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Proper serving is always a sign of attention to guests, a way to create a festive atmosphere, and also an indicator of the artistic taste of the hostess.
- In this material we will look at the rules of informal serving, that is, those that are appropriate for receiving guests at home in everyday life and on holidays.
- Serving at home depends on the occasion, time of day, theme and menu, but in all cases the purpose of serving is the same - to arrange the dishes and cutlery so that it is convenient and pleasant for the diners to eat.
Based on this goal, table setting rules were invented. In everyday life, all these canons need to be observed only on the most solemn occasions, but once you have mastered their essence, you will be able to set the table with your own hands for any occasion - from a romantic dinner to a family New Year celebration.
Before you begin, take a look at two sample table settings. As you can see, setting a home holiday table for guests is much easier than setting a formal reception!
So, how to set the table? We have compiled step-by-step instructions in a certain sequence, describing each of the stages. In short, the most convenient procedure is as follows:
- Tablecloth – Plates – Cutlery – Glasses – Napkins – Decor (vase with flowers, candles, themed decorations).
Keep in mind that a few days before the event you need to resolve all organizational issues and prepare:
- Decide on the number of people, create a menu, tidy up the tablecloth, check the quantity and quality of napkins, dishes, cutlery, and think about the decor.
On the day of receiving guests, wipe all dishes and cutlery clean, and then start setting the table.
And a little about the arrangement of dishes
In addition to serving cutlery and dishes, you need to lay out the food dishes themselves. Here is a small reminder on how this can be done beautifully and correctly.
OK it's all over Now. We wish you successful practice and happy, heartfelt holidays!
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Beautiful table setting at home: rules
You can decorate the table at home in different ways. The main thing is that the decoration matches the celebration. You can make a beautiful decoration, taking into account some rules. They work not only for themed events, but also for universal decoration. We offer a few simple steps that will help you avoid making mistakes.
- Don't leave beautiful dishes for some holiday. Try to live for today. If you are planning a romantic dinner, take out your cutlery, plates, salad bowls, and napkin holders. Do yourself a favor and serve food in dishes with beautiful borders, gilded patterns, and shaped forks and spoons.
- We remove everything unnecessary. It is better to exclude intricate objects, napkins under plates, wrapping cutlery in cloth and other details. This design option is not suitable for daily use.
- Place beautiful dishes that you have at home only if you have them and they will best match the interior. It is better to abandon the decor if you are celebrating the holiday in a narrow circle. Just lay out a themed tablecloth and place a small stack of cloth napkins under the plates.
- If only some of the dishes remain from the serving sets, then when purchasing new ones, it is necessary to ensure that they are combined with each other. Let them have similar edging, the same depth, and match the style of the kitchen interior.
- When the surface of the table is quite beautiful, then it does not need to be covered with a tablecloth. If you are afraid of ruining the tabletop coating, it is better to use transparent oilcloth. This way the entire view of the table will not be hidden.
These are the simple rules you should follow when organizing a beautiful table setting. We offer several interesting design options for any event.
Table setting in summer motifs for every day and for entertaining guests Source www.pinterest.ie
for the new year
When decorating the table on New Year's Eve, they try not to deviate from family and thematic traditions. This table should be set with red, bright orange, blue, and green flowers. It is allowed to add sparkles, rhinestones, and silver.
Preparing the New Year's table for the celebration with live decor Source mainavi.ru
Table decoration for the New Year in natural shades Source roomester.ru
A small cozy New Year's table for two people Source veselyi-yrozhainik.ru
New Year's feast decorations with decor in the form of artificial Christmas trees and candles Source veselyi-yrozhainik.ru
Preparing the table for a small New Year's feast in red colors Source netrs.ru
The main points of decorating holiday table dishes with your own hands
Before you use beautiful cuts for decoration, solve organizational issues. Prepare dishes, necessary materials, and napkins in advance. Also, be sure to consider a few key points.
- You should not spend a lot of money on purchasing dishes of the same color. Modern design involves the arrangement of devices in bright flashy colors.
- As for glassware, it is better to choose the same models. The design of the table will be ugly if you use glasses or glasses of different styles. Timeless classics are welcome: transparent options.
- Any table setting should be in the same style. Let it be shabby chic or modern. It is better to refuse combinations of two different directions in the design of the festive table.
- To emphasize the coziness in the kitchen, you need to use a simple home tablecloth with a checkered motif. Moreover, even the smallest cell will look interesting, especially on a square table.
- Don't forget about the play of shapes and materials. Use different coasters for each person. These can be straw napkins, bamboo rectangular mats, thin cutting boards, or woven fabric bedding.
- Choose textile napkins only in shades that are lighter than the main color scheme of the table decoration. As for the material, it is better if it is cotton or linen options.
Slicing seafood on the festive table Source blog.comfy.ua
Beautiful table decoration with interesting snack options Source ne-kurim.ru
Original sausage product on the festive table Source amic.ru
Festive serving of salad for the New Year's table Source cookpad.com
Decorating the table with fruit in the shape of a three-dimensional Christmas tree Source eda.show
On a note! To emphasize the richness of the table, be sure to place jars of spices, a salt shaker and a container of vinegar in the center.
For a birthday
A birthday is considered an important holiday, so it is necessary that the table setting corresponds to this celebration; you need to work smartly on the design. The main thing is not only to arrange the dishes beautifully, but also to do everything possible to ensure that the decor matches the season.
Interesting table design for a girl’s birthday Source truck-sodruzhestvo.rf
For example, in the fall you can put the gifts of nature on the table: fruits and vegetables. For this it is better to use a special vase or basket. In winter, it is better to use tablecloths and other textiles in snow-white or heavenly colors. The table service can have different thematic decor: painted snowflakes, monograms, interesting shapes.
Large table in red colors for a child’s birthday Source mblx.ru
If an anniversary or birthday takes place in the spring, then the table should be decorated with fresh flowers and various compositions of them to choose from. Don't clutter up the entire space. It is enough to place two narrow long vases made of transparent glass, and place them in the center of the table if it is round or near each narrow side if it is rectangular.
Festive table with luxurious table settings for a birthday with personalized places Source roomester.ru
Etiquette secrets from aristocrats
When you find yourself in a gourmet restaurant or at an event where many respected people are present, you want to make a good impression and present yourself in the best light. To do this, you should know a few secrets that will help you behave correctly at the table:
- Sit at the table correctly, with a straight back, facing the table. After sitting down, there should be a distance equal to the width of your palm between you and the table.
- Use the napkin correctly. Fold a large rectangular napkin crosswise so that one end is twice as long as the other and place it on your knees with the fold in front. This will keep your clothes covered and also allow you to dry your mouth and hands.
- To prevent lipstick from leaving marks on the glasses, first remove it from your lips. If you don't want to remove the lipstick, discreetly lick the edge of the glass before drinking, creating an additional "barrier" for the lipstick.
- Under no circumstances should you bite baked goods. Carefully break off a small piece directly on the pie plate, holding the piece with your other hand. To spread butter on bread, you need to use a special knife. At the same time, take the required amount of product and place it on a pie plate, and only from there spread it on the bread.
- Oddly enough, according to the rules of etiquette, it is not advisable to wish other guests “bon appetit.” This applies to those cases when you are going to a restaurant or cafe. According to etiquette standards, only the chef can express wishes for a bon appetit.
- According to the rules of good manners, salad should only be eaten with a fork without using a knife, which can only be used as a last resort when you need to hold onto a piece of food. Under no circumstances should you cut the salad in a plate.
- Elbows should be pressed to the body. Never place them on a table, and also watch your posture.
- When eating soup, hold the spoon not sideways, but with the sharp end towards your mouth.
- When drinking tea, hold the cup not in the usual way, by sticking your finger into the hole, but holding it by the handle with your thumb and forefinger.
- Try not to come to the event hungry. This will keep you from grabbing everything and will make you look good.
Table setting is divided into several types depending on the nature of the event, as well as several styles, in accordance with the surrounding interior. By following simple tips and recommendations, you can set the table without much difficulty and appear before your guests as an attentive and hospitable hostess.
Features of cutlery layout
Next, we lay out the forks, knives, spoons - if you follow all the classic rules of table setting, this stage causes the main difficulties. Indeed, when setting a large table at courtyards, separate utensils are used for almost everything: cheese, fish, meat, desserts. All knives and forks look different and are placed in strict sequence.
But when gathering friends or loved ones at home, you just need to choose the right side and arrange the main elements.
Basic Rules:
- knives should be placed on the right, with the blade inward (towards the plate);
- the forks take place on the left side, with the tines facing up;
- spoons to the right of knives, “face” up.
The exception is dessert cutlery. They are served immediately, but are placed on the table not from the side, but behind the plate: first the spoon with its spout up and to the left, then the fork with its tines up and to the right.
Important! The order is determined by the order in which the dishes are served. The utensils for the treat that is served first are the furthest away. The cutlery for the last course is closest to everyone.
According to traditional traditions, some dishes are eaten with hands: no utensils are provided for them. This includes game (quail, hazel grouse), ribs, wings, frog legs, crabs, crayfish, shrimp, lobsters.
In the photo there is a minimum of cutlery