When you know how to set a table you are saying something about yourself. You are telling others that you are educated and have class. You are telling them that you care about them, and are going through the extra effort to make a fine meal with fine surroundings. Setting a table is more than just throwing a dinner set onto a table. It’s a ritual that shows you are sophisticated. In this article we will outline the steps required to set a dinner table.
Here Are the Basics
These basics will help you to get started to setting a great dinner table. You can just leave it there, or build on the basics depending on how formal a gathering you are planning to have.
a) For starters you need to determine how many people are going to attend your little gathering. The rule is one place setting per person, so ensure that you have enough space (and chairs) to accommodate them.
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) The water glass now needs a home. It goes directly above the knife.
e) Place napkins (if you have them) under the forks.
Informal Dinner Setting
For an informal dinner party you merely need to start with the basics, and add to them. Here are a few pointers to keep in mind:
a) If you are going to serve a salad, the salad fork is placed to the left of the dinner fork that 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) You will need a cup and saucer if you plan on serving coffee or tea. They go directly above the spoons, and the handle of the cup should point to the right. Water or wine glasses go to the left of the coffee cup.
Formal Dinner Settings
You have now graduated to the formal dinner setting. This dinner setting is the most elaborate of all, but don’t worry, we have you covered. All you need to do is follow the steps for an informal dinner setting, and add a few more steps. Here’s what you need to know:
a) Are you planning on serving both white and red wines? If so, you will need two wine glasses per place setting. They go next to the water glass.
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 is always nice. Look around for an appropriate one, or if you are artistic you could craft your own. It goes directly in the center of the table.
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!
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My name is James Quak and you can just call me Ahjames. I am a 'New Kid On The Blog' who like to sing and dance (only in bathroom). I like to blog is because I want to share my life and ideas with my friends and anyone who likes blogging. So hope that we can blog together and learn more about blogging tactics. 



