Festive Family Christmas Eve in Naples
Setting the Scene

Celebrity Event Planner and President of Francesca Events in New York, Francesca Abbracciamento, helped us to put this family celebration together based on some of her own Italian-American experiences. She shares with us, “In my Neapolitan family, this is the holiday we all vie to host - but try as the other might, it is my Auntie Alda that reigns queen year after year. It is at her home, together with my Uncle Bob and my cousins Robert and Alexandra, that my Christmas Eve unfolds.  Their home is warmth and love personified.  The air is crisp outside, burning wood from the fireplace filters around me as I arrive.  I stop for a moment, take in the amber glow dancing in the front windows and recognize that my heart is pounding with excitement as if I have never been there before.  At that moment, I am home.  The long evening ahead is defined by three elements: humor, all things sentimental and the menu.  Is there anything else? No, not to my family, whose roots are firmly grounded in the soil of Naples.  We are all connected on this special night in a way truly not definable – we celebrate life, each other and the food we are about to enjoy. The night is richly filled with story telling, jokes, music, hugs and kisses as we revisit the past and dream of the future and are thankful for what we share.  This is the inspiration behind our ‘Festive Family Christmas Eve in Naples Dinner.’ Buon Natale!”

Xmas - Tabletop

Tabletop: Try something other than traditional Christmas red and green!  Rich hues of plum and violet can also create warmth and a festive atmosphere. For this special occasion, using patterned dishware can also add to the festiveness of the table.  We used Crate and Barrel’s Hana (www.crateandbarrel.com) setting which has line drawings of graphic botanicals for a smart, organic table setting, which complements our floral centerpieces.

Xmas - Decor

Décor:  Bring the outdoors to your table with miniature pine cones sprinkled in between frosted plum votive holders filled with tealights.  A solid-colored plum tablecloth acts as the backdrop for these mood elements.

 

 

 

 

 

Xmas - Centerpieces

Centerpieces:  Fill 3 or 5 large coordinating vases with long stems of snow white orchids for an elegant touch.  We used the whimsical creamy- purple swirl glass vase at West Elm (www.westelm.com) to complement our table setting.



 


Xmas - Pinecones (Mood)

Mood:  Ask the kids to collect beautiful pine cones and gather them in large bowls or vases and set them out on a cocktail table or near the bar.  If budget allows, purchase a brass/copper fireplace pit – spark up the wood and add in a little cedar or pine chips to enhance the aroma of the season.  Place near the front door.  Ask everyone to bring their favorite holiday CD – the result is a cross-generational collection of music to add spice into the air!

Xmas - Element of Fun2

Element of Fun: Francesca suggests to designate one of your family members or guests to be the photographer for the evening and capture candid shots – it’s a great way to be sure you did not miss anything while attending to the meal preparation.  Another tip is to start traditions – her favorite family tradition is the welcome toast or blessing <<more>>

 

Favors: To end this traditional Italian Christmas Eve dinner, set aside an area for guests to help themselves to some espresso. You don’t need to have an expensive espresso machine. One way Italians make espresso is with simple stove-top Moka pots where water in the bottom half of the pot forces steam through the coffee into the top half of the pot. Moka pots come in multiple sizes and can be purchased online or at many gourmet food stores and can be as inexpensive as $20 (depending on the size).



Festive Family Christmas Eve in Naples  
Overview |Setting the Scene |To Do/Shopping List |Il Menu |Element of Fun