Midsummer's Night Gala Dining Table Decorations
Niki, the author of My Scandinavian Home, shares her insights on hosting a Swedish Midsummer party in a recent blog post titled "5 Simple Steps for Hosting a Swedish Midsummer". The post, however, is not published on Thursday and will not be available until Monday.
The celebration, scheduled for Friday, is all about embracing the spirit of the summer solstice. Niki offers practical advice for creating an authentic Swedish Midsummer experience, from decorating a maypole to planning the menu and activities.
- Decorate a Maypole (Midsommarstång): Start by decorating a maypole with greenery and fresh flowers. This is the centerpiece of the festival and symbolizes fertility and summer. Guests can help create flower crowns as part of the decoration and celebration.
- Dress the Part: Encourage guests to wear light, floral dresses or traditional Swedish costumes, and flower wreaths or crowns on their heads for an authentic touch.
- Plan the Menu: Serve traditional Swedish Midsummer foods, focusing on simple yet classic dishes such as boiled new potatoes with fresh dill, pickled herring in various sauces, crispbread and fresh salads, sour cream and chives as accompaniments, and seasonal strawberries for dessert. These dishes are typically served buffet-style outdoors if weather permits. Traditional schnapps is also served alongside with singing.
- Table Setting: Keep the table simple yet festive. Use white or light-colored linens to reflect the bright midsummer spirit. Decorate the table with wildflowers and small floral arrangements. Place fresh garden flowers or flower crowns on plates or as centerpieces. Include simple, rustic tableware like wooden bowls or plain ceramics to enhance the natural, outdoor vibe. Candles are optional but can add a charming touch for evening celebrations.
- Activities and Entertainment: Organize the traditional ring dance (around the maypole) with the famous “Små grodorna” song and hopping dance. Play Swedish folk or midsummer music and encourage communal singing, especially drinking songs linked to schnapps.
- Timing: Host the party around the summer solstice (third weekend of June) if possible, or adapt anytime to celebrate summer’s peak.
The blog post, which is beautifully photographed by @leintosinspiration, is a must-read for anyone planning a Swedish Midsummer celebration. Niki signs off with "Glad midsommar!" and "Vi ses!", wishing her readers a happy Midsummer and looking forward to seeing them again on Monday when she plans to blog again. The post is related to hosting a Swedish Midsummer and also includes information about table settings for a Midsummer party.
- For an authentic Swedish Midsummer experience, consider setting a table featuring white or light-colored linens, wildflowers, and small floral arrangements, reminiscent of the blog post by Niki from My Scandinavian Home titled "5 Simple Steps for Hosting a Swedish Midsummer".
- To truly immerse in the outdoor-living atmosphere of a Swedish Midsummer celebration, encourage guests to participate in activities like the traditional ring dance around the maypole or decorate a home-and-garden feature like flower crowns, as suggested in Niki's blog post about this festive occasion.
