You need to set the dinner table beautifully not only for the arrival of guests, but also for your family. Even the kitchen and coffee tables deserve special treatment. We offer a few tips to help make your table setting simple and stylish. The main secret lies in the combination of texture, color and accessories.
1. Porcelain and glass
You don't have to spend a fortune on plates or glasses to have an elegant table. If you decorate it correctly, it will look like a million. First of all, you need to pay attention to porcelain and glass.
We start with porcelain. There should be a small plate, a salad plate, and a bowl on the table.
Use a trivet plate. It is large enough and perfectly frames the dishes, outlining its boundaries. You can use a special mat, which you can make yourself from decorative paper if you wish. Simple wreaths and even leaves will do.
Grouping the glasses. If you place more than one glass on the table, then this trick alone will give the table a stylish and elegant look. Glasses should be grouped, there should be glasses for wine and glasses for water.
Cutlery can be connected using ribbon or twine. In addition, they can be beautifully wrapped in a napkin.
2. Tablecloths
Tablecloths can completely change the mood, immediately creating a festive mood. Now there is a huge selection of all kinds of tablecloths, napkins, runners, which must certainly be of different colors, textures and patterns, preferably so that they are all combined with each other. In addition, there should be themed sets that are suitable for certain holidays.
Table runner- a tablecloth in the form of a narrow strip running across the entire table. This is one of the most modern ways to decorate a table, especially if you don’t want to hide a beautiful wooden or glass tabletop completely under the fabric. Such paths are universal. They can be easily laid out on top of a regular tablecloth along the table, you can put them across and designate places for guests.
Tablecloths must be on the holiday table, especially if you want to emphasize the theme or color scheme of the set table.
Napkins. There is no need to give up cloth napkins in favor of disposable ones. They are an integral part of the table design. If you really don’t want to wash them after the holiday, then you should take a closer look at banquet-style paper ones.
Cutlery mat determines a seat for each guest. They can be not only rectangular, but also square (give modern look), and round (break the angularity of the table).
3. Central composition
There must certainly be a central composition on the holiday table that will decorate it. It will add volume and unite the entire table, but you need to remember that it should be low and narrow.
The main rule is that there should be at least 35 cm left on each side for a person and his cutlery. Therefore, we subtract at least 70 cm from the width of the table; the rest of the space can be used for composition. For the tabletop composition we use flowers, candlesticks, twigs, and stones.
Setting the holiday table is not just about preparing it for a gala lunch or dinner party.
This is, first of all, creating a certain mood in which the final result is influenced by the tablecloth, the selected cutlery, napkins, and dishes.
Of course, there are some rules of etiquette, the observance of which is strictly necessary. But the decisive factor is taste and creativity, which ultimately determine the aesthetics of the served table.
Table decoration
Setting a festive table is the basis for any holiday and creating a festive mood among guests. Compliance with the rules of serving is necessary for any celebration. Beautiful festive table setting is the key to the success of the entire celebration. For for many years A huge number of formulas and rules have been derived that must be followed when decorating the table. Hastily arranged plates and glasses, cutlery, appropriate only for certain occasions - this is the wrong approach. You need to know a lot of nuances, thanks to which you can take your event to the highest level.
First of all, the theme of the holiday is taken into account. A child's or adult's birthday, a wedding, a romantic dinner or just a get-together with friends - any occasion requires clear thinking about the future table. To make dinner unforgettable, simply delicious food will not be enough. You need to dress up the hall where the event is held, decorate the table and convey a festive mood to your guests. The main thing in this matter is not to overdo it, since a table cluttered with dishes and decorations can cause a completely opposite impression and show the hostess’s lack of taste. Main goal- this is to create a positive impression on the guests both about the holiday and about the hostess herself.
Classic - white plates and clear glass glasses. They are universal and harmoniously suitable for any serving.
If this is a party or business dinner, then you should stick to a neutral, rather restrained style. If among the guests there are only relatives or friends, then the table setting can be made less formal and free by using decorative elements. At the same time, the elements of decor and table setting should not only be combined with each other, but organically fit into the overall interior of the room.
Therefore, first you should decide on the style of the festive table. Firstly, you need to clearly know what kind of dishes will be present on the table. This fact can be used as a basis for choosing tablecloths and napkins. After this, decorative elements such as napkin holders, flower vases, etc. are selected.
Serving rules
There is a certain algorithm of actions when decorating a festive table:
- Tablecloth. Naturally, first you need to wash and iron it so that there is not the slightest hint of stains or wrinkles. Snow-white tablecloths look great - this is a classic option. Nowadays, several canvases of contrasting colors are increasingly used at once; they can be bright, or they can be pastel. Metallic fabric is in fashion.
- Placing the plates at such a distance from each other that guests can sit comfortably and not touch their neighbors.
- Laying out cutlery. How many there should be directly depends on the dishes offered and the number of guests. Post complete set Cutlery is not required. For example, fish can be eaten without a special knife and fork.
- Arrangement of glassware - glasses, wine glasses and vases. Each of them is a table decoration and is very functional. It is very important that these devices are polished to a shine, without streaks.
- After the above steps, it’s time for the napkins. It is best to arrange them in special rings, display them on holders, or fold them individually for each guest. You can use both cloth and paper napkins.
- Spices must be in the correct location on the table, because everyone has their own taste and, perhaps, guests will want to make up for the lack of pepper, salt or vinegar in the served dish. Spices should be placed in several places on the table so that everyone can easily reach them.
- The last thing to put on the table is the appetizers.
Advice! Vases with flowers (low) will become a charming decoration for dinner, both family and business.
Plates
Plates often set the tone for the entire table, so their choice is approached very responsibly. A formal reception requires the purchase of new dishes. There are special rules according to which plates should be placed on the table:
- The edge of the table is not the best place for a plate; you should move 2-5 centimeters away from it (a distance of two fingers)
- For special gala event or a business presentation, it is customary to use “double plates” with a napkin between them to prevent the dishes from slipping
- You can place a plate for pies near the main one. The distance between them should be no more than 5-12 cm
- The plates must be placed clearly on one line. This applies to both main and pie dishes.
You need to arrange the plates, immediately taking into account that you will need space for salad bowls, vases and cutlery.
Cutlery
During a regular lunch, each of us uses a minimum of cutlery, arranging them in random order. But the festive event requires a special layout and a certain number of forks and knives. When serving, the knife must be placed with the blade facing the plate and on the right side. As a rule, several knives are used, so their location near the plate is very important. The table knife should be closest, and the farthest one should be for appetizers, with a fish knife placed between them. The spoon turns upside down and lies between the knives. The fork is placed on the left side of the plate. The sequence of laying out forks is the same as for knives: table, fish and snack. They are placed with the cloves up at a distance of half a centimeter from the plate.
Dessert utensils may also be required. Place them in front of the plate in the following sequence: knife, fork and spoon.
Properly arranged cutlery on the holiday table is a very important point.
Glassware
Glassware plays a practical and decorative role. The shape of the glasses may be assessed by some guests as comfortable, while others will simply find it impossible to hold them in their hands. You also need to be able to arrange such dishes correctly:
- glasses for juice and mineral water placed to the right of the plate or in front of it in the center;
- Fruit juice and kvass drink are consumed from a mug, the handle of which must be turned to the right;
- It is customary to drink alcoholic beverages from a glass or shot glass, depending on the type. It is necessary to maintain a distance between glassware of approximately 1 cm.
As mentioned earlier, all glassware must be polished to a shine.
Stained glass glasses on the “autumn” table
Using napkins for a holiday table
Snow-white, brightly decorated napkins will add special solemnity to the table. You can make some kind of figure out of them or simply fold them in four. You can choose napkins that are the same color as the tablecloth, or that contrast with it. It’s very good when napkins not only match the color of the tablecloth, but also match its texture. Now you can purchase special sets of kitchen textiles that include everything you need to set the table in the desired style.
Typically, a starched napkin is placed on top of the plate or to the right of it. Fabric napkins are created for decorative purposes; they are not used to blot your mouth. There are paper ones for this.
Should table settings be kept in one color?
Festive tables made in one are becoming more and more popular. color scheme. Very often lately you can hear: “What color will your wedding be?” or “I’ll have a raspberry birthday!”
The color of the holiday must be chosen, first of all, from your own preferences. Guests are guests, but you are the host of the holiday, and choosing the color of the decoration is one of the ways to express your “I” or convey your mood.
... Why not choose the color of the table setting to match the tone of your eyes?
Serving in one color scheme is perfect for a romantic dinner. As a rule, it is not possible to set the table in one “pure” color. But using several shades is always welcome. Red napkins, glasses and candles will perfectly support a duet with a snow-white tablecloth and the same plates.
A table in a marine style will look interesting. It is perfect for home lunches and outdoor gatherings with friends. In addition, a lot of this option is made with your own hands, for example, napkin holders with intricate shells.
Serving a festive table outdoors
The absolute lucky ones are those who have the opportunity to organize their own celebration in the fresh air. This can be done in your own yard, at your dacha or on a rented plot. It makes no sense to describe the benefits of such a holiday. After all, this means fresh air, stunning landscapes for photographs, and varied potential for organizing holiday leisure.
You can set a table outside in green tones to match the natural colors of nature, or, conversely, use contrast techniques. Both the first and second options will leave a lasting impression on your guests!
A blue linen tablecloth and napkins in the decoration of a festive table are suitable for a celebration in a summer garden
In addition, setting a table “in nature” does not require any special embellishment - all the beauty, as they say, is around. It uses either a home style or a contrast between nature and the “artificiality” of complex decorative techniques. Each event is considered individually, and so is the choice of dishes and other attributes of the festive table.
Table decor with lanterns, candles and tablecloths with a Chevron pattern has not gone out of style for many seasons in a row.
Festive table for a child's holiday
A children's holiday is a topic in which the flight of imagination never stops. Children love to imagine, so you can involve the hero of the occasion in preparing the holiday. First you need to decide on the topic - the child will also tell you here. After all, you need to do it the way he likes. Ask him what cartoon or fairy tale he likes now, and then there shouldn’t be any problems with the design. At this point, professional animators distinguish three types of topics children's party:
- Themes of cartoons, books and films. These can be either the classic “Kolobok”, “Little Red Riding Hood”, or modern “Smeshariki”, “Minions” and other popular cartoons.
- Topics of interesting professions. Here every child can feel like what they want to become: a fireman or an astronaut, a singer or a cowboy.
- Historical topics. This is decoration and serving children's table under the theme of pirates, knights, princesses or other characters.
Regardless of the theme of the holiday, you need to clearly maintain the color scheme of the table - no more than 2-3 colors. It is very fashionable now to display a candy bar with sweets for guests. It can be placed away from the main table on a coffee table or chest of drawers. It will also need to provide the correct design, which does not go against the rest of the decor. You can set two tables - for children and for adults, so as not to interfere with each other.
For a children's party, you will also need cutlery, plates, glasses for drinks with straws, shelves for sweets, vases for sweets, a cake stand, dishes and trays for desserts and snacks. There is no need to overload the table; first, you can offer little guests a taste of the main course and salads, and only then let them eat plenty of sweets. You can change dishes while the kids are busy playing.
Advice! It is very convenient to use disposable bright tableware during a children's party. It doesn’t need to be washed, and children won’t be able to break it. In addition, the choice of themed dinnerware sets for children's events is huge.
Every holiday, even at home, can be raised to the proper level. To do this, you need to know the basic nuances of serving, observing which the guests will be satisfied with a wonderful evening and the excellent taste of the hostess.
Both the mood and taste perception depend on how the dishes are served. The main purpose of table setting at home is the convenience, cleanliness and pleasant appearance of the dining table. The hostess can, in one case or another, cover it at her own discretion. For each case it is appropriate to select the appropriate method. For all of them there are elements developed by centuries of practice.
Choosing the right tablecloth
In the arsenal of a housewife for a festive reception of guests, there should be several different tablecloths, selected in accordance with the interior of the room, the color of the curtains and walls.
When setting a festive table, linen table linen is appropriate.. So, on a snow-white linen tablecloth with jacquard pattern The porcelain looks decent, the silvery shine of the cutlery and the multi-colored sparkle of crystal are perfectly set off.
The tablecloth is selected taking into account the parameters of the table, its edges should fall equally on all sides by 15-25 cm, but not lower than the seat of the chair, and the corners should fall along the legs of the table, covering them.
As for color, traditionally white or pastel (pink, blue, light green) tones are considered festive. They simply must be clean, starched and well ironed.
Small family holiday or a casual party of friends will only benefit if you choose, for example, colored linen tablecloths with checks, polka dots, and small bouquets - symbols of home comfort. It is worth considering that the design should be unobtrusive and remain only a background for dishes and decorations.
Dinner should not be served on a dark tablecloth.. It is good for sandwich menus, coffee, tea parties and desserts.
You can put a cotton flannel underneath. This will muffle the sound of dishes, forks and knives. Especially if the table is polished.
There are tablecloths for sale for every taste and income. They also come in snow-white with beautiful openwork pattern, reminiscent of embroidery, and multi-colored, suitable for any celebration.
The advent of disposable tablecloths has made it easier for housewives to prepare and host festive feasts, since at the end of the celebration there is no need to think about how to wash off the stains that inevitably appear during the feast.
Serving for every day
To set the table for a simple lunch or dinner with the family, you do not need to take out the entire set of dishes. It is correct to use only those utensils that are useful for the dishes being served.
The main thing to remember is the indispensable presence of stand plates. They are necessary for any serving and will prevent stains and crumbs from getting onto the tablecloth.
If the first course is served, a tureen will be appropriate. Of course, in your family circle you can do without it, but carrying hot soup one plate at a time is much more inconvenient. A deep soup plate is placed directly on the stand. When a family likes hearty multi-course dinners, cutlery is placed all at once for each dish.
There is a certain scheme: cutlery for the last course should be placed first at the edge of the plate, and for the first course - last in the row.
Children's event
To set the table for a children's celebration, you need to think not only about beauty, but also about safety. There is no need to use thin porcelain dishes for children's parties.
Won't fit here difficult option. A beautiful table setting for young guests should follow the following scheme:
Your favorite toys can serve as decoration. You can make sweet decorations with your own hands.
What a holiday table should look like
First, you should think about the menu and the number of guests, taking into account the season. After all, some dishes will be good in summer, others - in winter. For a magnificent celebration, you can think through a whole project for organizing a feast.
The seating arrangement of the guests will also play an important role, especially if there are a lot of them. This is where name cards can help out. It’s a good idea to order napkins with the guests’ names written on them or simply place name cards on the plates.
Broken, chipped or cracked dishes are not allowed on the table.
On especially special occasions, in order to have an idea of how to set a table for guests, you should remember the following rules:
When many guests are invited, it becomes necessary to duplicate salads and appetizers so that guests do not reach for the entire table. To do this, you will need the same salad bowls, candy bowls and fruit dishes.
For alcoholic drinks, the dishes are placed on the right side in the upper corner. The following rule applies here: the stronger the drink, the smaller the glass should be.
Using napkins and decorations
Setting the table for the holiday also involves decoration. Whatever napkins are: linen or paper, colored or plain, they are necessary to maintain cleanliness.
Paper napkins will look out of place with expensive, fancy tableware. Therefore, they are used on weekdays with the family or on a picnic. For special occasions, high-quality linen napkins are suitable. At lunch or dinner, use large napkins, and during tea drinking - smaller ones. It is not necessary that the napkins be the same color as the tablecloth, but they must be in harmony with it. Colored napkins look beautiful on a snow-white tablecloth. They are ironed, folded into a triangle or square and carefully laid out to the left of the plate.
When decorating the table with flowers, choose plants with a weak odor and place them in low vases or bowls with water. You can put fir branches on the tablecloth.
To create a festive atmosphere, all lamps and chandeliers are turned on in the room. For more intimate meeting Candles of different sizes in beautiful candlesticks (can be scented) are perfect.
There is a wonderful, very effective old way of serving dishes on a mirror. Mirror reflection gives the dish solemnity and fabulousness.
Whatever the purpose of setting the table, be it a date for lovers, a banquet hall with a large number of guests, or a baby’s birthday party, everyone can set it, guided by their taste, desire and mood. You just need to remember the basic rules.
Any woman wants surprise your friends culinary delights at a festive dinner. However, in order to create a stunning effect, you need to understand how properly setting the home table. Most correct arrangement of cutlery and dishes can create a cozy atmosphere. This article will describe what you need to know about proper serving, how prepare the dining table well for a meal or holiday.
Table setting rules according to etiquette
Table setting is usually called the correct arrangement of all cutlery and its colorful design. The optimal choice of decorations and utensils depends on the purpose of the meal.
However, the following etiquette rules always remain the same:
- The banquet room must be bright, well ventilated and large enough to accommodate all the invited people.
- Cutlery and dishes must be polished and well washed. It is worth making sure that there are no water stains on them.
- The festive table can be chosen in any shape, but its dimensions are selected based on the total number of people. Experts advise that there should be about 80 centimeters of length per guest.
- The festive tablecloth must be completely clean, high-quality ironed and consistent with the dimensions of the table. It is necessary that the edges of the tablecloth hang down no more than 35 centimeters, and the corners slightly hide the legs.
- Forks, knives, spoons and glasses must be placed in the correct order near the plates.
- In addition to cutlery for personal use, additional utensils that are intended for serving food from large dishes should also be laid out on the table.
- All cutlery for the table and their arrangement must be absolutely identical. You cannot use different sets, unsharpened knives, or cutlery with flaws or chipped corners.
In order to cover the surface with a tablecloth with your own hands, first of all, you need to place the folded product on the table, and then, lifting it by the edges, quite sharply lower your hands. After these steps, the tablecloth will fit perfectly.
How to properly set a table
It doesn’t matter whether it’s a holiday or a regular meal, according to all the rules of etiquette, you need to set the table in the following order:
- a large table is covered with a clean tablecloth;
- plates are placed opposite the chairs;
- the necessary cutlery is located;
- put glasses, goblets and shot glasses;
- then you should arrange all the dishes;
- place napkin holders;
- containers with salt and sets of seasonings are located;
- decorate the table different colors, unique compositions or candles.
At first it seems to many that following all the rules for arranging cutlery on the holiday table is quite difficult. However, these rules are quite simple and were invented only for human convenience. Cutlery should be arranged according to the order in which it will be used. The extreme ones are necessary for hot dishes. The plates must be placed in the center of each seat, 3 centimeters from the edge of the table surface. When many dishes are expected to be served for any holiday, it is customary to place large dishes on smaller ones. Plates for bread or pies are placed at a distance of about 10 centimeters on the left hand.
Forks, spoons and knives are placed near the plate with the tip up, and the blade of the knife should be facing the plate. Forks should be placed on the left, and knives should be on the other side. When dessert is served, the soup spoon should be placed higher than the plate, and in other versions, it is located on the right side, near the knife. Before an important holiday, for example, a birthday, the list of cutlery must include an additional small fork for snacks, cutlery for fish or other dishes, and a knife.
There must be a distance of about one centimeter between the cutlery and the plate.. Drink glasses should be placed on the person’s right hand. When water and wine are supposed to be served at the same time, the closest drink is the one most suitable for the dish that is served first. The nearest glass or glass must be on a certain intersection line large plate and main knife. If the dishes have handles, they should be turned to the right. The total number of tableware for each person should not exceed more than three items. If people are confused about the rules for arranging cutlery on the table, then it is worth watching special training videos.
How to arrange spice sets and various napkins
Napkins are a must-have item when setting a holiday table. Experts distinguish napkins by type of material. Linen napkins are usually placed under deep plates or used for protection. Paper napkins are placed in a napkin holder at a distance of about 40 centimeters from the edge of the table. Napkins can also be rolled into different shapes. interesting figures, for example, envelopes, different flowers or ships.
When napkins are needed not only to make the table look elegant, then they need to be very easy to unfold. When setting the table, you should not forget about the spice set, which should contain pepper and salt. You don’t need to fill the containers completely; filling them halfway will be enough. When there are meat dishes on the menu, horseradish or mustard must be placed on the table.
How to properly set a table for different events
On all weekends, the family is usually at home as a whole, and the woman prepares wonderful dishes and all sorts of conversations are sure to take place during meals. This can be considered the best time to give your meal a special feeling of home comfort with the help of high-quality table setting. You can always create a festive atmosphere with your own hands. In cases where a family has children, this can serve as a good lesson in how to behave in a decent society. This requires different cutlery and skills on how to use them correctly.
How to set the table for breakfast
A good meal in the morning can set the mood for the whole day. In order to present dishes harmoniously, you need to remember some rules. First you should place plates for snacks, and then saucers with cups and small spoons. They are placed in the middle of the table so that any family member can reach them. When eggs are prepared for breakfast, they are usually served in a special stand with a high stem. It must stand on a small saucer on which an egg spoon rests. Any porridge is poured into a fairly deep plate, which is placed on top of the snack dishes.
Pies are usually served on a large dish, on which there should be jam, honey or butter. To conveniently take butter, every person needs a small knife. There must be a beautiful napkin holder with a lot of napkins on the table. It will be very beautiful when they are made in the same style with tea insulation. And also don’t forget about sugar and salt.
Table setting for dinner
During the daytime, it is best to serve first course, main course and dessert. That is why, in order to set the table with your own hands to the highest quality, you need a much larger number of cutlery for lunch than for the morning meal. For main courses, additional forks, spoons and special spatulas are required. Cups for broth or large plates are usually placed on plates for appetizers, and dessert dishes are served later, after the main courses have been eaten and all the dishes have been cleared away. Don't forget about meat and fish knives. Meat products should only be served with forks.
How to set the table for dinner
Setting the table for dinner is almost no different from the previous preparation. As a rule, pies or pancakes are served colorfully on a large platter. Plates for dessert are placed immediately. On the right side they place spoons or forks for dessert. When you need to add a romantic atmosphere to the meal process, you should place candlesticks with candles on the table.
Proper table setting for the holiday
Before a festive meal, you need to take care of all the decorative elements in advance. Not only the traditions and rules of table setting are very important here, but also a good combination of shades of all elements. These include:
- tablecloth and napkins;
- dishes and cutlery;
- candles;
- flowers;
- unique compositions.
What napkins and tablecloth are needed?
The whole range of shades can be absolutely any, but it is quite important that the napkins harmonize well with the tablecloth. It is worth using classic white, bed shades of green, delicate lilac or blue. At romantic dinner Delicate pink, burgundy or bright red colors are most suitable. These napkins should be given a unique shape or rolled into regular tubes and carefully tied with a beautiful ribbon.
What cutlery and dishes are needed?
The festive table will be well decorated with dishes in the form of unusual geometric shapes, cutlery with unique handles from famous designers. A set made of white porcelain will also look unusual. However, when napkins and tablecloth too white, then it is better to use a set of dishes with a beautiful border.
What kind of candles are needed?
This element is most suitable for a romantic date or wedding. When celebrating a birthday, you should make do with candles. birthday cake. It is necessary to remember that a large role is given to the candlestick. They can be thin and large, or candles can float in beautiful bowls that are filled with water and petals of various colors.
What flowers are needed
To decorate the table with flowers, you need to choose the right vases. Large ones should be used for bouquets that were presented to a person for his birthday. When setting a table for a holiday, small vases that do not block people’s view are most suitable. Additionally, it is worth providing a moderate aroma of flowers, which must not mix with the smell of food or in any way interrupt it.
What unique compositions are needed?
Different fruit towers will look great on the holiday table. Depending on what time of year it is, it is possible to make products from rowan berries, sand, cones or branches. Such compositions can be combined with home furnishings. Handmade decorative items are now very popular.
For a holiday for children, you need to choose plastic utensils or purchase safe utensils without pointed ends. A festive tablecloth is most suitable different colors, with characters from fairy tales or cartoons. Place small sweet gifts near the napkins, which need to be rolled into a unique shape. When it’s a little girl’s birthday, the table needs to be decorated with a variety of flowers. But don’t overdo it with them; it’s best to decorate the table with paper garlands or balloons. It is necessary to install special signs at each place at the table with the names of invited guests, which will help to avoid misunderstandings at the birthday party.
A beautifully and high-quality table set for a holiday can produce unforgettable emotions among guests at home. This is not a matter of etiquette rules at all. It will just always be nice if there is complete order and a cozy atmosphere in the apartment. That is why it is always important that the hostess knows how to set the table with high quality, knows the rules of etiquette perfectly and adheres to them.
Holiday is good mood, meeting with friends and family, having fun and, of course, a festive table with mouth-watering and delicious dishes. Housewives try to prepare delicious and varied delicacies to please their households and guests. For a festive table, along with the taste of the prepared dishes, proper and beautiful serving and table decoration is of great importance. Beautifully decorated dishes and the use of various decorative attributes can make even an ordinary dinner unforgettable. And for a celebration, table setting is of great importance and can turn a feast into an aesthetic pleasure and create a special feeling of celebration.
Table setting is the correct, competent arrangement of cutlery and dishes and decorative design, thanks to which you can create a homely, cozy atmosphere or a pompous and elegant atmosphere appropriate for the celebration. The overall decoration of the table should be decorated in a common unified style, not overloaded with unnecessary tableware and decorative elements and correspond to the theme of the holiday.
Proper setting of the festive table requires the presence of all the necessary cutlery, individually for each guest, so that he can sit and eat comfortably, having enough space for personal space. The main elements of serving are a tablecloth, napkins, plates, glasses and glasses, cutlery: forks, spoons and knives for various purposes. The color, size and shape of the tablecloth are of great importance. Since it takes up as much space as possible on the table and is the background of the overall decoration. The dimensions and shape must correspond to the parameters of the table, the optimal length of freely hanging edges is no more than 30 cm. The color of the tablecloth should be harmoniously combined with the dishes and correspond to the solemnity of the event. A white, light or pastel tablecloth will make the festive table especially solemn and elegant. This tablecloth will go well with any colored utensils. White plates will highlight the elegant setting, and any bright colors will stand out in contrast against a light background. The number of plates and cutlery used depends on the intended course changes. Proper serving involves arranging dishes in a sequence that is convenient for use when serving dishes in stages. On the lower serving plate place a plate for the main course, the next appetizer and, if necessary, the topmost one for soup. A small pie plate for bread is placed to the left, slightly higher from the main plates. 
For various celebrations, special decorative elements are used that indicate compliance with a specific holiday. All these elements refer to additional decoration that decorates the table and creates the overall mood. But there are basic components without which setting a festive table is impossible: cutlery, porcelain and glassware, textiles and paper products. These components should be correctly and conveniently placed on the table, creating a single harmonious style.
The basic rules for serving a festive table have been formed over many years and are now the art of decorating a celebration. The selection of all components must be approached comprehensively and carefully, without being afraid to experiment and innovate. The owners themselves decide how to set the table so that it not only has an aesthetically attractive appearance, but is comfortable for all the guests seated at it.Selection and placement of serving elements
Choosing a tablecloth
Intense colors of the tablecloth are more suitable for cozy feasts, creating a warm family atmosphere. A holiday for children should be bright and fabulous, which is why a tablecloth is chosen with a colorful, rich pattern. To decorate and create an unusual color effect, you can use a table runner or tablecloth; the appearance of a two-layer tablecloth makes the table decoration elegant and solemn. The photo shows a table setting using a naperon:Plates and cutlery
Cutlery is laid out on different sides of the plate. On the right is space for spoons and knives, on the left for forks. The sequence of cutlery corresponds to the serving of dishes; the later the cutlery is used, the closer it is to the plates. A spoon for soup and a fork for appetizers are placed along the edges; a teaspoon and fork for the main course are placed closer to the plates. If necessary, utensils for fish or seafood are placed between them. On the right, with the blade facing the plates, knives are placed in the sequence of their use. Dessert cutlery is placed on top of the plates, parallel to the edge of the table; they will be needed last and will not interfere with the feast.
On the right, above the plates, all the necessary glassware for drinks is placed. The water glass is placed first, followed by the remaining glass or crystal wine glasses and glasses.
All unnecessary or used utensils are removed from the table during the meal so as not to clutter up the free space.
The sequence of correct arrangement of cutlery is presented in the table setting presentation:
