Italian food is very popular with us, so it is often served at our table. But how about decorating the table to match? It immediately gives the meal a bit of holiday flair; here are a few ideas:
Table decoration with artichokes for an Italian meal
What is needed
- possibly packing paper
- white dishes
- white napkins
- Large artichokes, quantity depending on table length
- Terracotta pots suitable for the artichokes
- Ivy, herb sprigs (thyme, rosemary, oregano, basil, etc.)
- garlic bulbs
- possibly tealights
The table
An elegant wooden table is best as a base; if you don't have one, you can simply cover the table with packing paper.
Dishes and napkins
The dishes should be rather simple and white, as should the napkins.
The center of the table
Large artichokes reign in the center of the table. Place the artichokes in matching, attractive terracotta pots. To make sure they really peek nicely out of the pot, fill the pot with soil. Let a little ivy or herbs (e.g. sprigs of thyme, rosemary, oregano, basil and/or sage, etc.) wind their way between the pots. Place a garlic bulb here and there in between; this loosens up the whole arrangement a little.
You can also make matching tealights out of the artichokes: to do this, hollow out an artichoke so that a tealight in a candle glass fits into the top.
Table decoration for an Italian buffet
What is needed
- Plastic film sheets, green, white and red
- herb pots
- Bowls with tomatoes and olives
- Lemons and artichokes
The buffet table
Cover the buffet table with plastic film sheets in green, white and red (available in department stores). Place the herb pots and bowls with tomatoes and olives between the dishes. Simply scatter the artichokes and lemons in between; this gives the whole thing a southern touch.
Dishes and napkins
There are no limits when it comes to the decoration here. Very nice napkins with Mediterranean motifs are already available to buy. Embellish these with small accessories, and they will make even paper plates shine.
Napkin rings made from pasta
I find this option very original:
What you’ll need:
- cord (green, red or white)
- tube-shaped pasta (e.g. penne, macaroni, etc.) or bow-tie pasta
Thread the tube-shaped pasta onto the cord to the desired length and tie it around the rolled-up napkin. Knot the bow-tie pasta together to the desired length and tie it around the napkin.
Put together Italian napkins yourself
What you’ll need:
- red, green and white napkins
- napkin ring
If you can't find suitably striped napkins, you can also make them yourself: simply buy green, white and red ones separately. Roll the three colors together, always slightly offset, so that you can see all three colors clearly, and secure them with a napkin ring.
Napkin ring with herb sprig
What you’ll need:
- Napkin
- Satin cord
- Herb sprig (e.g.: thyme)
This napkin ring is created in no time. Fold the napkin into a rectangle, place the herb sprig on it and secure it with the ribbon.
Don't forget the candles, because with such a cozy ambiance, people like to linger!
Read also:Â Recipe pasta with tomato and spinach sauce
Photo by Sabine, meinhaushalt.at
Since I also cook a lot of Italian food, I often think about the decorations too. By now I've settled on a very simple but very popular solution: simply scatter lots of Baci chocolates over the table. The silver packaging always fits, and in my experience, guests like to snack on them now and then. You can get them at all Italian supermarkets, now even at Metro. Cantuccini also look good, but then put a tablecloth underneath. Ciao.