Holiday Table Etiquette

The holiday table looks festive and inviting, but is it proper? Take your hosting to the next level by refining your holiday table with etiquette and table settings throughout the new year.

• Place cards

  I personally prefer to place the cards on the napkin atop of the appetizer plate. Tip: add the names on both sides of the card for everyone’s view.

• Utensils

  Forks go to the left of the plate and knives and spoons are placed to the right. Tip: the knife’s blade faces inward and the utensils are in chronological (usage) order from the outside in.  Above the plate lays the dessert fork and/or spoon. Tip: the spoon faces the sweets and the fork turns toward the glassware.

• Glassware

  Place the glass water above the plate and above the utensils. Tip: the red wine glass goes to the right and the white wine glass goes slightly below that glass to the left.

• Napkin

  For ease, the napkin can be placed directly on the appetizer plate.

• Salt and pepper

  Season from the left (pepper) or right (salt) from the seasonings placed in the center of each opposite setting.

• Dinner plate

  This highly anticipated plate is added to the tablescape right before dinner’s main course.

Mar

Photo by: @lilly_penner