We learn how to properly and beautifully set the table for a family lunch, dinner or holiday

What housewife doesn't dream of surprising her guests with her culinary skills at the festive table? But to produce the maximum effect, you need to know how to properly set the table at home. The correct arrangement of dishes and cutlery creates a special atmosphere. What do you need to know about serving? How to properly decorate a table for a birthday, New Year, family breakfast, lunch, dinner?

Important etiquette rules

Table setting is not only the correct arrangement of cutlery, but also its design. The choice of decoration elements and set of dishes primarily depends on the format of the meal (birthday, family dinner, business lunch, wedding, etc.).

But some rules remain unchanged.

The banquet room should be bright, well ventilated and, of course, large enough to accommodate all invited guests.
Dishes and cutlery must be cleanly washed and polished. Be sure to check that there are no water stains left on them.
The table can be of any shape, but its size should be selected taking into account the number of guests. It is optimal if there is 80 cm of table length per person.
The tablecloth should be well ironed, clean and match the size of the table. It is correct if its edges hang down by 30 cm, and the corners cover the legs.
Knives, spoons, forks, and glasses should be placed in the correct order near each plate.
In addition to devices for individual use, auxiliary ones should be present on the table. They are necessary for serving food from common dishes.
The type of devices and location must be the same.
Mismatched sets, chipped corners, bent utensils, and dull knives are not acceptable.

Advice

To properly cover a table with a tablecloth at home, first place the folded item on the surface, and then, lifting it by the edges, sharply lower your hands down. Then she will lie perfectly.

Serving order

Whether it's a birthday party or a meal at home with family, according to the rules of etiquette, you need to set the table in a certain order.

The table is covered with a tablecloth.
Plates are placed opposite the chairs.
Then the cutlery is laid out.
Now it’s time for glasses, glasses, glasses.
At the next stage, dishes are placed on the table.
Napkin holders are brought out.
Sets of spices and salt are laid out.
The table is beautifully decorated with flowers, candles or original compositions.

Placement of cutlery

At first glance, it seems that remembering the rules for placing cutlery on the table is very difficult. But in reality they are quite simple and designed for convenience. All cutlery is arranged in order of use, the outer ones are intended for first courses.

So, the basic rules.

The plates are located in the center of the seat 2 cm from the edge of the table. If several dishes will be served for a birthday or other holiday, then deep dishes can be placed on shallow ones. Bread (pie) plates are placed on the left hand, at a distance of approximately 10 cm.
As for spoons, knives and forks, they are laid out around the plate with the tip up (the blade of the knife faces the plate). There are forks on the left side and knives on the right.If dessert is expected, then the soup spoon is placed above the plate; otherwise, on the right hand, next to the knife. For a major holiday, such as a birthday, the set of cutlery should include a small appetizer fork, knife, utensils for fish or other specific dishes (depending on the menu). There should be a distance of 1 cm between the plate and the cutlery.
Drinkware should be on the right hand. If you plan to serve wine and water at the same time, then the drink that is more in harmony with the dish served first is placed closer. The nearest glass, wine glass or glass should be on the line of intersection of the first knife and plate. If there is a handle on the dish, it turns to the right. More than three items per guest is considered unacceptable.

Advice

Many people are confused about the rules for placing cutlery on the table, so we suggest you study them visually.

Important details: napkins and sets for spices and seasonings

Napkins are an indispensable part of table setting. There are linen and paper products. The first ones are placed under deep dishes (if there is no snack plate) or on the feet. Paper napkins are placed in a napkin holder at arm's length from guests. Additionally, you can roll them into fancy shapes, such as roses, envelopes, various geometric shapes or boats, animals (for a children's birthday). If the napkins are intended not only for table decoration, then it is important that they unfold easily.

When setting the table, it is important not to forget about the set of spices and seasonings. There must be salt and pepper on it. There is no need to fill the containers to the very brim; it will be enough to pour the seasonings halfway.If there are meat dishes on the menu, then it is advisable to put mustard and horseradish on the table.

Setting the table at home

On weekends, the family usually gathers at home in full, the housewife prepares her favorite delicious dishes, and intimate conversations are held over the meal. This is the best time to add special charm and comfort to breakfast, lunch and dinner with the right table setting. Even at home you can create a festive atmosphere. And if there are children in the family, then this will serve as an excellent lesson on how to behave in society, why different cutlery is needed and how to use them.

Breakfast.

An aesthetic meal in the morning sets the mood for the rest of the day. To serve dishes beautifully, you need to take into account some nuances. The first step is to arrange the snack plates, and then the cups, saucers and spoon. The latter are placed in the middle of the table so that everyone can easily reach them. If eggs are planned for breakfast, they are served in a special stand on a high leg. It should stand on a small saucer, and an egg spoon should be placed on it. The porridge is poured into a deep bowl, which is placed on top of a snack plate. The baked goods are served on a wide platter; butter, honey, jam or jam should also be present. For butter, each participant in the meal is given a small knife. A napkin holder with napkins must be present on the table. It will be beautiful if they are made in the same style as the insulation for the kettle. Don't forget about salt and sugar.

Dinner.

During the day, it is usually customary to serve first and second courses, as well as dessert. Therefore, to properly set the table at home, you will need several more utensils for lunch than for breakfast.For shared dishes you will need auxiliary spoons, spatulas and forks. Broth cups or deep plates are placed at snack bars, and dessert cups are brought at the end, when the first and second courses have already been eaten and the used dishes have been tidied up. Don't forget about knives for meat and fish. But for omelettes, meatballs, zrazas and cutlets, it will be enough to serve forks.

Dinner.

Evening serving for dinner is practically no different from morning. Usually pancakes, pancakes or pie are beautifully served on a common platter. Dessert plates are placed immediately, and dessert forks or spoons are placed on them on the right side. If you want to give dinner a romantic atmosphere, then place candles in candlesticks on the table and next to it.

Festive table setting

For a festive lunch or dinner, you need to take care of decorative elements. Not only the traditional rules of table setting are important here, but also the combination of colors and the housewife’s sense of style.

So, what should you consider when preparing for the holiday?

Tablecloth and napkins. The color scheme can be any, but it is important that the tablecloth is in harmony with the napkins. You can use universal white, delicate shades of lilac, blue, green. Rich pink, red and burgundy colors will come in handy for a romantic dinner. It is advisable to give the napkins an unusual shape or simply roll them into tubes and tie them beautifully with a contrasting satin ribbon.
Crockery, cutlery. The banquet table will be decorated with dishes in the form of non-standard geometric shapes and cutlery with curved, designer handles. A snow-white porcelain set will look most advantageous. However, if the tablecloth and napkins are also white, you can choose a dinnerware set with a border.
Candles. This decorative element is more appropriate for a wedding or a romantic dinner, but for a birthday it is better to limit yourself to candles on the cake. It should be remembered that the main role is played by the candlestick. It can be tall and thin, or the candles can float in flat bowls filled with water and flower petals.
Flowers. When decorating a table with flowers, it is important to choose the right vases. It is better to leave the tall ones for bouquets given to the birthday person. For serving, low vases that will not block the view for guests are more suitable. You should also take care of the moderate aroma of flowers; it should not mix with the smell of dishes or interrupt it.
Original compositions. Various fruit towers will look beautiful on the holiday table. Depending on the time of year, you can create decorations from spruce branches, cones, rowan berries, sea stones, sand, etc. Such compositions can then be placed at home. Handmade decorative items are at the peak of fashion.
Setting the children's table. For a birthday party for young guests, it is better to choose plastic dishes and limit yourself to safe utensils without sharp ends. A multi-colored tablecloth with cartoon and fairy tale characters is more suitable. You can add small gifts to the napkins folded into a fancy shape. If it’s a little princess’s birthday, then the table can be decorated with flowers. However, there should not be too many of them; it is better to limit yourself to balloons and paper garlands. Don’t forget to prepare signs with the names of little guests at each seating area; this will help avoid confusion at the party.

A properly and beautifully served festive table will make an unforgettable impression on your guests.And it’s not even a matter of etiquette - it’s always nice when order reigns at home, and a special atmosphere of comfort is in the air. Therefore, it is very important that a woman knows how to set the table correctly, knows all the rules of decoration and strictly follows them.