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How to serve at home. Table setting: concept and essence. general serving rules

Every woman wants surprise your friends culinary delights at a festive dinner. However, in order to produce a stunning effect, it is necessary to understand how properly serve home table . Most correct location cutlery and dishes able to create a cozy atmosphere. This article will describe what you need to know about proper serving, how to to prepare qualitatively dinner table for a meal or holiday.

Table setting rules for etiquette

Table setting is usually called the correct arrangement of all cutlery and its colorful design. Optimal choice details for decoration and utensils depends on the purpose of the meal.

However, the following etiquette serving rules always remain unchanged:

1. The banquet room must be bright, well ventilated and large enough to accommodate all the invited people.
2. Cutlery and crockery must be polished and washed well. It is worth making sure that there are no stains from water on them.
3. Festive table any shape is chosen, but its dimensions are selected based on the total number of people. Experts advise that one guest should be about 80 centimeters long.
4. Festive tablecloth must be perfectly clean, high-quality ironed and match the dimensions of the table. It is necessary that the edges of the tablecloth hang no more than 35 centimeters, and the corners hide the legs a little.
5. Forks, knives, spoons and glasses should be placed near the plates in the correct order.
6. In addition to cutlery for personal use, additional cutlery should be laid out on the table, which are designed to lay food from large dishes.
7. All cutlery for the table and their location must be exactly the same. Do not use different sets, unsharpened knives, devices with flaws or chipped corners.

In order to cover the surface with a tablecloth with your own hands, first of all, you need to put the folded product on the table, and then, lifting it by the edges, lower your hands quite sharply. After these steps, the tablecloth will fit perfectly.

How to properly set the table

It does not matter whether it is a holiday or a regular meal, according to all the rules of etiquette, it is necessary to set the table in the following order:

• a large table is covered with a clean tablecloth;
• plates are placed opposite the chairs;
• the necessary cutlery is located;
• put glasses, glasses and glasses;
• then you should arrange all the dishes;
• have napkin holders;
• there are containers with salt and sets of seasonings;
• table decorate different colors, unique compositions or candles.

At first it seems to many that following all the rules for arranging appliances on a festive table is quite difficult. However, these rules are quite simple and were invented only for the convenience of a person. Cutlery should be arranged in order of their use. The most extreme are needed for hot dishes. Plates must be placed in the center of each seat 3 centimeters from the edge of the table surface. When many dishes are supposed to be served on any holiday, it is customary to put large dishes on smaller ones. Plates for bread or pies are placed at a distance of about 10 centimeters to the left.

Forks, spoons and knives are placed near the plate with the tip up, while the blade of the knife should look at the plate. On the left, you need to put the forks, and on the other hand, there should be knives. When dessert is served, the soup spoon should be placed above the plate, and in other versions, it is located on the right side, near the knife. Before an important holiday, such as a birthday, the list of utensils must include an additional small fork for snacks, utensils for fish or other dishes, and a knife.

There must be a distance of about one centimeter between the cutlery and the plate.. Glasses for drinks should be placed on right hand person. When it is supposed to serve water and wine at the same time, then the drink closest to the dish that is served very first is located. The nearest glass or glass must be on a certain line of intersection large plate and main knife. In the case when the dishes have handles, then it should be turned to the right. Total number cutlery for each person should not exceed more than three items. If people are confused about the rules for arranging appliances on the table, then you should watch special training videos.

How to arrange sets for spices and various napkins

Napkins are an indispensable detail when laying a festive table. Specialists distinguish napkins by the type of material. Linen napkins are usually placed under deep plates or used for protection. Paper napkins are placed in a napkin holder at a distance of about 40 centimeters from the edge of the table. And also napkins can be rolled into various interesting shapes, for example, envelopes, different flowers or ships.

When napkins are needed not only to give the table elegance, then they need to be very easy to unfold. When performing table setting, you should not forget about the spice set, which should contain pepper and salt. Do not fill the containers completely, it will be enough to fill them up to half. When there should be meat dishes on the menu, horseradish or mustard must be put on the table.

How to properly set the table for different events

On all weekends, the whole family is usually at home, and the woman cooks wonderful meals and all sorts of conversations are sure to take place when eating. This can be considered the most suitable time to give a special feeling to the meal with the help of high-quality table setting. home comfort. You can always create a festive atmosphere with your own hands. In cases where a family has children, this can serve good lesson how to behave in polite society. This requires different cutlery and skills on how to use them correctly.

How to set the table for breakfast

A good meal in the morning can set the mood for the whole day. In order to present dishes harmoniously, you need to remember some rules. First you should arrange plates for snacks, and then saucers with cups and small spoons. They are placed in the middle of the table so that any member of the family is able to get them. In cases where eggs are prepared for breakfast, it is customary to serve them in a specialized stand with a high leg. She must stand on a small saucer, on which an egg spoon rests. Any porridge is poured into a rather deep plate, which is located on top of the snack dishes.

It is customary to serve pies on a large dish, which should contain jam, honey or butter. To conveniently take oil, each person needs a small knife. Without fail, a beautiful napkin holder with many napkins should be on the table. It will be very beautiful when they are made in the same style with tea insulation. And also do not forget about sugar and salt.

Table setting for dinner

IN daytime it is best to serve the first, second and dessert. That is why for the most high-quality table setting with your own hands for dinner, you need a lot large quantity cutlery rather than morning reception food. For main dishes, additional forks, spoons and special spatulas are needed. Bouillon cups or large plates are usually placed on plates for appetizers, and desserts are served later, after the main dishes have been eaten and all the dishes have been removed. Do not forget about meat and fish knives. Only forks should be served with meat products.

How to set the table for dinner

Table setting for dinner is almost the same as the previous preparation. As a rule, pies or pancakes are colorfully served on a large dish. Dessert plates are placed immediately. On the right they put spoons or forks for dessert. When it is necessary to give the process of eating an atmosphere of romance, then it is worth putting candlesticks with candles on the table.

Proper table setting for the holiday

Before the festive meal, you need to take care of everything in advance decorative elements. Not only traditions and table setting rules are very important here, but also good combination shades of all elements. These include:

• tablecloth and napkins;
• crockery and cutlery;
• candles;
• flowers;
• unique compositions.

What do you need napkins and tablecloths

The whole gamut of shades can be absolutely any, but it is quite important that the napkins harmonize well with the tablecloth. Worth the classic White color, bed shades of green, delicate lilac or blue. For a romantic dinner, delicate pink, burgundy or bright red colors are most suitable. These napkins should be given a unique shape or folded into the right tubes and carefully tied with a beautiful ribbon.

What cutlery and crockery do you need?

The festive table will be well decorated with dishes in the form of unusual geometric shapes, cutlery with unique handles of famous designers. And also a set of white porcelain will look unusual. However, when the napkins and tablecloth are also white, it is better to use a set of dishes with a beautiful border.

What candles are needed

A similar element is most suitable for a romantic date or wedding. When celebrating a birthday, you should do with candles on a birthday cake. It must be remembered that big role given to the candlestick. They are thin and large, or candles are able to float in beautiful bowls that are filled with water and petals of various colors.

What flowers are needed

To decorate the table with flowers, you need to choose the right vases. Large ones should be used for bouquets that were presented to a person for his birthday. The most suitable when setting a table for a holiday are small vases that do not block the view of people. Additionally, it is worth considering a moderate aroma of flowers, which must not mix with the smell of food or somehow interrupt it.

What unique compositions are needed

Various fruit towers will look great on the festive table. Depending on what time of the year is in the yard, it is possible to make products from mountain ash, sand, cones or branches. Similar compositions can be combined with home furnishings. Handmade decorative products are now very popular.

For a holiday for children, you need to choose plastic dishes or purchase safe appliances without pointed ends. A festive tablecloth is most suitable in different colors, with characters from fairy tales or cartoons. Near the napkins that need to be folded into a unique shape, it is worth putting small sweet gifts. When a little girl has a birthday, the table must be decorated with a variety of flowers. But do not overdo it with them, it is best to decorate the table with paper garlands or balloons. It is necessary to install special signs with the names of invited guests at each place at the table, which will help to avoid misunderstandings at the birthday party.

A beautifully and high-quality served table for a holiday is able to produce unforgettable emotions for guests at home. This is not a matter of etiquette at all. It will just always be nice if the apartment is in perfect order and cozy atmosphere. That is why it is always important that the hostess knows how to set the table with high quality, knows the rules of etiquette and adheres to them.

Proper serving cutlery and appropriate decoration can create a special atmosphere at the table, in which even the simplest homemade dish will be perceived as a culinary masterpiece.

For a real hostess, the ability to lay a table is no less important than the presence of culinary talents. Proper serving is a sign of attention and respect for those sitting at the table, as well as an indicator of the taste of the hostess herself.

Where to begin?

Before you start serving, you need to carefully plan and think through everything. Be sure to take into account the number of guests and the menu - the type and number of dishes depends on what devices will be used.

First of all, a carefully ironed tablecloth spreads on the table. They cover it in such a way that the corners cover the legs of the table, and the edges hang from the table by 25-30 cm. The edge of the tablecloth should not fall below the seat of the chair, so as not to cause inconvenience to those sitting.

So that the dishes do not knock on the table, you can put under the tablecloth soft tissue(e.g. fleece).

Even the most expensive and beautiful tablecloth should not be covered with oilcloth on top as a precaution - etiquette does not allow this. But buying and laying a Teflon tablecloth on the table is not forbidden.

The Teflon coating of such a tablecloth does not allow spilled drinks and fat to be absorbed into the material, so they can be easily removed with a sponge. After removing the liquid, it will not leave unaesthetic marks and wet spots.

In some cases, instead of a tablecloth, the use of underplates or runners is allowed. The first are stands. different configuration placed under plates and cutlery. Underplates are plastic, bamboo, made of rattan, or just paper. The second are narrow fabric strips spread only in the center of the table.

As for cutlery and utensils, before placing it is necessary to check them for integrity(there must be no chips, cracks, rust, bent parts) and cleanliness.

To remove dust and traces of water, all dishes are wiped with a damp warm towel and polished with a dry cloth.

Important! Proper table setting requires that all sets of cutlery be placed in the same order. In an informal setting, it is allowed to use different utensils for different guests. But at the same time, for each individual participant in the meal, all devices must be equipped from one set.

What is for what?

There is a wide variety of serving items. Most of them are not used daily at home, but they may well be needed to organize a banquet or gala dinner.

Dishes

About 35 species are known. However, the most commonly used are:

• Soup. A recessed plate that serves not only soups, but also muesli, milk with cereal or oatmeal. But broths, according to the rules, are not served in such dishes - special bowls are provided for them.
• Dinner plates. They are shallow and deep. Small ones are used for serving second courses, and pasta and other pasta dishes are put into deep ones.

• Pirozhkovaya. Bread, croutons or butter are served on it. Place it on top and slightly to the left of the main set. A small butter knife is placed on top of it.
• Chill mold. It looks like a clam shell. Designed for salad appetizers or oysters.
• Fish. Slightly elongated for easier handling of fish dishes.

In addition, there are caviar, egg, dessert, salad bowls and many others. In addition, there is also such a type of plate as a serving plate. It is placed under a plate for snacks, soups or main courses.

According to the rules of etiquette, it may differ from the rest of the dishes (be from a different set or a different color).

Glasses

Most often, glasses and wine glasses are used as utensils for drinks. They may vary in shape, volume and have various purpose, which should also be taken into account when preparing for the meeting of guests:

• Classic elongated glasses with a volume of 120-200 ml are intended for champagne sparkling wines. served for refined champagne wines. Refrigerate before filling.
• A glass that differs slightly from the classic one in increased volume, with a slightly narrowed neck, is served for refined champagne wines. Refrigerate before filling. And fill it no more than 2/3.
• For white wine, use glasses with an elongated bowl on a narrow leg, with a volume of 180-260 ml.
• Red wine is poured into wider and more open glasses.
• Cognac glasses can have a classic shape (snifters) or a tulip shape.

Cutlery

Over the years of the evolution of the art of cooking and serving, no less than plates, cutlery has also appeared. All of them are usually divided into main and auxiliary (they are also called serving devices).

The first are intended for individual use. The second is used by all participants in the meal. They serve to separate and cut dishes into portions, laying them out on individual plates.

The main devices, in turn, are divided into:

• Canteens. They eat soups and main dishes. The set includes a knife 20-24 cm long, a fork and a spoon, which are 5-6 cm shorter than the knife.
• Eateries. Designed for snacks and cold dishes. Consists of a knife and fork.
• Fish. A set of slightly modified forks and knives. Fish knife - blunt, in the form of a spatula. The fish fork has shortened teeth.
• Dessert. A trident fork 18-19 cm long, a small spoon and a knife with a narrow blade. Served with pies, mousses, puddings and other desserts. A dessert spoon can also be served with fried eggs and berries with cream.
• fruity. These include a fork with two prongs and a knife. They are used for fruit salads, melons, watermelons and unpeeled fruit desserts.

In addition, special utensils designed for certain dishes (for example, a fork for oysters, sprats or lobsters) may be served.

What and how to use?

The greatest difficulty is most often the unfolding and use of cutlery. The rule can help here: devices are always used in the direction from the edge to the center and from right to left. This means that when a meal is supposed to be changed, those cutlery that lies farthest from the main plate will be used first. When in doubt, the device located on the right is taken first.

Placement rules

Serving is a whole science with a long history, which has its own rules and exceptions. However, if you remember the basics, then setting the table correctly will not be difficult at all:

• The dishes are placed on the table in a strictly defined sequence. First - faience and porcelain items, then - cutlery. At the end they put objects made of glass and crystal.
• It is necessary to decompose everything so that what is needed first of all lies closest. When scheduling multiple meals, dishes and cutlery are arranged in the order in which the food will be served. At the same time, it is not necessary to pile everything on the table at once. It is enough to put the devices intended for serving dishes on the first and second. Dessert sets can be arranged later - after the main ones are removed.
• The knife should be placed so that its blade is turned towards the dishes.
• According to the etiquette, a glass (glass) should be placed above the knife. If several types of glasses are used, then they are all placed side by side.
• Forks must be laid out according to left side from a plate.
• Spoons are always located to the right of knives.
• If you plan to serve Italian dishes, there should be a plate for bread on the table.
• If there is soup on the menu, the soup spoon is placed between the knives for snacks and fish.

In addition, there are several generally accepted rules regulating the location of individual serving items.

Dishes

According to the rules, the layout of dishes should begin with plates. At the same time, it is necessary to put them so that they are 1.5-2 cm from the edge of the table. The distance between them should be approximately the same. It is believed that the dishes should be arranged with an interval of 50 cm - so that those sitting at the table are comfortable.

Plates with cutlery should lie opposite each chair. Their number depends on the variety of the menu and the type of meal. For example, for a regular snack, one plate will be enough, but for lunch and dinner, two are served.

Smaller cymbals are always stacked on top of larger ones, allowing for quick replacement while saving space on the table.

Spoons and forks

Appliances are laid out behind the plates. They must be placed on the sides of the main plate, turning the concave side to the table.

Forks are placed on the left side, spoons and knives are placed on the right. A teaspoon can be placed on top.

It is important to place on the table only those devices that are really needed. Most often, one knife, one fork and two spoons (for a hot dish and dessert) are enough for a regular meal. If necessary, this set is supplemented with special devices.

Glasses

Behind the plates, a little to the right, you can arrange the glasses. When deciding on a variety of glasses, glasses and wine glasses, it is necessary to take into account the contingent of guests and the options for drinks offered to guests.

According to the rules, containers for drinks should be arranged from largest to smallest. At the same time, you should not put too many glasses or stacks - this will only clutter up the table and may cause inconvenience to guests.

Does color matter?

Color in serving is as important as when decorating an interior or choosing an outfit.

Most often, the table is covered with a white tablecloth, but any other color can be used to create an unusual atmosphere. Everything here will depend on the nature of the event and the preferences of the hosts.

White tablecloth, for example, perfect option for formal dinners. It goes well with porcelain, crystal and looks elegant in any situation. At the same time, white color can be easily combined with any other. The table, decorated in black and white, will look original.

A romantic mood for dinner or lunch will help to give a combination of white with delicate pastel shades. A green color will bring warm spring notes to the meal. The serving, completely made in green, will look original.

The combination of white and blue will also be beautiful, but red must be used with caution, since when various conditions it can affect others in different ways and influence the atmosphere at the table.

Decor

Decor will help complete the serving, give it completeness. The main decor element is napkins that can be placed in a water glass, laid out next to the plates or put on top.

For a quiet family dinner, you can use large napkins, for breakfast - a smaller size.

Proper serving is always a sign of attention to guests, a way to create a festive atmosphere, as well as an indicator of the artistic taste of the hostess.

• In this material, we will consider the rules of informal serving, that is, those that are appropriate for receiving guests at home in Everyday life and on holidays.
• Serving at home depends on the occasion, time of day, theme and menu, but in all cases the purpose of serving is the same - to lay out the dishes and cutlery so that it is convenient and pleasant for the diners to eat.

Based on this goal, the rules for table setting were invented. In everyday life, you need to observe all these canons only on the most solemn occasions, but once you have mastered their essence, you can set the table with your own hands for any occasion - from a romantic dinner to a family celebration of the New Year.

Before you start, take a look at two exemplary schemes table setting. As you can see, it is much easier to set a homemade festive table for guests than at an official reception!

So, how to set the table? We have compiled step by step instructions in a certain sequence, describing each of the stages. In short, the most convenient procedure is as follows:

• Tablecloth - Plates - Cutlery - Glasses - Napkins - Decor (flower vase, candles, themed decorations).

Keep in mind that a few days before the event you need to resolve all organizational issues and prepare:

• Decide on the number of people, make a menu, put the tablecloth in order, check the quantity and quality of napkins, dishes, cutlery, think over the decor.

On the day of the reception, wipe all the dishes and cutlery clean, and then proceed to setting the table.

Step 1. First we lay the tablecloth

The main thing here is to make sure that the overhang of the tablecloth is no more and no less than 20-30 cm. A shorter overhang will look ugly, and a longer one will be inconvenient for those sitting at the table.

As for the color, you can choose either a win-win and traditional white, or lay any option you like, complement it with tracks and underplates as shown in the photo.

And here are examples of festive serving at home without a tablecloth at all.

Step 2. Arrange the plates

This part of the "serving" theory will be the most extensive. After all, the composition and combination of plates depends on the planned menu, the number of guests and the scale of the holiday.

By classical rules table setting for one person may rely on several plates:

• Substitution large plate (serving) - it is not necessary for a daily and everyday table, and some serving styles (for example, rustic) allow its absence. The photo below shows examples of serving with and without a substitution plate.

You may also need: a medium (snack bar), a small (pie or dessert) and a deep plate for soup.

• According to the canon, the type of deep plate depends on the type of soup. For a thick one, choose a wide one (photo on the left), for a light broth or cream soup - a bowl with or without handles (photo on the right). But this is just the rule that can be completely ignored.

As for the arrangement of plates, snack or deep plates are placed on the substitution plates, dessert and / or salad plates are placed on the left as shown in the picture on the right. This place can also accommodate a tea pair, a pie plate or, for example, a bowl for eggs on the occasion of Easter. The photo below shows options for festive serving and the composition of the plates.

• Plates should be placed at a distance of 1.5-2 cm from the edge of the table and on the same distance from each other;
• To prevent the snack plate from sliding on the coaster, you need to put a paper or textile napkin between them, as shown in the photo below.

Step 3. Place cutlery

Now let's move on to the layout of the devices. They are placed on the sides according to the number of changes of dishes (concave side to the table):

• To the right of the plates are knives and spoons;
• Left - forks;
• You can put a teaspoon on top.

Festive serving at home does not require a large amount special knives, forks and spoons. Most often, one knife, one fork and a couple of spoons (for soup and dessert) are enough.

But if necessary and desired, you can additionally set the table with special forks, knives and spoons, as shown in the following photo selection.

You can learn more about the rules for arranging devices in the next video lesson.

Step 4. We put glasses, wine glasses, glasses

Next, behind the plates, a little to the right, we put the glasses from largest to smallest. Depending on the drinks available and the preferences of the guests, glasses for water, red / white wine, champagne and / or a glass for juice are displayed, strong drinks and glasses.

Step 5. Serve the napkins

For especially solemn occasions, napkins can be folded beautifully and artistically on a plate. For all other cases, there are no strict rules for serving napkins. They can be put in a glass of water, placed under a snack plate, put into rings, tied with a ribbon and decorated with decor.

If you set the table not for a holiday, but, for example, for dinner, then you can put napkins on the side of the plate under the forks as shown in the photo below.

Step 6. The final touch - the decor of the table

Hooray, almost done! It remains only to decorate the festive table with flowers in a vase and themed decorations. On New Year it can be cones, rosemary and fir branches, on March 8 - flower buds, and on Easter - hares and willow branches. The topic of table decor should be given more attention in a separate article, but for now, let's take a look at photos of beautifully decorated tables in different themes and styles.

Easter serving

And a little about the arrangement of dishes

In addition to serving cutlery and dishes, you need to lay out the dishes themselves with food. Here is a small reminder of how this can be done beautifully and correctly.

OK it's all over Now. We wish you successful practice and cheerful, sincere holidays!

You need to beautifully set not only the dining table on the occasion of the arrival of guests, but also for the family. Even kitchen and coffee tables deserve special treatment. Here are a few tips to help keep your set table simple and stylish. The main secret lies in the combination of texture, color and accessories.

1. Porcelain and glass

You don't have to spend a fortune on plates or glasses to have an elegant table. If properly decorated, it will look like a million. First of all, you need to pay attention to porcelain and glass.

We start with porcelain. On the table there should be a small plate, a salad plate, a bowl.
Use a stand plate. It is large enough and perfectly frames the dishes, outlining its boundaries. You can use a special rug, which, if desired, can be made with your own hands from decorative paper. Simple wreaths and even leaves will do.

Grouping glasses. If you put more than one glass on the table, then only this trick will already give the table a stylish and elegant look. Glasses should be grouped, there should be glasses for wine and glasses for water.
Cutlery can be connected with a ribbon or twine. In addition, they can be beautifully wrapped in a napkin.

2. Tablecloths

Tablecloths can completely change the mood, immediately creating a festive mood. Now exists huge selection all kinds of tablecloths, napkins, paths, which must certainly be different color, textures and patterns, it is desirable that they are all combined with each other. In addition, there should be themed sets that are suitable for certain holidays.

table track- a tablecloth in the form of a narrow strip passing through the entire table. This is one of the most modern ways decorate the table, especially if there is no desire to hide a beautiful wooden or glass table top completely under the fabric. These tracks are universal. They can be easily laid out on top of a regular tablecloth along the table, you can put them across and designate places for guests.
tablecloths must be on the festive table, especially if you want to emphasize the theme or color scheme laid table.

Napkins. There is no need to abandon tissue napkins in favor of disposable ones. They are an integral part of the table design. If you really don’t feel like doing their laundry after the holiday, then you should take a closer look at paper ones in a banquet style.
Placemat for cutlery determines the place for each guest. They can be not only rectangular, but also square (give modern look), and round (break the angularity of the table).

3. Central composition

On the festive table, there must certainly be a central composition that will decorate it. It will add volume and unite the entire table, but you need to remember that it should be low and narrow.
The main rule is that at least 35 cm should remain on each side for a person and his cutlery. Therefore, we subtract at least 70 cm from the width of the table, the rest of the space can be used for composition. For desktop composition we use flowers, candlesticks, twigs, pebbles.

There is no hostess who would not like to surprise the invited guests with her culinary dishes and feast. But in order for the guests to be completely satisfied with the event, the hostess must be able to sort and prepare the home table beautifully and correctly. Properly placed cutlery and treats produce the maximum effect on guests. What serving rules should any person know, as well as how to set the table?

Proper table setting is not only the arrangement of tableware, but also its decoration and decoration. Types of jewelry and dishes mainly depend on the upcoming holiday (birthday, wedding, family breakfast, lunch, dinner, etc.).

Basic rules of etiquette:

To quickly and easily cover the home table with a tablecloth, you need to place the folded fabric on the surface of the table, and then, lifting it by the edges, quickly lower your hands. Thanks to such actions, the fabric will lie evenly and beautifully.

Whether you are celebrating a birthday, or just going to have dinner with your family, in any case, the rules of etiquette for all situations are the same. Table service should be certain order and rules:

Basic rules for placing cutlery

From the first minutes, it seems to any person that it is impossible to remember the placement of all cutlery and dishes. In real life, all these rules are quite simple and are designed to facilitate the serving process. Every cutlery located in their order of priority. So, the most extreme of the devices are needed for first courses.

Most often confuse the correct location of cutlery, so before using, you should carefully consider their layout.

Important elements in table decoration

Napkins are considered the most important items in table decoration. There are several types of napkins: linen and paper. The first type of napkins is used under plates with great depth, if there are no snack dishes on the table, or on legs. Paper napkins are usually placed in the center of the table at arm's length from the guest. For a special look, the napkin can be rolled into some nice shape, for example, in a rose, a ship, a swan, or in any geometric figure. If napkins are used not only as an additional table decor, then it is important that they easily and simply unfold into a regular shape.

Also, when serving, you need to remember about seasonings and additives in the form of spices. Salt and pepper must be on the table without fail. At the same time, you do not need to fill the entire spice dish, it is enough that you fill the spices in half of the container. If meat dishes are included in the banquet menu, then mustard and horseradish should also be present on the table.

Table setting at home

When the weekend comes, families usually gather in one common circle at home, and the hostess prepares many different dishes. During the meal, relatives communicate with each other and tell interesting news or stories. This best time, to with table decoration and setting give the conversation a special coziness and comfort. So, even in home environment you can easily create the feeling of a small holiday. If there are children in the family, then such a dinner, lunch or breakfast will serve a good indicator how to behave at the table, why various devices were created and how to use them correctly.

• Breakfast. Correct and cozy breakfast able to give good mood the whole family for the day. In order for all dishes to look beautiful and aesthetically pleasing, you need to follow some rules and instructions. To begin with, you should put plates with snacks and sandwiches on the table, and then cups with saucers and teaspoons. In this case, the cups are located in the middle of the table, at the optimal level from the person. If breakfast will include boiled eggs, then they should be served in a special stand with a high leg. Porridge is placed in a bowl with a deep bottom and placed on a plate for snacks. It is customary to put dough products on a wide dish, while honey, butter, jam or jam should be on the table. To use oil each family member should have a small knife nearby. Also, the table must be decorated with napkins. It will be better if the napkins are made in the same style as the heater for the kettle. Remember about salt and sugar on the home table.
• Dinner. For lunch, first and second courses are usually prepared, sometimes dessert. So, to decorate the table for lunch, you will need use a lot more parting than for breakfast. To the dishes general type extra spoons, forks, and spatulas will be needed. Deep-bottomed plates and broth cups are placed on top of diners, and dessert plates are usually served towards the end of the meal, when the main dishes have already been eaten and dirty dishes removed. It is important to remember about the knives that you will need for fish or meat. For dishes such as zrazy, meatballs and cutlets, it will be enough to put one fork.
• Dinner. Serving and decorating the table for dinner is similar to the morning. Pancakes, pancakes or a pie are usually prepared for a common dish. Plates for dessert are taken out immediately, and next to them, with right side, have forks and knives. If the dinner has a romantic focus, then candles in special candlesticks are placed on or near the table.

The hostess should prepare for the festive meal with special effort and take care of all the details that decorate the table. Here the main thing is not only the classic rules of table setting, but also the combination of colors, and the sense of style of the owners of the holiday.

What are the rules to follow when festive serving table?

• Napkins and tablecloth. The color and color of things can be chosen at your choice, but it is important that both the napkins and the tablecloth are combined with each other. In this case, you can use the common white color or light shades of blue, cyan or green. For a romantic dinner, red, burgundy or pink color tablecloths and napkins. From napkins it is better to design unusual geometric figures or just roll them into a tube and decorate with a satin ribbon.
• Cutlery and crockery sets. Banquet table will go well with tableware unusual shape: geometric shapes, beautiful curved handles. A set of snow-white porcelain dishes will look best on the table. If the tablecloth and napkins on the table are also white, then you should choose dishes decorated with a kind of border.
• Candles. This table decor is well suited for wedding or romantic feasts; for a birthday, it is better to use candles only on the cake itself. It is also important to remember that candles must be placed in a special candlestick. It can have a narrow shape and a large height, or candles can be in bowls filled with special water and flower petals.
• Bouquets of flowers. To harmoniously decorate the table with flowers, you need to pick up vases correct form and kind. Tall types of vases are best used for birthday bouquets. For table setting, low vases will be more appropriate, which will not prevent guests from looking around. You also need to take into account the smell coming from the flowers, it should not be too harsh and should not interrupt the smell of the dishes.
• Unusual compositions. Various fruit compositions will look beautiful and unusual on the festive table. Depending on the season on the street, you can decorate the table with branches of spruce, mountain ash, cones, sea ​​stones and sand. Such unusual compositions can later be used to decorate the house.
• Table setting for a birthday. For a birthday for children, you should pick up plastic dishes and choose only those cutlery that do not have very pointed ends. The tablecloth for the table should be fun and colorful, you can choose the one that will show your favorite cartoon characters. Near unusual napkins, you can put a small gift next to it. If a girl celebrates her birthday, then various bouquets of flowers can be placed on the table. However, you should not overdo it with flowers, it is better to add more balloons or garlands. Also, near each chair there should be a sign with the name of each little guest, this will help to avoid various problems in the process of seating at the table.

Wedding table setting

Table setting for a wedding takes place in a special way. The color of the tablecloth and napkins that will decorate the table can be of any color. The main thing is to keep the entire wedding table setting in the same style and color. You should also take care of the plates with the names of the guests so that there are no difficulties with landing. Such things should be prepared in advance: it can be a cover with the name of the guest, an embroidered napkin, a piece of paper, or even a cookie decorated with an elegant inscription.

Also in a good way decorate the interior of the table and complement the bouquets of flowers and familiar balloons t use beautiful ribbons. To do this, place the ribbons above the table or decorate the guests' seats with them.