Whether hosting a large formal dinner or just cooking a small meal for two, celebrate this Thanksgiving in style by giving your guests a tablescape fitting for a feast. The focal point of any dinner party is always the table, so your presentation can definitely set the tone for your celebration. This Thanksgiving holiday curate a proper place setting, making a statement with even the simplest of dinner sets and decorations.
Basic Place Setting Etiquette
For the no-frills kind of host, a basic proper place setting has 4 components. A plate, utensils, a drinking glass and a napkin. Start with the dinner plate, making it the centerpiece of the setting. Place the fork to the left of the plate. Then place the knife, blade always facing inwards towards the plate, followed side by side with the spoon to the right of the plate. Stage the drinking glass at the top right of the plate above the knife and spoon. Lastly the napkin can go on the plate or to the left of the fork.
Optional Thanksgiving Place Setting Pieces
For a slightly more formal place setting, such as the one pictured in our post, consider incorporating a few more place setting pieces, that work for a celebratory meal like Thanksgiving. A salad fork and a salad plate is a not a must, for if salad is to be eaten with the meal it can be served directly on the dinner plate. Yet if the main dish contains anything runny, such as gravy, then it is better to serve the salad on a separate plate to keep things more presentable. Following an “outside-in” order, in other words according to when you need to use them, place the salad fork to the left of the dinner fork. The salad plate can be set to the left of the forks or placed on top of the dinner plate on the top of the main plate for a more streamlined look. A bread plate with butter knife is another optional setting that works for Thanksgiving. If used, the bread plate goes above the forks, with the butter knife placed diagonally across the edge of the plate, handle on the right side and blade facing down.
Fine china or paper goods, a proper place setting is a great way to spruce up your table design with a touch of sophistication.
Table Decor Tips
Ordering a custom floral arrangement can be expensive. Using a cake stand as a pedestal, stage a cluster of store bought pumpkins with some fall leaves, or even acorns, from your yard, for an look effortless decorative piece. For a long term investment, glass pumpkins are great quirky knick knacks that can transition from Halloween to Thanksgiving.
For more Thanksgiving tips check out my Thanksgiving Meal Plan post, where I share all my favorite Thanksgiving appetizers, meal dishes and desserts!
Leave a Reply