Our Christmas table is full —of memories and surprises

Another Christmas Eve is coming and we’re craving the same holiday dishes and treats that we have always looked forward to since childhood. The Christmas table need not be same old, same old, however. One of the greatest gifts you can give your loved ones is an imaginatively set table that sets the mood for sharing a sumptuous meal on this most joyous day of the year.

How to begin? First, start with a clear mind and a heart filled with generosity. Take time out from the stress of shopping and gift-wrapping to sit down and give your table setting some thought with the goal of creating a meaningful and most extraordinary evening.

Choose a centerpiece or theme

What would you like to be the center of attention? It could be an heirloom centerpiece of crystal and silver or a favorite sculpture. It could even be gorgeous shells you acquired from last summer’s holiday. A recent acquisition always deserves pride of place like when we found the candelabra of our dreams — a pair of herons that were perfect with our old palm tree and ostrich fruit bowl.

If you look around the house, you will surely find something to inspire you. Once, we found it in the garden — a pair of bronze deer by the pond that had already acquired a beautiful patina, which dictated the theme and color scheme of the table.

Bring out the finest linen

Only the finest linen can make a dinner truly special. Neutrals in white, cream and beige make it easy to play around with the other components that make up the table but you can always pull some surprises like choosing special embroidery to complement the theme.

With our silver heron candlesticks, we tried to keep everything organic with flowers and foliage, so we used our tablecloth with embroidered flowers and ferns. 

Nautilus shell centerpieces go well with coral branch embroidery. If neutrals are too boring for you, you can have a first layer tablecloth of a solid color like olive with the beige embroidered table cloth over it and you can gather the corners tied with ribbons for a more festive look that also allows the green color to peep out. If you’re bolder, you can even have a first layer of stripes and the second top layer in a rich velour, brocade or tapestry that you can finish with corded fringes and passementerie.

Match and mismatch the china, silver and crystal

Do justice to the culinary creations that you slaved for in the kitchen by serving them in exquisite china. The patterns shouldn’t be too busy so that the food is still the star. Subtle patterns like florid scrolls or leaves can complement the embroidery of the table cloth as well as the centerpiece and flowers.  To keep it interesting, you can mismatch your silver and crystal. We usually combine the silver we inherited from our respective families so that both the “T” and “V” engraved monograms are visible in each place setting.

For the dessert service, Victorian cutlery with antique mother of pearl or ivory makes a nice counterpoint. We also mismatch the crystal, using a different style for each type of wine.

For another twist, introduce another material like horn for condiments or a jade bowl for the sorbet. You can also use accouterments in alternative ways. Domed butter dishes make the amuse bouche even more astonishing when one has to lift the lid for the delights that await.

Dress up the table with flowers and fruits

It’s the season of plenty so you can go overboard with your floral arrangements. Aside from flowers, add leaves, ferns, berries and fruits for a truly lush setting. To cover more ground and for varied textures, you can use flower petals. 

Even vegetables can be your friends here. When we ran out of foliage, parsley and malunggay did wonders and our cook was able to use them for the next day’s tinola and pasta sauce. They also came in handy for creating garlands that are indispensible for that holiday feeling. Don’t forget to embellish the chandelier too: You can add light asparagus vines and a few berries that bring a jubilant air aside from casting enchanting patterns on the table.

Add a personal touch to each place setting

You can make each loved one feel more special by adding a personal touch meant just for him or her. This could be in the form of a personalized mini flower arrangement which you can make in a small silver sugar pot or creamer (another alternative use for traditional pieces) or in the form of a jewel box with a gift inside like a necklace or earrings for daughters and cufflinks for sons.

There are jewel boxes in enamel and crystals in the form of insects which can go well with a flora and fauna theme or shells for a seaside theme. You can also use figurines like Moors with baskets presenting the precious gift. It doesn’t even have to be jewelry. It can be a handwritten card or letter with your heartfelt thoughts, which is the most precious of all since it requires your time and care, a gesture of love and generosity that are the greatest gifts one can give during this season of abundance.

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