Sometimes it is so nice to have a formal setting when it comes to Thanksgiving entertaining, it makes the holiday meal even more special and the food presented will look fantastic. I thought I would share a few tips for setting a formal table ~ it's not as difficult as it looks!
Centerpiece
The first thing you should think about is your centerpiece, it can often set the mood so choose carefully! Keep the centerpiece natural and uncomplicated, avoid too many tall elements that could block sight lines across the table. Centerpieces can be anything from floral arrangements to a beautiful bowl filled with fruits and vegetables of the season.
Tablecloth or Placemats
If you have a beautiful table, consider using placemats instead of a tablecloth. Mats can be plain or patterned to suit your decor as long as they are not to busy and they are heatproof. If your table surface needs to be protected or is already damaged, use a tablecloth. A light color, white, tablecloth is traditionally more formal, make sure it is ironed and add a darker color runner. Nothing brings subtle sophistication to your table like a beautiful runner. The cloth should be big enough to drape at least 6 inches over each side of the table and the runner should be the same length or shorter than the tablecloth.
Place Settings
Dinner plates to the center and if you are having a soup course, place the soup dish on top of the dinner plate, side plate goes to the left of the place setting.
The general rule for silverware is you put the ones you will use first on the outside of each setting, and you work your way in.
To the right of each plate, first place the dinner knife with the blade facing the plate. On its right, place the teaspoon, and further to the right place the soup spoon. Optionally a dessert spoon may be placed horizontally above the plate, pointing to the left.
On the left, place the dessert fork nearest the plate (if there is to be one), then the dinner fork and finally, the salad fork to the left of that. The bottoms of each piece of silverware should line up with the bottom of the dinner plate.
* If your table is small, or you have a lot of guest, to keep the table from becoming too crowded you can bring out specialty utensils, like shellfish forks, with the course. The same with forks or spoons for dessert.
The bread and butter plate is placed directly above the forks, with a butter spreader placed horizontally across the top of the plate, with the tip pointing to the left.
Above the plate and slightly to the right you place the water glass, with a red wine glass to the right of that and a white wine glass to the right of all.
The Napkins
Napkins traditionally are folded and placed to the left of the forks. If you are using a fancy fold or napkin rings, place the napkin on top of the dinner plate (or on the soup bowl if one is seated on the dinner plate).
Place Cards
Using place cards avoids awkward moments when guests seat themselves and wards off potential problems. The place card is placed directly above the dinner plate AND to help you get started on your fabulous handmade thanksgiving meal I have made up two place cards, one for men one for women, that you can use! Save them to your computer, print out on heaver type paper or card stock and add the names!
Once you have added the names to your cards fold them in half so they stand up nicely for your guest to see!
One last thing... The kids table.
Setting up a separate table for the kids is a tradition worth upholding and you can make it a fun table for them. Get your own children involved with decorating the kids table, they will love helping and being an active part of all of the holiday excitement. It will be a fun project for them picking out a fun tablecloth, bright plastic plates and cups, placemats they can color on or some coloring books and crayons and if they are old enough setting it all up for you too!
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