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How to set the table
Proper serving is both an important element of the festive atmosphere, and a sign of respect for the guests, and an indicator of the taste of the hosts. You shouldn’t neglect it. Having decided on the guest list and menu, think about what style you would like to decorate the table. This can also affect serving.
Fortunately, table setting at home is much easier than preparing for an official reception, but it’s still worth knowing some of the rules and subtleties of etiquette.
Perhaps the most convenient table setting looks like this: tablecloth – plates – cutlery – glasses – napkins – decor (a vase of flowers, candles, themed decorations). Let’s start in order.
Tablecloth
When choosing a tablecloth, you should pay attention first of all to the overhang – it should be 20-30 cm. A shorter one looks ugly, and a long one will interfere with guests. The color can be anything, but it is better to stay on the classic light shades.
Dishes
There are several plates per person: serving (large), medium (snack), small (patty or dessert), and a deep bowl for soup. A serving plate is not essential for a casual and daytime table; it can also be dispensed with in some styles, such as rustic. The type of deep plate may vary depending on the type of soup: for a thick one, choose a wide one, for a light broth or cream soup, a bowl with or without handles.
As for the arrangement, a medium diner is placed on a large serving plate. To prevent the plates from slipping, you can put a napkin, paper or textile, between them. Dessert, salad plates are placed to the left of them. A tea pair or a pie plate (it is also a plate for bread) is also placed here.
Check that the plates are at the same distance from each other. From the edge of the table, they should be at a distance of 1,5-2 cm.
Cutlery
Cutlery is laid out on the sides according to the number of changes of dishes with the concave side to the table. We put knives and spoons to the right of the plates, forks to the left, a teaspoon can be placed on top. At home, it is not necessary to expose all types of appliances, one knife, fork and a couple of spoons (for soup and dessert) are enough.
stemware
Glasses, wine glasses, glasses are placed behind the plates, a little to the right, from tall and large to smaller. It can be glasses for water, wine, champagne, juice, spirits.
napkins
Napkins can be placed in different ways: put in a glass of water, put under a snack plate, slip into rings, tie with a ribbon and decorate with decor. For a regular meal, it is enough to put napkins on the side of the plate under the fork; for a celebration, they can be beautifully rolled up and put on a plate.
Decor
This is an optional but nice item. Decorate the table with holiday-themed decorations or simply place candles and flowers.
Arrangement of dishes
The last thing worth mentioning is the arrangement of the dishes themselves. Remember that large dishes with snacks are placed in the center of the table. Fish appetizers are usually served on an oval dish, and meat appetizers on a round dish.
When serving hot, the tureen appears first. It is placed to the right of the owner, who pours the soup and passes it to the guests. Hot is served on a large dish, which is placed in the center of the table.
Do not forget to arrange salad bowls, gravy boats, pepper shakers and salt shakers.
Table setting scheme
Table setting ideas
To make everyday serving more special, our unusual ideas will help.
Bright tablecloth
Don’t be afraid to experiment. Choose a tablecloth in a bright shade and complement it with runners and placemats.
Without tablecloth
At home, you can do without a tablecloth at all. Replace it with individual underplates.
Serve food gradually
Unfortunately, the size of the table does not always allow you to arrange all the necessary appliances, dishes and pay attention to the decor. Often, when serving, it is the latter that is sacrificed. Serve food gradually – this will allow you to find a place on the table for small flower vases or candles..
Experiment with dish colors
The white color of the plates is a win-win option. They always look beautiful and elegant. But don’t be afraid to experiment. Colored or black dishes will create a special mood at the festive table.
Napkin rings
Attention to detail is the key to exquisite table setting. Something as small as napkin rings can make a big difference.
Seasonal decorations
We have already said that decor creates a festive mood. Look for inspiration in the seasons. Fir cones and branches, wild flowers, bright leaves will come to your aid.
Expert Tips
Expert Tatyana Baranova, founder of the educational project “Pro.ETIQUET”, Moscow shares useful tips with readers of the KP.
First of all, when setting the table, you should pay attention to the following nuances:
- make sure that all guests at the table will be comfortable: everyone will have enough space to sit comfortably, as well as free access to treats in the center of the table;
- remember that home serving does not have to completely repeat the restaurant one;
- show respect for guests: if you are not sure that guests know the rules for using rare cutlery, it is better to avoid such moments when serving, so as not to put people in an uncomfortable position;
- dishes should not be too close to the edge of the table, but also too far – usually this is a distance equal to about two fingers from the edge of the table;
- overloading the table when serving is a bad form.
Pay attention to the mistakes that are often made when setting the table. They should be avoided:
- ignore the knife. In general, a knife, of course, is not required for every dish, but still it can often be extremely useful and convenient to use;
- do not serve linen napkins, because many people at the table put them aside anyway. Cloth wipes are actually very handy, protecting our knees from crumbs and drips, as well as being able to gently wipe our fingertips without attracting unnecessary attention;
- try to put all the best on the table at once. In such a serving, the harmony of taste and style is not always felt, moreover, guests are simply uncomfortable and uncomfortable at the table, where there is no free space even for a glass of water;
- forget to put common utensils in common dishes. People at the table have to use individual devices to put a treat on their plate;
- put toothpicks directly on the dining table. It is more logical to put them in the toilet room, because it is not customary to carry out such hygiene procedures at the table.
Decor can certainly set the mood for a meal, so it’s good to have it well thought out.
- Candles. This is a beautiful and romantic element of the dining table decoration. But we must not forget that in the daytime, candles and candelabra in serving are out of place.
- Flowers. If the dining table is decorated with flowers, then only natural ones are better. It is desirable that their shade is somehow combined with serving items, dishes, tablecloths or napkins. Flowers should not be too tall so as not to interfere with the guests to communicate across the table, and should not exude too strong a scent.
- Thematic decorations. If the solemn meal is dedicated to a holiday (for example, New Year or Easter), then appropriate decor elements may appear on the table to create a mood. It is important not to go too far with “decoration” and not to forget that this is still a dining table, and not an exhibition of toys and handicrafts.
- Napkin rings. Sometimes they complement the serving and make the table decoration more refined. In fact, there is no particular need for such attributes at the moment.