The ultimate holiday feeling at home part 1: Tableware and table set up

When we can’t travel to the Caribbean, the Caribbean will travel to us! The ultimate holiday feeling at home…

At the Caribbean

We are stuck. Stuck in our city. Stuck inside our house. And so also stuck at our country. We don’t know when we are allowed to travel again due to the COVID-19 pandemic. That’s why I start this brand new topic on this travel blog: The Ultimate Holiday Feeling At Home! Coming weeks and maybe months I will give you tips and tricks to bring the Caribbean at your house. Without traveling, without spending your spare vacation days, without grabbing a flight or even pack your bags. So sit down and relax! Let your holiday feeling starts now.

Start easy: tableware

What is the best way to start something new? Indeed! Start easy… And when I bring that ultimate holiday feeling to your house, I mean it literally. Bring in the color! Do you remember your last holiday at one of the Caribbean Islands? Except from the sun, the sea and the sand (and of course the company), what do you remember? The happiness and the happy feeling around you I suppose. At least that’s what sticks with me when I think of the Caribbean.

That’s why I started collecting wonderful colored tableware in my kitchen cupboards. As soon as the sun starts to shine I bring them out and start using them. Tablecloths, place mats, glasses and jars and even napkins. Everywhere I came and where I saw nice colored or cheerful looking tableware, I bought it. That way I am able to create a Caribbean lunch or dinner at home without having to travel or going to a restaurant.

Next: what do you need to set up the table

First things first. Starting with a table set up. I was lucky when taking the pictures for this blog as it was such a sunny day! Therefore I was able to set up the table outside. First I put down the cushions: I put white ones and colored ones in each chair. Actually, you can put any color of cushions in the chairs as long as they fit your theme!

Tablecloth & Place mats

Next stop is getting yourself a nice colored tablecloth. I prefer a uni color cloth. That’s easy to match. But sometimes I use a multi colored one as well, depending the mood I’m in. You can choose a cloth as big as your table. The kind of traditional way to set up the table. Or you can choose a more playful effect and use a shorter one. I used a square one that’s smaller than my table.

Time to brighten up the table by placing extra place mats on the tablecloth. Why? Because it’s adding that extra touch to your table set up. In this case more is more…. the more color, the more joy!

I found these lovely rattan place mats during one of my holidays. I bought them years ago and they still ‘survive’. They match every event, from stylish to funny, from Caribbean to Apres Ski.

Glasses & Napkins

Basic utilities when having a lunch or dinner? Glasses and napkins. When having the right kind of glasses you are halfway there. What about jars as glasses? Combined with colored (reusable) straws? That looks really great on the table. Especially when you put a delicious cocktail in it.

Finish your set up with napkins in all available colors and sizes. With tropical prints of flowers, fruit, animals, drinks. Anything will do. It really gives your table that special look. You can put larger ones on the table to be used during lunch or dinner. And use smaller ones for the appetizers you will serve. Or make a mix and match of it!

Setting up the table

Have you found all the kitchen and tableware utensils you need? Time to put them on the table. Start with the tablecloth and put the place mats on it. Continue with your crockery and cutlery. It doesn’t matter if they are not the same shapes or sizes. That makes it extra Caribbean. Don’t worry, be happy! Next thing is putting the napkins on their place: put it in a glass, place it under a plate or on the side of the plate. Do you have napkin rings? Use them! It looks great and cozy. And that’s what you want to create: a cozy table with a Caribbean touch for a nice moment with your family or friends.

Curious about how it worked out with my table? Check the picture below!

You will notice that I added lots of accessories like candle, candle holders filled with a piece of colored fabric (of course without a candle) and butterfly clips. As an addition to these accessories you can search your garden (if you have one) or a garden center to buy some nice leaves or flowers to put on the table. Or you can buy reusable ones as decoration. I decided that I had to stop decorating at this point. I knew what kind of appetizers and dishes I was going to prepare and I needed lots of room on the table.

At last but not at least…

Do you want to go all the way to get that ultimate holiday feeling at home? Then dress like you are on holiday! Put on that fancy summer dress or linen pants, those large sunglasses and that massive sunhat. And ask your family or friends who are joining you to do the same. Serve some tasty cocktails, Caribbean appetizers and tropical dishes and the memories will last for ever.

Do you want to share your experiences and your adventures about ‘the ultimate holiday feeling at home’? I would love to hear from you via my social media platforms!

Enjoy!

PS: Do you need some inspiration of drinks or dishes? Come back on a regular base. I will soon post easy but oh so tasty recipes of Caribbean cocktails, drinks and dishes you can prepare at home.