Unless you live like a hermit and eat take-out every day, you are going to want to have people over to your house and entertain once in a while. One of the most important aspects of having people over is food, and having a good meal means not only having a nice dinner set, but the proper dinner setting in which to dine. In this article we will be exploring the world of the "table setting", and how to set a table for almost every occasion.
The Basics
Here are the basics with which you can start. Depending upon the type of dinner party you are planning, you can add to these basics.
a) Determine how many people you are going to be having over. You will need one place setting for each person, so make sure that they have their own space around the dinner table.
b) Place the dinner plate in the center of the place setting. Everything else will go around the focal point of this dinner plate.
c) The flatware (i.e.: fork, knife and spoon) will be arranged around the dinner plate in the order in which it will be used. The fork is placed to the left of the plate, while the knife and spoon are placed to the right. The knife is placed right next to the plate with the cutting edge pointed inwards. To the immediate right of the knife is the spoon.
d) Next comes the glass for water. Place this directly above the knife.
e) Place napkins (if you have them) under the forks.
Informal Dinner
An informal dinner party means that you just need to go with the basics, and add a few things to them. Here are a few things that you need to keep in mind:
a) If you are going to be serving a salad, you will need a place for the salad fork. It should go to the left of the dinner fork (which you laid down during the basics).
b) Do you plan on serving soup? If so, the soup bowl goes directly on top of the dinner plate. The soup spoon goes to the right of the spoon that you put into position during the basics.
c) Salad or bread and butter knifes go down next. They go directly to the left of the forks. If you have butter plates, they go directly above the dinner plate. Put the butter knife directly on top of the butter plate.
d) The cup and saucer go directly above the spoons. The cup handle is pointed towards the right. If you have wine or water glasses they go to the left of the coffee cup.
Formal Dinner Settings
The formal dinner setting is the most elaborate setting of all, but there is nothing to worry about...we will explain all the steps to you. You merely need to follow the guidelines for an informal dinner setting, and build upon it. Here is the additional information you need:
a) If you are planning on serving both red and white wine, you will need two wine glasses...one for each type. They go next to the water glasses that you have already positioned.
b) Immediately to the right of the knife go the beverage, soup, or dessert spoons. If you like, they can be brought to the table when the soup or dessert is being served.
c) A centerpiece not only looks nice, it is a great conversation piece. If you can't find an appropriate one, you could always create one (if you are artistic that is).
That's it! You are done. Sit back and look at your dinner set, accessories, and fine handiwork. It all looks so nice don't you think? Cook up some great food, and place it on the table, and let the partying begin!
The Basics
Here are the basics with which you can start. Depending upon the type of dinner party you are planning, you can add to these basics.
a) Determine how many people you are going to be having over. You will need one place setting for each person, so make sure that they have their own space around the dinner table.
b) Place the dinner plate in the center of the place setting. Everything else will go around the focal point of this dinner plate.
c) The flatware (i.e.: fork, knife and spoon) will be arranged around the dinner plate in the order in which it will be used. The fork is placed to the left of the plate, while the knife and spoon are placed to the right. The knife is placed right next to the plate with the cutting edge pointed inwards. To the immediate right of the knife is the spoon.
d) Next comes the glass for water. Place this directly above the knife.
e) Place napkins (if you have them) under the forks.
Informal Dinner
An informal dinner party means that you just need to go with the basics, and add a few things to them. Here are a few things that you need to keep in mind:
a) If you are going to be serving a salad, you will need a place for the salad fork. It should go to the left of the dinner fork (which you laid down during the basics).
b) Do you plan on serving soup? If so, the soup bowl goes directly on top of the dinner plate. The soup spoon goes to the right of the spoon that you put into position during the basics.
c) Salad or bread and butter knifes go down next. They go directly to the left of the forks. If you have butter plates, they go directly above the dinner plate. Put the butter knife directly on top of the butter plate.
d) The cup and saucer go directly above the spoons. The cup handle is pointed towards the right. If you have wine or water glasses they go to the left of the coffee cup.
Formal Dinner Settings
The formal dinner setting is the most elaborate setting of all, but there is nothing to worry about...we will explain all the steps to you. You merely need to follow the guidelines for an informal dinner setting, and build upon it. Here is the additional information you need:
a) If you are planning on serving both red and white wine, you will need two wine glasses...one for each type. They go next to the water glasses that you have already positioned.
b) Immediately to the right of the knife go the beverage, soup, or dessert spoons. If you like, they can be brought to the table when the soup or dessert is being served.
c) A centerpiece not only looks nice, it is a great conversation piece. If you can't find an appropriate one, you could always create one (if you are artistic that is).
That's it! You are done. Sit back and look at your dinner set, accessories, and fine handiwork. It all looks so nice don't you think? Cook up some great food, and place it on the table, and let the partying begin!
About the Author:
Want to find out more about Great Dinner Sets, then visit Debbie Saunders's site on how to choose the best dinner set for your dining table.
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