Deck the halls with boughs of holly! Falalalalalala!” In the Philippines, come September, Christmas carols already start to infuse the air as well as festive décor. It starts with some faux snow on the panes of store windows and evolves throughout the season into a full-blown Christmas wonderland. There’s no doubt about it: we Filipinos definitely love Christmas. But it’s not just the kitschy songs or the tinsel-covered trees that we love, it’s the fact that it’s the season to celebrate the two things dearest to us — God and family. We at Modern Living TV felt that there is no better place to give thanks and share this Christmas spirit but around the table.
Modern Living TV is back and for our pilot episode of the second season, we jumped right into the holiday bandwagon — or perhaps even more fitting — Santa’s sleigh! We covered everything, from holiday décor to table settings and even sharing a few recipes for an easy cocktail party at home.
What I love the most about dressing up one’s home and table for the season is that it is always a reflection of your personality and style. One could have a glam Christmas or a traditional one, one setting could be more kid-friendly and the other much more luxe. Here are some of MLTV’s suggestions and guidelines for themed décor and even some dishes you could serve up!
• Traditional Christmas: Holly, mistletoe and poinsettias! Definitely stick to palettes of red and green; rather than going for the vibrant versions, go for more lush and deeper tones such as forest green and burgundy. Try to keep things as natural looking as possible. Accent with pinecones and cinnamon sticks. You may also add touches of brushed matte gold to brighten everything. Think roast turkey and stuffing!
• Winter wonderland: This is all about a gorgeous blanket of white snow. Snowflakes, silver, white and crystal. Look for dainty and pretty elements. Delicate glass ornaments, some beadwork and, above all, crisp bright white. You could go for an all-white table setting with lots of beautiful white candles with varying heights on silver holders and strew some silver confetti on your table. Scallops in a beautiful beurre blanc would be stunning in this theme.
• Contemporary Christmas: Keep the lines clean and minimalist. Choose more architectural and structural décor and allow it to stand on its own. It may be a beautiful brass centerpiece or a Lucite Christmas tree. Keep the palette in different shades of grey with some white and touches of copper or brass for warmth. Look to the east with this theme with some Asian flavors, notably Japanese kaiseki style plating and allow the food to be the color.
• Sweets and Santa: The most kid-friendly theme possible! Go all out with your Christmas mascots and whimsical elements — Santa, Rudolph, elves and snowmen! Use bright red, dark green and some lime green accenting with candy canes and red and white stripes. Use fun illustrations, patterned plates and practically anything that makes you feel like a child again! How about some kid-friendly food as well? Luxe homemade mac and cheese with truffle and pancetta perhaps?
• Rustic chic: Images of log cabins covered in icicles, warm fires and a cozy blanket. Choose pieces with lots of wood as well as elements that remind you of the forest — antlers, birds, snow-covered pinecones. Look for soft sweater materials like cable knit in heather grey and beige and add some eucalyptus foliage. A beautiful wild boar stew with roasted vegetables served with some rich red wine.
• Royal jewels: Jewel tones such as deep sapphire blue, emerald green, ruby red and striking amethyst offset with gold and silver. Choose ornate ornaments with embroidery or purples and lush fabrics such as velvet and silk. Take inspiration from Czarist Russia and Fabergé eggs or perhaps a maharajah’s palace. Try to keep the colors rich but not too vibrant and choose the finest flatware with gilt edges. Paisley also works well. Definitely some foie gras and perhaps a crisp seared duck breast or some roasted quail.
• Paskong Pinoy: Use succulents for greenery and ornaments made of local fibers such as abaca and materials like capiz. Decorate with homemade banderitas in festive colors and, of course, parols of all kinds! Don’t forget a beautiful belen. Use wood and banana leaves to serve up your favorite noche buena dishes with the star of course being the famous lechon.