Together around the maypole
The maypole is on display in the garden: lavishly decorated with plants and flowers and possibly dressed up with attractive ribbons and crêpe paper streamers. Place the table where you’ll be feasting in a shady spot. Don’t make life difficult for yourself with ironed tablecloths, silverware and matching crockery. Things can be a lot more relaxed. Those spills will happen anyway, a fork will get lost in the grass, and with all those delicious drinks there will be an excess of glasses on the table in no time.
Acknowledging colour
It’s wonderfully green outdoors. That’s great, but you also want to enjoy other colours from nature. Anyone who thinks an extravagant bouquet should only be displayed indoors is wide of the mark. Bring the big vase with delphiniums, gerberas and peonies outdoors and place it on or by the table. But patio and garden plants like daisies, hydrangeas and kilometres can also appear as guests at the table. Hang or place them nearby, breathe in the lovely scent, stick a flower in your hair and enjoy the pleasures of the outdoor season.
From the garden straight to your plate
Don’t serve a big four course dinner; instead opt for delicious grazing on midsummer snacks with flowers, climbing fruit and herbs from the garden. Herring, potatoes and strawberries were traditionally served during the midsummer celebrations. The lighter variant is grilled bream, smörrebröd with spreads and a tart with climbing fruit to finish.
