Setting a stylish table for Idul Fitri

Maria Endah Hulupi, Contributor/Jakarta

========================================================== STANDFIRST: Although the Idul Fitri holiday is only a week away, there is still time to try something a bit different at your table this year -- and leave a lasting impression for your guests. ================================================================

At the end of the Ramadhan fasting month, Muslims across the world celebrate with a determination to strengthen ties with family and friends.

It is the tradition here to spend the occasion with family members in an intimate gathering, where younger members take turns asking for forgiveness from older ones before heading to the treats awaiting in the dining room.

They will include the holiday mainstay of ketupat -- rice cakes wrapped in woven coconut leaves -- and elaborate dishes, specially prepared using recipes handed down from generation to generation.

And a beautifully appointed table is just the right touch to feature the classic foods.

For this year's celebration, several hotels in Jakarta share some ideas for creating a memorable table settings. Each offers different themes to highlight the spirit of Idul Fitri, with styles ranging from traditional, Middle Eastern to versatile elegance for people expecting a varied group of visitors to come through their doors.

Two's Company: For an intimate celebration for two, Gran Melia Jakarta presents an elegant, "sparkling" table setting, with white and green as the main colors.

Assistant F&B director, Eduard R. Pangkerego, teamed up with Samuel Warello of El Canna florist to bring out the sparkling theme, using a string of silver and green crystal balls to create the desired effect.

The table is adorned with a small flower arrangement on a clean, crisp linen tablecloth with brown place mats. For the flower arrangement, the hotel uses white roses, baby's breath, twirling salix branches and different kinds of decorative leaves to give texture and color gradation.

"To maintain balance between the table and the decorative arrangement, we keep the arrangement small and use a glass pot. We covered the base of the pot with chunks of crystal ice and the oasis (the base of the arrangement) sits on top of it," explained Eduard.

The salix branches bear young, tender shoots which represent a new beginning in life, and ketupat made of lontar leaves are chosen to enhance the holiday cheer.

The hotel's florist, Nurlaila, designs a simple arrangement, including gerbera, James' story and florida beauty, in a small terra-cotta pot and uses it to decorate Idul Fitri hampers. The arrangement is put in a rattan basket or tray, with cookies and cakes placed around it. Later it can be used to decorate a coffee table.

Going Green: Shangri-La Jakarta opts for an elegant, predominantly green table setting.

Florist manager Budi Susanto, together with the F&B division, uses white Casablanca to symbolize purity and elegance. The white flowers and golden shower are beautifully placed among different kinds of decorative leaves in a low bowl.

Ketupat, a woven mat and marbles, spread on the table, are also used to add a traditional nuance to an overall versatile arrangement that, with a little adjustment, can be used for different occasions.

"The theme can be modified from romantic dining to an informal family gathering. For a romantic Idul Fitri, instead of the marbles, candles and rose petals can be scattered on the table," Budi said.

For the hotel's hampers, Budi strew golden shower and ketupat in a green woven basket. The use of batik for packaging accentuates the ethnic touch.

Eastern Promise: The Intercontinental Midplaza Jakarta offers a Middle Eastern-themed dining atmosphere with a low-key traditional air.

Sheer dark fabric is used to dress up a low round table with cushioned seats. A Middle Eastern traditional table mat is placed in the center, with tableware put atop it.

For added Middle Eastern flair, a shisha (water pipe) is put nearby. Each table has a candle inside a bowl to add flickering illumination, as well as a plate of assorted biscuits for guests to nibble on while chatting before enjoying a heavier meal.

Its traditional-style Idul Fitri table setting is decorated using only a single gerbera with ketupat in the center. The traditional theme is further enhanced with the use of a batik tablecloth and green striped place mats, resembling the motif of ketupat.

"We chose simplicity for the traditional-style setting," said the hotel's assistant F&B director Herman Kartaamidjaja. He added that gerbera and decorative ketupat were also used to decorate the hotel's hampers.

I box:

Getting it right on the big day

A table setting not only helps in creating the desired ambience for a celebration, but also makes the dining table the center of attention for all the guests. Of course, it takes careful planning so that things go off without a hitch.

Here are some things to consider when decorating the dining table. * Create the concept and/or the theme at least a week before the event. * Try to be innovative, and when doing it yourself try to keep the decorations simple. * Carefully choose the materials to bring out the desired theme. * Besides flowers and decorative leaves, ribbons, dried flowers or fruits and spices can also be used as the main features. They can be prepared days before the event. * Fresh cut flowers and decorative leaves can be bought and arranged a day ahead of the occasion. * Water the base of the flower arrangement twice a day, making sure to water the oasis to maintain its freshness as long as possible (usually a flower arrangement lasts around three days). * Keep the arrangement neat by removing any wilted petals or leaves. * Use vintage items -- fabrics or tableware -- to add "weight" to the table setting and old family recipes to please the guests. These family "treasures" make good conversation starters, and guests will feel honored that the best has been laid out for them.

-- Maria Endah Hulupi