Setting Your Holiday Table
October has come and gone, our 2008 presidential election has taken place, and before you know it we’ll be sitting down to enjoy our Thanksgiving dinner. If dinner will be taking place at your home, then it’s a good idea to begin thinking about the menu now and taking a good look at your tableware and kitchenware collection to make sure you have everything you need.
Many people love to have an extravagant dinner, and they set their table with beautiful linens, and their finest crystal, silverware, and china. Still other families prefer a more laid-back dinner experience with fun decorations and their family and friends bring over their favorite dishes. Whether you’re throwing a lavish event or a casual one, here are some simple tips that will help your holiday get off to a smoother start.
Let’s start with the wineglasses – are you planning to serve both red and white wines? Some suggest supplying both types of glasses for each guest, though many say this isn’t necessary, especially for space considerations. It’s a good idea to set the table with a large water glass for each guest. You’ll want to place glassware above the knives, with the water glass closer to the center of the place, at a diagonal from the wineglass.
The plate marks the center of each place setting, with each setting ideally allocated 25-30 inches of space. Place the knives and spoons to the right of the plate, with the sharp edge turned in toward the plate, forks on the left. All silverware should be set about 1/2 inch from the table’s edge. Using a bread plate? Place that on the left of the fork.
Many people still try to adjust their table to allow for the “boy-girl-boy-girl” seating arrangement, but this is a quite flexible dinner party rule, and you’ll find it isn’t always easy to follow. You can keep it in mind for the fun of it. If you’re planning to pre-arrange your guest seating, why not place some neat holiday decorations of creative place cards at each seat to liven up your holiday dinner table.
Mostly, just keep in mind how much smoother your holiday gatherings will go it you handle the smaller details days or weeks in advance. As soon as you can, tally up the guest list and figure out the holiday menu in advance so you can purchase various ingredients ahead of time. You might want to pad the menu amounts to allow for some last minute guests. At the very least there will be some delicious leftovers to enjoy after the holiday. Take a little time now to shine up your silverware and glasses. Take a good look at the state of your serving bowls and dinner dishes to make sure you have the right quantity and sets to complete your table without it looking too mix and match for your holiday table.
