If you and your family and loved ones are catching up only on weekends at the dinner table, why not make it extra special by setting up a formal dinner table. Formal dinner table settings are also appropriate when you have guests coming over or for other formal and special events.
Before setting the table, get out all the utensils that you will need and set them on the counter. Make sure to get enough for all your dinner guests and use plates, bowls, and silverware from the same set for uniformity. The items not to miss out on are:
Dinner plate with salad or soup bowl on it, knife, small spoon, soup spoon, bread plate with butter knife, coffee cup, water glass, wine glass, salad fork, dinner fork, and dessert fork.
Have a centerpiece that will reflect the mood that you want to have during dinner. Have a bouquet of flowers, candles, or a basket of fruit if you to have a formal and elegant dinner. Having a toy or any representative object (such as wrapped gifts) can make the dinner extra playful or look celebratory (especially if you will indeed have a celebration that night).
Dinner plates are placed approximately an inch away from the edge of the table. This is just the exact distance so people will not be stooping down or reaching out to their plates. Prints or patterns printed on your plate should be seen at the right side of the person.
The knife is placed on the right side of the plate with its blades inward. Ensure that the blade is just on the side, and not underneath the plate.
On the left of the dinner plate should be the fork, and when resting, fork prongs should face upwards. The tablespoon is placed next to the knife.
The napkin may simply be folded in half or you may use some fancy folding technique. As for placement, you can place them on top of the dinner plate, or beside the flatware (found on your left).
If extra fork or spoon is needed (for dessert, soups or salad), place the extra spoons next to the main spoons and the extra fork beside the main forks.
Always remember that silverware is used from the outside in – so the first ones that will be used should be at the farthest side of the dinner plate, while the last ones are the ones nearer the plate.
It is actually fun to set-up a dinner table especially when you know that your family will be enjoying it as well. No need to purchase new and expensive table pieces and china. All you need are the basics and a little creativity in making dinner and other meal times as special as your love for the family.