How to set a table

Not too many of us dine in a formal fashion at home anymore.  While that’s generally okay with me, I do think it’s nice to do it up right for the holidays. It makes the celebration feel time honored, plus we owe it to our  kids to teach them how to behave in any situation.

Formal doesn’t mean stiff or uncomfortable, but it does mean correct and classic. Here’s a helpful diagram to set your table properly, with all the forks, plates and glassware in the traditional spots.

I learned how to set the table in a really practical way: working toward the plate, utensils are placed in the order you use them. You can see from the diagram that the dessert fork is closest to the plate. It makes sense, since dessert is traditionally the last course served. Water and wine glasses are a bit harder to remember, but think large (water) working down to small (white wine).

Table setting at home isn’t as hard for most of us to remember as which bread plate is ours. Here’s a way to remember that it’s on your left…..think to yourself about the person who inadvertently grabbed your roll, “I wish she’d LEFT my roll alone”. There you have it, you’ll never forget again!