In this issue of “Museum Stories” we are going to talk about the peculiarities of serving and decoration of the festive table.

The dinner parties differed from the daily meals not only in the number of guests, but also in the abundance of ceremonies. Richly set table is one of the major symbols of the holiday. By Christmas, the long church fast was over, and with it the dietary restrictions. The decoration of the festive table depended largely on the social status and wealth of a family, nevertheless, everyone strove to set the table exquisitely and diversely.

What was the Christmas dinner menu 120 years ago, why was the tablecloth waxed, what dishes were prepared on Christmas Eve?

All this is explained in the first part of our video ”Christmas table. Decoration and serving”. 
Moreover, we will see how various serving items looked and how they were utilized on examples of silver, glass and crystal exhibits presented in the museum Collection exposition. Moreover, we will find out the applicability of various tableware items and acquaint with the etiquette governing the setting of a table for a formal dinner in the 19^th century.