Why Should One Bother to Set the Table?

I'm sure that this is a question that you'd ask yourself if you're used to opening the fridge and eating directly from it, standing there as you devour whatever strikes your fancy. 

In Italy, and in my family, we have reasons for sitting down together at the table to enjoy a meal together. These include:

1). Sitting and eating food calmly and slowly while in the company of others helps us to digest our food better.

2). Chatting with your family as you eat improves the relationship you have with your family members. It improves the conversation and the understanding of one another (especially if there is a large generation gap) and helps give meaning to the day.

3). A well-prepared table with food that is presented in an attractive manner improves the desire to eat and it also helps picky eaters or the younger family members who aren't so fond of trying new things. One always eats with their eyes first, and then with the mouth. (we all know the saying "a feast for the eyes!")

4). With a beautifully prepared table improves the esthetic sense of those sitting at it. Beautiful surroundings make for a more beautiful life!

Special Occasions Call for Special Tables!

Naturally I realize that the every day table will not be set in a fancy, extravagant way, but there are some simple and inexpensive ways to make the every day table setting have special meaning.

Birthdays, special occasions or holidays - such as Easter - are great occasions to prepare the table with extra special touches. 

In just a few short weeks, Easter will be upon us. In Italy, this religious holiday is also a great opportunity to celebrate one's family, and it helps us to bring everyone together around the table to eat a special meal. This time of year, nature begins to provide us with many wild herbs and certain vegetables, and even chickens produce the highest amount of eggs during this time of year. Flowers are also beginning to bloom in the gardens and on the balconies of adorned homes, which provide a unique inspiration to the style of table that I set. 

A simple yet elegant Easter table setting with daffodil centerpiece.
A Easter table is prepared for four guests, but you can easily adapt this concept for a larger table.

The colors of the food are enhanced by the accessories used for this simple Easter table setting!
Daffodil centerpiece, white plates, gold silverware, cloth napkin, water glass with green rim, tulip-shaped wine glass, handmade name card, torta salata and hard boiled eggs.

A torta salata with mixed greens and hard boiled eggs sits on a cake stand. Hard boiled eggs are a symbol of the Easter luncheon.
The delicious torta salata is filled with mixed greens and hard boiled eggs are baked in.

A delicious slice of torta salata
A delicious slice of torta salata. Notice how the colors of the food are enhanced by accessories that share the same tones. 

Tiramisu is conveniently made as a single portion, so that serving during your busy luncheon is a breeze.
 

The Tiramisu can easily be removed from the glass and placed on a plate. Don't forget to sprinkle on some cocoa powder for decoration and flavor!
A delicious slice of homemade (and authentically Italian!) tiramisu.

The Table Cloth - I used a linen that was made by an old weaving mill in Friuli. The natural colors strengthen the concept of "nature awakening" which is clearly happening right now during the Easter season!

Plates - White plates are traditional and give light to the table.

Glasses - The glasses used are transparent with a green border, which recall the greenness of the grass and fields. There are also wine glasses with a tulip-like silhouette. Quite appropriate for the lovely spring theme we have!

Napkins - These are made of cotton and feature a floral pattern with tone-on-tone coloring.

Silverware - The silverware are gold to give solemnity to the Easter festivities and to enhance the yellow of the centerpiece. 

Centerpiece - The centerpiece is consists of daffodils that are sitting in a simple square glass vase. I picked the daffodils from my garden.

Don't Forget the Name Cards!

This simple name card is made from a rectangular piece of paper folded in half with hand written name and little chicken decal.

When you have an important or special dinner, it's always nice to have name cards so that your guests know where to sit. I made these by hand with paper some paper and an orange hen decal.

You'll also notice at the center of the table that there is a bowl with hens and roosters and hard boiled eggs, which represent the traditional Italian Easter.

On the plates you'll see: spinach quiche with ricotta cheese, a piece of cheese and an egg that is wrapped in pastry dough. These could be served as an appetizer (in small portions) or as the main meal (in larger portions) if one is preparing a quick meal.

*This article has been translated and edited by Rachel Rushing (blog contributor).