Whether you are
throwing a grand soiree or just having an intimate dinner for your sweetheart,
you should make sure to set the scene with a well laid out table. Sounds simple
enough right?
But do you really know
how to ‘set the table’?
All the different
settings, different pieces of flatware, china, crystal… the different seating's
for different events… It’s really enough to make a head spin. Ask anyone, I am
a bit of a stickler when it comes to setting a table, (Everything in its place
and a place for everything, I say) I have had dinner parties with easy take-out
but have set a beautiful table and – it was magical!
Rule of Thumb: ‘Don’t save your
'special' things for that special occasion’, I mean honestly, how many of us
really have that many ‘special’ occasions anymore? And what really qualifies as
a ‘special occasion’?
Shouldn’t everyday be considered ‘Special’?
2nd Rule of
Thumb:
If it doesn’t go in the dishwasher, don’t use it. I don’t want to be standing
at the sink all night washing dishes!
So if you want to do
something right, always go straight to the expert…
in this case, Ms. Emily Post!
Here’s what the famous
American author for writing about etiquette says:
Basic Table Setting –
I believe this one can be used for just about
any dinner served at your own home’s table, but Ms. Post also offers us an ‘Informal Table Setting’ instructions and a ‘Formal Table Setting’ instructions. But,
let’s just stick to the Basics here.
For a basic table setting, here are two great
tips to help you - or your kids - remember the order of plates and utensils:
1. Picture the word "FORKS." The order, left to
right, is: F for Fork, O for the Plate (the shape!), K for Knives and S for
Spoons. (Okay, you have to forget the R, but you get the idea!)
2. Holding your hands in front of you, touch
the tips of your thumbs to the tips of your forefingers to make a lowercase 'b'
with your left hand and a lowercase 'd' with your right hand. This reminds you
that "bread and butter" go to the left of the place setting and
"drinks" go on the right.
Emily Post could have used that trick--she was
often confused about which bread and butter belonged to her--and sometimes she
used her neighbor's! In which case, when it was called to her attention, she
would say to the dismayed lady or gentleman, "Oh, I am always mixing them
up. Here, please take mine!"
Some other things to know:
- Knife blades always face the plate
- The napkin goes to the left of the fork, or on
the plate
- The bread and butter knife are optional
Now, doesn’t she make
it as simple as, well… Setting a Table?
