Every year we gear up for Eid in the grandest manner possible. Those corners and nooks of our houses otherwise ignored throughout the year are dusted and cleaned, every piece of furniture is polished and curtains are washed; we not only deck up ourselves but our houses get the all-important annual makeover, all because it's Eid! Such is the fervour and excitement surrounding this holy festival.

The time-honoured tradition of dusting out the old to make way for new is put into full force during this time of the year. While the rest of the house provides the much-needed backdrop for the merrymaking, most people will agree that it is the dining space that really brings everything together. Setting the tone for all the festivities, the dining table is quite easily the epicentre of the festival. We Bengalis are jovial gourmands by nature, and the measure of successful Eid celebrations in every household is heavily dependent on the festive spread laid out on the dining table during this time!

A table laden with scrumptious, delectable dishes is essential for Eid. But a beautifully laid table that has interesting decorative elements further enhances the appeal of the entire setting, making eating and entertaining much more pleasurable. One does not need much to put together a pretty table. A few essentials such as table linens, elegant flatware and china and a few small details can make all the difference.

Firstly, decide on a theme. It will tie your ideas together and make your life easy. Choose a colour scheme: it could be metallic such as gold, copper, bronze or silver. Or primary colours such as red, yellow, green and blue are also good options. Alternatively, a beige or Devonshire cream backdrop plays very well with contrasting colours. Pick a table linen in the colour of your choice, to form the base. Apart from solid colours, prints are also a great option. For Eid gold and silver look festive and pretty, while rich, jewel tones such as ruby, emerald, sapphire and amethyst look elegant. Pretty florals, elegant stripes or small prints look very beautiful.

While choosing prints stay away from oversized flowers or patterns; they are overpowering and will ruin the whole look of your table. Next are the placemats and the runner. Rule of thumb states solid linen can take on both solid as well as printed placemats, while printed linens require solid ones. However, rules are meant to be broken. It is a wise idea to stick to either a similar colour palette or a contrasting one, maybe with prints.

But steer clear of colours, patterns and prints that are too jarring to the eyes or clash with each other. The goal is to make the combination look beautiful and provide a nice setting for the rest of the canvas, not become an eyesore for the diners! The runner should ideally match your placemats, but then life is too short for predictable combinations so go ahead and have fun with it! Different accents such as sequins, fur, velvet and beads add individuality to your table. Try sticking to colours that are in harmony.

Once you have chosen your basics, it is time to choose the china. Fine, eggshell bone china with gold rim is a classic choice as it works with a wide variety of colours. However, a plethora of designs are now available that work with different tastes and needs. Most households boast different patterns and dinner sets that work with different colour schemes, so pick one keeping the colour scheme of your basics in mind. You could also play with different materials such as ceramic, crystal and metal. Next, a silver or gold-plated flatware service is always elegant, but you could pick different materials and colours. 

Next up is the fun bit. Decorative elements such as cloth napkins and napkin holders are important details and should not be overlooked. Again, they must match the overall setting. Fresh floral arrangements bring vitality and life to the table. Don't settle for boring flowers; add glitter sticks, small pearls, ribbons and faux butterflies to take the arrangement to the next level.  However, the assemblage of flowers should not obstruct a diner's view.

Keep the size and width of your table in mind. For added sparkle, graceful candelabra or few slim candle stands are a fabulous option. Fairy lights also look elegant and bring added twinkle to the table. With these ideas in mind, let your creative juices flow, put together a fabulous tablescape for Eid this year and wow your guests not only with your culinary prowess but also your magnificent decorating skills!   

By Sabrina N Bhuiyan

Photo: LS Archive/Sazzad Ibne Sayed