How to set a table for Christmas - how to serve a table
Christmas is the oldest was not only a church, but also a national holiday. He continues to remain even in our enlightened days one of the most revered and at the same time beloved religious light festivals for many people. According to the Orthodox tradition in Russia, it is celebrated according to the Julian calendar - from 6 to 7 January. In other countries, where it is customary to use the Gregorian calendar, among Catholics and Protestants, it is celebrated on December 24-25.
Folk customs brought to us a reminder that the Christmas holiday was always considered a family celebration, an occasion to gather all the relatives at the table and imbued with the magic atmosphere of the mystery of the birth of God's Son. It always united and deeply believing people and converts, those who first joined the atmosphere of the great twelve-day festival.
On November 28, all believers begin to adhere to the Christmas fast, which ends on Christmas Eve, on the evening of January 6.How to set the table for Christmas, following the traditions? Starting in the morning on this day you need to cook ostrovo or kutya - the main dish of the Christmas table. It is a porridge cooked from wheat with honey, fruits and nuts. It is not possible to eat tightly this evening - according to the Orthodox canons, the post is still going on. Until the first star, symbolizing the Bethlehem miracle of the birth of the Savior, it is strictly forbidden to eat any food. The menu on Christmas Eve should only be lean! According to church rules only fish, seafood, low-fat pastries, mushrooms, vareniki, dishes from vegetables, sauerkraut and other products are allowed. Meat delicacies: Christmas goose, duck, turkey and chicken, baked with apples, sauerkraut or porridge, may be served January 7 in the afternoon for decay.
How to serve a Christmas table on Christmas Eve
Christmas symbols are used to reflect the essence of this bright family holiday. It is unlikely that any of the modern housewives will put hay or straw under the tablecloth at the corners of the table or put cloves of garlic there. Rather, it will turn its attention when serving the harmony of the color of the tablecloth and the decor, in which the meaning of the holiday will be read.
The main Christmas colors are white, scarlet, yellow-gold, green and blue. White color was always considered the main color, as it was associated with the divine light. Red - symbolized the joy of the birth and resurrection of Jesus. The golden yellow color, or royal, was associated with the soul and well-being, and the green color was always used as a symbol of eternal life. Many housewives use a blue tablecloth or dishes as a symbol of purity and spiritual purity when serving a festive table on Christmas Eve. Before you set the table for Christmas, you need to decide on the range of shades to visually not overload it.
Elegant and at the same time simple it can be a variant combining a white starched tablecloth, the same napkins and greenery: coniferous twigs, spruce paws or beloved by everyone punchetiu - "Christmas star" in the center of the table. Greens can be placed beautifully in a conventional glass container closer to the composition with a flower. This decoration, together with a smart white tablecloth will create a joyful festive mood. A dark red tablecloth, so popular nowadays, with napkins decorated with snowflakes, will give solemnity and nobility to the holiday. It is well harmonized: white, yellow or decorated with golden tinsel candles in forged candlesticks, a wreath of coniferous branches with cones. At the Christmas table, every housewife tries to put expensive dishes of crystal and porcelain.
And in memory of the symbols of Christmas, you can beautifully cut straw or white paper instead of natural hay, decorate the table with the figures of angels or, if there is no place to put them on the table, hang up the paper unearthly creatures on the thread.
The symbol of Catholic Christmas - ginger biscuits - can be prepared by yourself or replaced with Tula gingerbread. But they look a little heavier than the traditional air delicacy.
Tips
If on New Year's holidays the mistresses try to surprise the guests with new dishes, then the family Christmas table on January 7 is traditional. Twelve dishes are served on it: pancakes, fish, roast goose, turkey, duck or chicken, stuffed with apples, cabbage or buckwheat porridge, young pig, jelly or jellied, homemade sausage, roast with mushrooms and pastries: honey cakes, rolls withpoppy and honey, different rolls, pies and cookies. Before you set the table for Christmas, you must necessarily prepare a rich kutyu( osobovo) and Uzvar.
The recipe for a knot is simple: for a couple of liters of boiling water you need to take 0.5 kg of any dried fruits and bring them to a boil, adding 50 g of honey bee. Once again bring to a boil, but do not cook( !) And cool. Serve on a table in a decanter or clay jug.
Traditional osovo is prepared from wheat, but today the rice kutya is popular. Recipes for their preparation are identical: 200 grams of rice or wheat, 100 g of confectionery poppy, 1 glass of any peeled walnuts( walnuts, almonds, peanuts or hazelnuts), 50-100 g of honey( to taste), raisins 50 grams or a quarter cup. You can add fresh cream, candied fruit. Grain to rinse, pour cold water in proportion: one part of the grains - two parts of water. Cook until done. Then drain and cool. Poppy pour boiling water and boil until it gets friable. Then it needs to be scrolled in the meat grinder. Raisins also soak hot water. Mix all ingredients and serve to the table.
At the Christmas table it is not customary, as at the New Year's Eve, to treat guests to champagne. Begin the meal usually with three spoons of kutya, which symbolize tribute to the Holy Trinity. And at the table in a warm and friendly atmosphere congratulate each other, they lead calm, leisurely conversations, give pre-prepared gifts and enjoy the comfort of the home.