Table Setting

Setting a table properly for Thanksgiving is both an art form and a necessity for a feast. First let me say there is no right way, even experts disagree on the best way to set the table. Whatever suits your table, family, and the meal you are serving is the best way to set your table. So here is a fully customisable guide to setting yours:

• Dinner Plate - The dinner plate is set two inches from the edge of the table directly in front of each persons chair. If you are having a buffet dinner you may choose to set a napkin in place of the plate.
• The dinner fork is set to the left of the plate, the salad fork set to the left of the dinner fork.
• The knife is set to the right of the dinner plate with the blade toward the plate. The dinner spoon is set to the right of the knife. The soup spoon is set to the right of the dinner spoon.
• The dessert fork and/or spoon is set above the dinner plate.
• The Napkin is set on the dinner plate and then the salad plate on top of the napkin and the the soup bowl on top of the salad plate. If you are not having soup or salad you do not need to put these on the table and also do not need to set out the soup spoon or salad fork.
• The bread plate with a butter knife is set above the spoons to the left of the dinner plate.
• The dessert plate is set above the dinner plate. You can skip setting out this plate till after dinner if desired or if room is needed.
• The coffee cup and saucer with a coffee spoon is set above the knives to the right of the plate.
• Water glass above the coffee cup, and wine glass to the right of water glass, then any other beverage glass you need will go to the right of the wine glass.
  

Napkins are often set above the plate instead of on them and can also be placed folded nicely in the bowl if desired. A really cute website with great instructions on folding napkins is : http://www.napkinfoldingguide.com/ (this is an unsponsored link). Happy Thanksgiving!

New to Holiday Haven?
Start with ::The Holiday Challenge::
Holiday Haven's Home Page