Table setting at home: basic rules and serving options for different occasions

Modern life is so fast that many are accustomed to eating on the go, not devoting sufficient time and attention to this process. But now the top of chivalry and style on any festive feast is a beautifully served table.

It will depend on how correctly the arrangement of plates, glasses, glasses, forks and spoons, napkins and the rest is done - your attitude towards the guest, the identity of the festive table in the conditions of home holidays, the level of artistic taste and aesthetics mistresses.

Basic Rules

When laying on the table, the following sequence should be observed:

• First, a tablecloth covers the table.
• Then, according to the arranged chairs, dishes are displayed.
• Then the cutlery is laid out.
• Glasses, wine glasses, glasses, glasses (each of them, as necessary) are exposed to the available plates.
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• And at the end - table decoration elements.

Each of the above items for table setting requires careful selection and proper use, as well as the ability to serve.

A beautiful festive tablecloth should be perfectly ironed. It cannot have smoothed lines. The color, texture and material of the tablecloth should be appropriate for the situation. Solemn events require white or neutral light shades of tablecloths. The material is better suited silk, linen embossed or jacquard. These are peculiar rules. Confirmation - a photo from the Internet where these colors are used.

When serving for family events, children's parties - bright and patterned tablecloths will be just right. But for thematic feasts (New Year, Easter, etc.), tablecloths with drawings that are appropriate for the situation will be great.

The correct size of the tablecloth should be such that it covers the entire surface of the countertop and hangs at least 25 cm from the edges. As much as possible the edge should hang down to a level not lower than a chair seat. As a rule, a tablecloth duplicates the shape of the table.

Two tablecloths can be used - the larger one is spread out from below with the classical method, and the smaller one is laid out diagonally. That is, the corners of a small tablecloth are in the middle of each side. If you set the table this way, it will look more aesthetically pleasing.

Also on top of a large tablecloth that covers the entire countertop, you can lay out in the center a path that runs along the long side of the table.

The appliances that should be on the table depend on what will be served to guests as a treat. It can be plates of various depths, knife, fork, spoon. Glasses or wineglasses and glasses. Also dishes and cutlery for dessert.

Subtleties of design for different meals

Depending on which event is being served, the following types of table settings are distinguished:

• Banquet
• Buffet.
• Tea room.
• Coffee Shop.
• Full evening.
• Lunch, for breakfast or dinner.

Dining room

The easiest serving is lunch, for breakfast or dinner. As a rule, in this case, serving takes place for members of the same family. It can be a Sunday dinner together, or breakfast. It is good when everyone is accustomed to set the table daily, giving atmospheric food intake. This, by the way, promotes family cohesion, develops certain traditions.

To do this, take plates that are suitable for the served dish. Next put a spoon, fork and, if necessary, a knife. If this is a normal meal, then add a glass under juice or water, a cup for tea or coffee with a saucer to the serving. If this, for example, is Sunday dinner, and it is planned to take alcohol, then also glasses or glasses. In this case, the presence of glasses for water should also be taken into account.

Table cloth can be decorated with ordinary fabric napkins, they can simply be folded in the shape of a rectangle, or laid out in an intricate way. A dish with a variety of fruits or berries can decorate breakfast or dinner. It is always worth considering that the salt shaker and pepper shaker should be served on the table.

Full evening will have some differences. The use of dishes is only plain. Various complex decors are not used - a modest vase (necessarily low and simple in shape) in which there will be a minimum number of flowers on a low leg will be enough. It is better to choose a white tablecloth, as an exception, you can allow the use of delicate pastel shades.

Bottles of champagne, wine or other alcohol must be uncorked. Next to the glasses should also put a tissue napkin.

Banquet serving

Banquet serving is close to full evening - monotony in dishes, napkins and tablecloths should be traced. To the left of the glasses, in the case of a banquet, place a card with the name of the invitee.

Buffet table setting is becoming increasingly popular. There are two types of them. The first is characterized in that the table is placed along the wall. It is decorated on one side, that is, guests come to it only on one side. This option is suitable for private parties, for hotels and hotels with a buffet. In the second case, the table is set in such a way that it is accessible from all sides. Use this type for the organization of weddings, office parties.

REFERENCE! In the event that a large number of guests are present at the buffet, it is permissible to allocate a separate table for alcohol and snacks. On it are all bottles with alcohol, turned in one direction with labels.

Coffee serving

Coffee serving depends on what type of coffee will be served - in Turkish, in a geyser coffee maker, latte or cappuccino from the coffee maker. In any case, three elements are needed - a coffee cup and saucer and a coffee spoon. Dessert is served on a common dish, accompanied by dessert plates and devices for them, whether it is a spoon or a fork with a knife, calculated by the number of guests.

Appropriate decoration with a vase of fruit. Serving begins with filling the central part - where the berries, fruits and desserts are located. Coffee is prepared and served only after guests have arrived.

Tea serving - it can be arranged immediately by placing cups on the table, if the exact number of guests is known. Each needs to be equipped with an appropriate saucer for a cup and a dessert plate with a spoon, fork and knife. One or two of these appliances can be removed. So, for example, if dessert should be eaten with a spoon, then do not serve the fork and knife. In the center is a dish with desserts or a cake-box with a cake. By the way, a special spatula is used to feed the pieces of cake. Also, the serving can be supplemented with a vase or a large dish, on which the fruit is laid out, both sliced ​​and whole.

How to position devices

When arranging the dishes, it should be kept between the devices about a centimeter. This will allow the guest to use the space as ergonomically as possible. From the edge of the table to the plate should be from 1.5 cm to 2 cm. The plates are placed in the following sequence - a large-diameter snack bar, on it is smaller, and on top you can put a deep, designed for the first dish, if any menu.

General plate classification:

• The diner is big - put on the very bottom.
• A small diner or a small diner is on top of a large one.
• Deep dining room - located at the top when serving only if guests are planning to serve soup.
• The patty plate is located on the left side of the main plates and is used to serve toasts, pies, sandwiches. Their number should correspond to the number of guests.
• Dessert, deep and dessert, shallow - they replace the main plates. One is served, depending on the type and size of the dessert.
• During the dessert, a bowl can be set if ice cream, cream, cream, blanc monge, jelly, etc. are served.
• When serving, common dishes are egg, caviar, salad bowl, scrambler, large dish, fish plate, herring, rosette.

Under the edge of the plate, it is desirable to put a napkin on the right. For festive occasions it is better to use fabric, while for ordinary holidays - paper is suitable.

Naturally, the plates should be clean and dry. It is considered bad form to put wet plates on the table. But the plates, grated to a shine, eloquently speak of the hostess as the owner of good taste. The height of skill and style is serving heated dishes to the table so that the food laid in them is warm. But to do this is necessary only before landing guests at the table. It is very difficult to do this. A special electrical cabinet, which serves to heat the plates, can help with this. It maintains a certain temperature, which is comfortable and does not burn hands.

Further on the right side of the plates put the knives and spoon. And on the left side along the plates are forks. The dessert spoon, knife and fork are laid out above the plate in a horizontal direction. Moreover, the handle of the spoon and knife look to the right, while the handle of the fork - to the left. That is, as they are picked up. Glasses are placed diagonally to the right - the largest are the farthest in size, and the smaller ones are closer to the edge.

Types of utensils for alcoholic and other types of drinks:

• For champagne - narrow tall and goblet-shaped with a wide neck.
• To red wine.
• White blame.
• Glasses for potterwein.
• Alcoholic.
• For sherry and vermouth.
• Under brandy and brandy.
• For whiskey.
• Glasses for vodka.

Table setting allows you to place a saucer with a teaspoon to the right of the main plates and a knife with spoons.

Napkins - are the final touch. If it is done carelessly, it can ruin the overall impression. In addition to the fact that the napkin can decorate the table, it also performs a practical function. It’s worth mentioning right away that napkins are:

• Paper.
• Fabric - linen, silk, cotton.

Ideally, if the napkin, especially for special occasions, will be made of the same fabric as the tablecloth. Each napkin has its own purpose. You can use paper to wipe your hands or mouth. Whereas the tissue usually covers the knees. It is allowed to set aside or hang on the back of the chair when folded.

Table decor should be in keeping with the spirit of the event. As decorating compositions are most often used:

• Candles with candlesticks.
• Small vases with flowers.
• Vases with fruits.
• Christmas-tree compositions - for Christmas and New Year.
• Children's motifs, such as small toys - for a children's party.
• Cloth napkins laid with decorative techniques.

Where to place the serving attributes

Salt shakers, pepper shakers, mustard plasters or gravy boats are usually placed closer to the middle of the table. If you reach far behind them, then you just need to ask to transfer the necessary device.

Napkins are laid out for each guest individually. But a place is allowed on the table, where they put a common napkin holder with paper napkins. This is usually the corner of the table where no one is sitting. With the expectation that she did not bother anyone.

ATTENTION! If it is possible to place on the table all of the above devices in more than one instance, then they are placed on the table evenly.

Serving for a children's holiday

Organization of a children's holiday allows you to use colorful dishes.

IMPORTANT! The cutlery and utensils used must necessarily meet the safety condition when used by children.

On the table, it is better to put a decoration that matches the theme of the event. For example, a tower of sliced ​​fruit or laid out in the shape of an animal. Fruits, for example, can lay out the date of birth.

Small surprises can add fun. Guests can hand in paper caps.

When choosing a menu, it is advisable to take into account that it is not peculiar to children to sit at a table for a long time. Therefore, you can cook small sandwiches and sliced ​​vegetables and fruits - such a treat you can always pick up.

New Year's holiday table setting

The arrangement of dishes and appliances on the festive table, including New Year's, remains the same as always. Only tablecloths, napkins and decor can differ.

When choosing a tablecloth, you should give preference to bright, for example, red or green colors. Themed drawings look especially good. They can be stuffed. And an embroidered New Year's tablecloth will be able to create a certain atmosphere. Napkins are best chosen so that they make up a good tandem with the color scheme of the tablecloth. It is not necessary to choose the same colors for them; it can be a color combination of red and green (traditional New Year colors), yellow and red, and other options.

With the decor for the New Year's table, everything is quite certain. Candles with New Year's motives, if you prefer green, red, gold or silver, will inspire a spirit of celebration and fabulousness. They will add not only romance, but also create warmth and comfort. You can also use holiday napkin folding techniques. On the table, you can set a festive composition of pine twigs or Christmas trees with cones. But it must be compact, otherwise it will look awkward.