How to Set a Nice Table

You think of setting a nice table when you have guests over for a special meal. It is nice to buy flowers and candles to make guests feel welcome, but your own family is more important than anyone. Arranging a centerpiece and lighting candles can make any meal feel special. Start a weekday meal with a plate of nicely arranged salad as a first course. As a bonus it will get everyone to eat some vegetables before they fill up on other foods. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1

Protect the surface of a wooden table with a table pad if you will be placing hot or cold dishes on it.

2

Spread a tablecloth on the table. A white cloth is a good choice because you can dress it up to match the colors of your dinning room, and a colored cloth looks great with solid colored dishes. The cloth should be at least 20 inches larger than the table in both length and width. It is OK if the cloth overhang is slightly longer on the short ends of the table. If you do not need to use a table pad, you can use place mats instead of a table cloth.

3

Add runner, a long piece of decorative cloth about 15 inches wide, down the center of the table, if you choose. A runner is a good way to add color if you are using a white cloth and white china. The runner should not be longer than the table cloth.

4

Arrange some greenery along the center of the length of the table. Two, 2-foot-long pieces of ivy or a few branches of boxwood are sufficient. Point the cut ends of the stems toward the center of the table. The centerpiece will cover them. If you are using more than one piece on each side of the table, stick the cut ends of the pieces further along the length of the table under the leaves at the ends of the first pieces. Arrange the greenery in a graceful "S"-shaped curve.

5

Set your centerpiece in the center of the table over the ends of the stems of the greenery. Nestle votive candles in among the leaves of the greenery along the table.

6

Place a large charger plate at each place, if desired. Finish setting the table with silverware and glasses. Place a knife to the right of the plate, a teaspoon to the right of the knife. Place the dinner fork to the left of the plate and the salad fork to the left of it. The glasses go above the knife and spoon. If you are using bread and butter plates, they go above the forks.

7

Fold a napkin into a rectangle and lay it to the left of the forks. You may place it in a napkin ring if you choose. You may add a place card in a place card holder above the plate. Write each person's name on his place card.

8

Put any condiments such as salad dressing or lemon slices into attractive serving containers. Put out a serving spoon or fork for every dish.

9

Arrange salads with greens and other diced or grated vegetables on salad plates. Keep them in chilled until you are ready to serve.

10

Light the candles, fill the glasses with ice water or other beverages and set a plate of salad in the center of each place setting. Do this just before everyone comes to the table.