Entertaining is a fundamental pleasure for those who are proud of their home and is often the springboard for success in career or friendship.
If you are entertaining guests or work colleagues you might like to serve a three course meal in a slightly formal setting to impress them.
A clean, white table cloth will always make the table look elegant and classic. It is also easier to co-ordinate with other tableware and accessories. If you are using a rectangular table then a table runner would make it look spectacular. Decorative napkins or napkin rings can also accentuate the table setting.
The dinner plates should be placed neatly with regular intervals. If they have patterns you need to make sure that they are facing the same, right direction. The cutlery will be placed in the order it is to be used, from the outside. So the knife will be placed to the right of the plate, then the soup spoon or any other cutlery for the starter. To the left will be the folks. The desert spoon and fork will be placed above the plate, the bowl of the spoon facing left and the fork below facing right. The water glass will be placed above the knife followed by the red wine glass and then the white wine glass.
They all should be placed neat and tidy, but if you think there are too many of them you could remove the desert spoons and folks and bring them with the desert. Or you could use just one wine glass. The main purpose is to have an enjoyable dinner with your guests and not to intimidate them or make them nervous with too many knives, forks and glasses.
If you are having many guests you need to make sure there are enough salt & pepper sets and butter dishes on the table to prevent a “queue”. For finishing touches flowers and/or candles in the middle of the table will look elegant and beautiful but they should be small so that the guests can see and talk with other guests comfortably and without obstacles.
Also remember that old saying the more the merrier can also mean the more the chance of an accident. If any of your guests spills or drops anything, don’t make a fuss. Deal with it calmly; telling yourself and your guests that it is exactly what the household insurance is for.