors. Grapefruit service plates from Limoges can be used to serve 8”-cakes, pies, or tortes, serving as a clean backdrop for the rich pastry. In old-fashioned homes, tiered epergnes are used to serve a variety of desserts, placing a different type in each layer.
Served with fresh or dried orange slices, hot and spiced Glühwein warms guests up on cold evenings
Marzipan-filled Stollen is a delectable addition to a banquet of sweets
Champagne Bubbles for Brighter Beginnings
What are the Holidays without a crystal flute filled with sparkling wine to usher in a New Year? You may opt to be traditional and pour your bubbly into standard flutes, or go totally eclectic and use different flutes to reflect your guests’/family’s personalities. Either way, Champagne coasters and table napkins are a must to add some festive flair.
Decadent Table Settings
Even in these stressed-out times, you can soothe your nerves by adding an opulent touch to your dining table.
Using Grapefruit service plates, you can create table settings that are a study in decadent contrast: choose richly-coloured table napkins and placemats in bold or dark reds, napkin rings in silver or gold, heavy traditional silverware, and either Baccarat or gold-dabbed Murano goblets for sheer magnificence.
For a truly grand centrepiece, place seasonal fruits such as deep-red apples and fresh citrus together with nuts and whole spices like cinnamon sticks, nutmegs, and staranise on a silver salver as an expression of plenty.
Ensuring that everything on the table is perfect is every hostess' responsibility
Wintery accents such as berries and pine cones bring a sylvan charm to the table
Make Your Tablescapes Snowy White
Winter decorating can also play up the glamorous side of simplicity. Here, our beautifully embroidered Peony table linens can serve as a snowy-white backdrop for our Limoges service plates, glittering silverware, and drinking glasses or goblets with strong yet simple lines.
Decorate with Holiday Evergreens
Along with wreaths and the traditional tree, add a green touch to the public spaces of your home by swagging fir or pine boughs. Smaller arrangements decorated with candles, ribbons, and extra tree ornaments also add festiveness to side tables.
Each place setting should help guests feel welcome and relaxed at your table
