If you are planning to host Easter, here a few helpful hints on elegantly setting your table and creating a beautiful ambiance for your guests to enjoy. And remember, you don’t have to cook everything, asks your guests to help if they offer, and buy what you can, and of course make the rest and hopefully refer to my recipes!!
First, it helps to establish a theme for your table setting. This year for me it was a blue and yellow color theme which included a gorgeous paisley blue linen, yellow flowers. lemons (I always add an earthy touch), and blue napkins with yellow flower napkin rings. You can do a floral theme, any color theme, an earthy theme, or any combination there of! Next, pick out a linen that will provide a nice backdrop for your chargers/dishes and glasses. A crisp white pressed linen is always a great idea. Then think about the vibe of the table: formal/semi-formal/casual/kid-friendly. In this case, I chose a semi-formal table setting as I combined both my daily dinnerware along side my china (as they coordinated well), and I will use my good crystal stemware which has a gold rim. My silverware is relatively new and sparkling, so I don’t need to take out the fine silver, too much work. I could even do a gold-platted stemware to match with my yellow (and blue) theme.
For a more formal setting you may add a champagne flute which retains the carbonation from a sparkling wine or champagne along with a water glass and a wine glass. Technically speaking, if you want to offer red wine it should be offered in a glass with a wider bowl and opening for sipping and proper aeration. White wine can be served in your standard U- shaped wine glass. In the case of formal dining, use your china and very sparkly silverware – which don’t necessarily have to match, but does have to coordinate well. As an added touch you may want to have a name card at everyone’s place setting.
For a kid-friendly vibe anything goes, but do use glass versus plastic when setting the table. The kids will get used to it, but opt for lower glasses if possible, no stemware. Also bold color themes with kids can be fun: red, pinks, yellows.
I will typically place my serving platters on the table in advance and figure out what I can fit and where. Sometimes I’ll label the platter or bowl, and it helps me to remember what goes in it! I also place in each bowl or on each platter a serving spoon or fork. As a host you are pulled in many different directions, so make things easy for yourself. I usually put the kids in charge of serving water and filing up everyone’s glass. My husband will typically pour the wine. Delegate what you can!
Next, be sure you have seating for all of your guests. This is always the biggest challenge. If you don’t like a hodgepodge look buy nice folding chairs for your parties so you always have them OR you can rent them. I have done that and then all the chairs are the same. The table is so elegant when all the chairs match in my opinion, but it is an added expense.
Floral arrangements can be low so everyone can see across the table. Just go in your garden pick a few flowers or if you are going with an earthy vibe, cut some greens from the garden or buy some fresh herbs and place in clear mason jars and add a ribbon that accents the colors on the table. The table will smell so good!
Most of all, enjoy your guests and your holiday. Wishing you all a very Happy Easter and for those of you who celebrating Passover – Happy Passover! xo Mary