You are hosting a formal party next week and you are so wrapped up with the preparation that you forget about the most important part of your party! An elegant and accurate table setting! This happened to me and as was expected I was completely new to any kind of table setting, be it a formal table setting or an informal table setting.

The party was the first I was hosting in my whole life and what was worse, my husband’s colleagues, given that they are distinguished members of the Armed Forces, were very prim and proper. I mean, they would notice even if a fork was an inch farther away than it was supposed to be!!!  Just imagine how petrified I was when I realized that it fell upon me to learn how to spread a formal table setting overnight!

With time, I would like to believe I have gotten better with table setting and hosting parties. Here are a few tips for Table setting that I have gathered and often help me when I host formal parties at home:

Table Setting Tip No 1

Determine the number of guests and the seating arrangement well in advance. If you are the cook, try and seat yourself at the corner of the table from where you can navigate easily to and from the kitchen. Remember to seat your female guest to the host’s right and male guest to the left. If there are children, make sure you have some booster chairs.

Table Setting Tip No 2

Make sure that the crease of the Table spread divided the table into two equal portions and that it hangs about a foot and a half from the table sides. Place the folded Napkins in the centre of the plate in front of each diners place.

Table Setting Tip No 3

This is the golden tip of Table Setting. When setting your table always remember that the utensils from the outer most position will be used first. Therefore the utensils should be arranged in the order of how a person will use them.

Table Setting Tip No 4

The Forks, Bread plate, Spreader and napkin are set on the left, while knives, spoons, drink ware, cups and saucers are set to the right. Remember that the sharp side of the knife will face the plate and on the left side first will be the salad fork and then the dinner fork. Set the Salad Plate to the left of the fork. On the right side place the Dessert spoon and then the soup spoons to the dessert spoons right.

Table Setting Tip No 5

Arrange the glasses about an inch from the knives again in the order of usage from left to right. So the Water Glass will come first followed by the red wine, white wine, sherry and then champagne glasses.

Hope these simple Table Setting Tips will help you as they helped me. No need to be petrified now, jus go ahead and enjoy hosting your party!

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