Entertaining: How to Host a Relaxed Family Lunch
Treat your loved ones to a lunch that feels as good as it tastes. Think pretty place settings, informal flowers and splashes of colour, too
Cooking for your family is all about creating a relaxed, inviting feel. This is not entertaining your boss, after all, but nor is it an excuse to make no effort. When it comes to hosting a family lunch, don’t let informality tip into laziness. Remember, even the most forgiving mum will appreciate signs of a little effort. The good news is, it is not hard, or expensive, to host a relaxed family lunch that is stylish, too. From sprigs of flowers at each place setting, to a colourful table runner, the look is far from formal, but shows you care. Here are a few ideas for laying on a lunch that will treat your folks without stressing you out.
Take it outside
Eating outdoors tends to feel relaxed and more informal than gathering round a table in a dining room, but you can still make the experience stylish. A tablecloth and candelabra add some elegance to this shaded table, but the vibe remains breezy and inviting.
Eating outdoors tends to feel relaxed and more informal than gathering round a table in a dining room, but you can still make the experience stylish. A tablecloth and candelabra add some elegance to this shaded table, but the vibe remains breezy and inviting.
Cater for everyone
Put your guests at ease with plenty of food and drink. Erring on the generous side when catering is a simple way to make guests feel cared for and indulged, and you can dine on the leftovers during the following days. Try to cater for any relatives with food intolerances, too — this avoids anyone having to go without.
Put your guests at ease with plenty of food and drink. Erring on the generous side when catering is a simple way to make guests feel cared for and indulged, and you can dine on the leftovers during the following days. Try to cater for any relatives with food intolerances, too — this avoids anyone having to go without.
Spread a runner
A tablecloth runs the risk of looking a bit formal and can also get in the way, snagging on your guests legs and becoming tugged out of shape. Instead, add interest to your table with a pretty runner. It still creates the sense that the table has been dressed, but in a simple, more minimal way.
A tablecloth runs the risk of looking a bit formal and can also get in the way, snagging on your guests legs and becoming tugged out of shape. Instead, add interest to your table with a pretty runner. It still creates the sense that the table has been dressed, but in a simple, more minimal way.
Write a seating plan
If you are entertaining a crowd, make a seating plan. You don’t want anyone to be left out on a limb after the central chairs are grabbed, so devise a plan that will keep everybody feeling happy and included and then dot pretty name cards at each place, to help guests find their seat.
If you are entertaining a crowd, make a seating plan. You don’t want anyone to be left out on a limb after the central chairs are grabbed, so devise a plan that will keep everybody feeling happy and included and then dot pretty name cards at each place, to help guests find their seat.
Create a simple centrepiece
A few flowers arranged in a jam jar makes a simple but effective decoration for your family lunch table. Stick to one type of flower, too, for a pretty look that does not feel too formal.
A few flowers arranged in a jam jar makes a simple but effective decoration for your family lunch table. Stick to one type of flower, too, for a pretty look that does not feel too formal.
Gather in the kitchen
For small lunch gatherings, keep it informal by huddling around the kitchen table. This way you can chat and catch up on family business while you’re preparing lunch. Dress the table with fresh flowers and dot seats with colourful cushions for a relaxed feel.
For small lunch gatherings, keep it informal by huddling around the kitchen table. This way you can chat and catch up on family business while you’re preparing lunch. Dress the table with fresh flowers and dot seats with colourful cushions for a relaxed feel.
Soften up with pastels
If your dining space is large, you can still give it a relaxed feel, perfect for family get-togethers, with a little colour. Here, traditional wooden chairs take on a new, fun feel when painted in soft pastel tones. A pretty chandelier completes the informal scheme.
If your dining space is large, you can still give it a relaxed feel, perfect for family get-togethers, with a little colour. Here, traditional wooden chairs take on a new, fun feel when painted in soft pastel tones. A pretty chandelier completes the informal scheme.
Have fun with brights
For an informal family lunch, keep the tone light and fun by introducing bright colours into your table setting. Place mats are an inexpensive and easy way to bring a zingy pop to your table.
For an informal family lunch, keep the tone light and fun by introducing bright colours into your table setting. Place mats are an inexpensive and easy way to bring a zingy pop to your table.
Bring out a bench
A long bench is the perfect seating for informal gatherings. Any combination of adults and children can squeeze up on it, and it requires everyone to work together when someone wants to get up, too!
A long bench is the perfect seating for informal gatherings. Any combination of adults and children can squeeze up on it, and it requires everyone to work together when someone wants to get up, too!
Individual flower arrangements at each place setting look lovely and show that you have made an effort, without any of the big statement formality of a large bouquet. The rustic tin containers used to hold these sprigs are a really clever detail, helping to promote the relaxed, but thoughtful feel.