Table Settings

• Italian table settings tend to be both functional and beautiful, particularly in Tuscany, where people have historically made efficient use of their resources. To set the Italian mood at your gathering, use table settings that are reminiscent of an Italian family meal. Use red-and-white checked tablecloths for a bold statement or go with rustic wooden tables. Place candles in wine bottles so the wax will drip down and build up on the outside for a classic Italian look. Use simple cloth napkins and basic dishes; mismatched china can create an informal, eclectic look of a dinner among close family and friends to bring your guests into the event.
  
  

Food

• Italians love food, and it is often the star and center of social gatherings. Start by laying out fresh bread with olive oil for dipping; the visual impact alone will create the mood. Include bottles of water and wine in glass bottles; buy empty bottles from a brewing company. Serve the meal family-style, using standbys of pasta, large cuts of meat, olives, crostini with prosciutto and cheese, and bruschetta. Use a presentation that highlights the natural beauty of the food, using only simple garnishes of basil for decoration.
  
  

Decor

• At an Italian event, the decor is often simple to let the beauty of the setting take center stage. Recreate the look of an outdoor Italian courtyard by setting up trellises around the room wrapped in simple green vines. Find strings of white outdoor lights and hang them from one side of the room to the other to create a ceiling of light. Use candles for a dim, romantic illumination; the soft lighting will be universally flattering and set a relaxing mood.
  
  

Music

• Depending on the atmosphere of the evening, choose Italian music that fits the type of guests and the venue. For a formal event, play quiet, gentle opera music in the background; you might also choose Italian jazz singers that evoke the music that would play in an Italian bistro in Rome. If you want a lively soundtrack for dancing, choose Italian folk music or old classics, like "That's Amore."